4 Questions Dealer Principals Should Be Asking About Their Real Estate

4 Questions Dealer Principals Should Be Asking About Their Real Estate

At some point, every dealer principal should consider how their real estate fits into their long-term strategy.

Your dealership may be performing at a high level—but a significant amount of capital may still be tied up in the real estate.

Understanding your options requires evaluating your business, marketconditions, and long-term financial goals.

1) Do you know what your dealership real estate is worth today?

Many dealers are surprised to learn how much capital is tied up in their real estate—and how that value has changed in today’s market. Understanding current value is the first step in evaluating your options.

2) Is your real estate working as hard as your dealership?

While your dealership generates operating income, your real estate may be sitting idle from a capital standpoint. A sale-leaseback allows you to unlock that equity and put it to work.

3) Could your real estate fund your next move?

Dealers are using sale-leasebacks to:
  • Fund acquisitions
  • Execute partner buyouts
  • Complete OEM image programs
  • Strengthen liquidity
Your real estate can be a strategic source of capital—not just a fixed asset.

4) Do you have a plan for the capital tied up in your real estate?

Unlocking capital is one step—but knowing how to deploy it is just as important.

Many dealers are using sale-leasebacks as part of a broader capital strategy to grow and diversify.

If you are interested in learning more about how Legacy can support your next project, please contact:

AUSTIN WOLFINGTON
610.304.9347 • Austin@legacyautocapital.com

TODD MARCELLE
914.671.8871 • Todd@legacyautocapital.com

Request Complimentary Valuation

How To Reduce Your Exposure to Turbulent Markets

How To Reduce Your Exposure to Turbulent Markets

With uncertain times in place, Legacy’s sale-leaseback capital program provides dealers with immediate liquidity to boost their cash positions and weather the storm.

  • Focus on liquidity, cash is king in uncertain markets
  • Legacy acquires real estate from dealer and closes in 6 weeks
  • Dealer remains in a comfortable cash position differentiating them from their competitors

If you are interested in learning more about how Legacy can support your next project, please contact:

AUSTIN WOLFINGTON
610.304.9347 • Austin@legacyautocapital.com

TODD MARCELLE
914.671.8871 • Todd@legacyautocapital.com

Request Complimentary Valuation

Acquisition Announcement

Acquisition Announcement

Legacy Automotive Capital is pleased to announce the successful closing of a non-luxury, public-tenant occupied dealership in the Atlanta MSA.

The transaction required expedited execution to meet critical closing timelines set by the corporate seller—highlighting the importance of speed, coordination, and certainty in today’s market.

We appreciate the collaboration from all parties involved and look forward to supporting continued growth across the automotive retail sector. If you are interested in learning more about how Legacy can support your next project, please contact:

AUSTIN WOLFINGTON
610.304.9347 | Austin@legacyautocapital.com

TODD MARCELLE
914.671.8871 | Todd@legacyautocapital.com

Request Complimentary Valuation

Use Case For Capital: Retirement & Generational Passdown

Use Case For Capital: Retirement & Generational Passdown

Dealers spend their life on the value of their business to benefit their family.

How does a dealer pass along their life’s work while also obtaining cash for retirement?

Solution

If you are interested in learning more about how Legacy can support your next project, please contact:

AUSTIN WOLFINGTON
610.304.9347 • Austin@legacyautocapital.com

TODD MARCELLE
914.671.8871 • Todd@legacyautocapital.com

Request Complimentary Valuation

Dealing with an unexpected Tax Bill?

Dealing with an unexpected Tax Bill?

An unexpected tax bill from the passing of a partner or patriarch can create financial strain for car dealers. A sale-leaseback strategy unlocks real estate equity, providing the liquidity needed to cover estate taxes without disrupting operations or taking on restrictive debt. This approach ensures business continuity, preserves cash flow, and allows dealers to retain control while meeting financial obligations. A smart solution for navigating unforeseen challenges.

If you are interested in learning more about how Legacy can support your next project, please contact:

AUSTIN WOLFINGTON
610.304.9347 • Austin@legacyautocapital.com

TODD MARCELLE
914.671.8871 • Todd@legacyautocapital.com

SOLUTION

  • Sale-leaseback unlocks real estate equity to cover estate taxes without disrupting operations.
  • Provides liquidity without taking on restrictive debt or impacting cash flow.
  • Ensures business continuity while meeting financial obligations.
  • Allows dealers to retain control of their business during transitions.
  • A strategic solution for navigating unforeseen financial challenges.

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NADA Success Story – 2

NADA Success Story

With equity costs increasing and the lending market increasingly inefficient, a top dealer sought a market alternative.

Legacy provided a quick close solution to recapitalize the dealer through a Sale-Leaseback of 2 Hyundai Stores, a retail property, and a Collision Center in Massachusetts.

"Legacy was a great partner in helping us continue our growth by offering exceptional terms and streamlined closing process. The team at Legacy truly understands how to partner with Dealers.”
Matt McGovern
CEO of McGovern Auto Group

If you are interested in learning more about how Legacy can support your next project, please contact:

AUSTIN WOLFINGTON
610.304.9347 • Austin@legacyautocapital.com

TODD MARCELLE
914.671.8871 • Todd@legacyautocapital.com

Request Complimentary Valuation

NADA Success Story

NADA Success Story

With equity costs increasing and the lending market increasingly inefficient, a top dealer sought a market alternative.

Legacy provided a quick close solution to recapitalize the dealer through Sale-Leaseback of 1 Kia store outside New York City and 1 CDJR store outside Albany, NY. 

"We continue to be focused on expanding our dealership network and Legacy offered a way to provide us with a competitive advantage in the Buy/Sell marketplace by unlocking the value in our real estate. Legacy offered the most competitive terms by a significant margin and was able to execute and close quickly. We look forward to partnering with them on future deals”
Brian Dennis
CEO of Dennis and Co.

If you are interested in learning more about how Legacy can support your next project, please contact:

AUSTIN WOLFINGTON
610.304.9347 • Austin@legacyautocapital.com

TODD MARCELLE
914.671.8871 • Todd@legacyautocapital.com

Request Complimentary Valuation

Year in review 2025

Year in review 2025

As Legacy wraps up an incredible 2025, we’re proud to reflect on the growth and success of our customers who allowed us to close more transactions than any year in our history.

This year, we expanded our portfolio with top-tier dealerships on both coasts and throughout the Midwest United States.

  • LAC welcomed Multiple New Public Tenants.
  • LAC helped single point dealers achieve their life long dreams
  • LAC launched our first deals in our construction capital program

Looking ahead, we’re excited for even greater opportunities in 2026! Thank you for your trust and partnership.

If you are interested in learning more about how Legacy can support your next project, please contact:

AUSTIN WOLFINGTON
610.304.9347 • Austin@legacyautocapital.com

TODD MARCELLE
914.671.8871 • Todd@legacyautocapital.com

Request Complimentary Valuation

What Should a Dealership Lease Contain

What Should a Dealership Lease Contain

How it works:

  • Dealer Acquires Blue Sky
  • Legacy Acquires Real Estate in a simultaneous close
  • Dealer Maintains Real Estate Control through up to 75 years of Lease Rights

How dealers win:

  • Their Cash goes further. Dealers can buy more stores and better stores
  • Balance sheet is clear of large real estate loans

If you are interested in learning more about how Legacy can support your next project, please contact:

AUSTIN WOLFINGTON
610.304.9347 • Austin@legacyautocapital.com

TODD MARCELLE
914.671.8871 • Todd@legacyautocapital.com

Request Complimentary Valuation