Guides/Washington DC/Single-Tenant Net Lease
Single-Tenant Net LeaseWashington DC

Single-Tenant Net Lease Investment in Washington DC

Single-tenant net lease properties in DC draw heavy interest from 1031 buyers and yield-focused investors. Government contractors and defense firms make solid tenants, but you'll see cap rate compression on anything investment-grade. GSA-leased properties trade at premiums. Corporate sale-leasebacks from defense contractors create decent flow. The key is finding properties with solid tenant credit before lease expiration hits. Most action happens in NoVA corridors near federal facilities.

Market Context

Cap Rate Range

5.5%-7.5% depending on tenant credit and lease term remaining

Current Vacancy

8-12% for retail tenants, minimal for government-backed properties

Rent Trend

2-3% annual escalations standard, government tenants often have CPI adjustments

Absorption

Steady demand from defense contractors and government services in NoVA

Price Per Unit Trend

Investment-grade tenants seeing $200-400 PSF, sub-investment grade $150-250 PSF

Transaction Volume

Government-backed properties moving quickly, corporate tenants taking 6-9 months to close

Submarket Analysis

Tysons Corner / Route 7 Corridor

5.5%-6.5% cap

Vacancy

5-8%

Avg Rent (1BR)

$35-45 NNN

Defense contractors prefer this area. Rents hold steady.

OM Tip

Highlight proximity to government agencies and Metro access for federal employees

Crystal City / Pentagon City

5.0%-6.0% cap

Vacancy

3-6%

Avg Rent (1BR)

$40-50 NNN

Amazon HQ2 spillover benefits. Government tenants pay premium.

OM Tip

Focus on walkability scores and proximity to federal buildings

Bethesda / Rockville

6.0%-7.0% cap

Vacancy

8-12%

Avg Rent (1BR)

$30-40 NNN

NIH and biotech tenants. Some rent pressure from new supply.

OM Tip

Medical tenants need specialized buildouts - include improvement allowance history

DC Proper / K Street

5.5%-6.5% cap

Vacancy

10-15%

Avg Rent (1BR)

$45-55 NNN

Lobbying firms downsizing. Association tenants more stable.

OM Tip

TOPA requirements affect value - include detailed compliance documentation

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What Your OM Needs to Address

Full lease abstract with all amendments

Government and defense contractor leases have complex modification histories

Data to Include

Original lease, all amendments, renewal exercised dates, security deposit details, and any rent abatement periods

Dark store and going-dark provisions

Corporate tenants often negotiate favorable dark store rights that kill property value

Data to Include

Exact language on dark store provisions, co-tenancy requirements, and any kick-out clauses tied to sales performance

Tenant financial performance

Government contractor revenues can be lumpy based on contract cycles

Data to Include

Three years of tenant financials, current contract pipeline, and any government contract concentration risk

Rent escalation schedule

CPI escalations common with government tenants but can vary by lease vintage

Data to Include

Detailed escalation schedule, any caps on CPI increases, and comparison to market rent at lease expiration

Assignment and subletting rights

Government contractors often get acquired - need clean assignment language

Data to Include

Assignment consent requirements, any recapture rights, and subletting profit-sharing arrangements

Property tax and assessment trends

DC and surrounding counties have different tax treatment for NNN properties

Data to Include

Five-year tax history, any pending assessments, and comparison of effective tax rates across jurisdictions

Investment Outlook

Short Term

Cap rates stable at current levels. Government tenant demand stays strong but corporate tenants getting pickier about space. Sale-leaseback activity from defense contractors should continue as they focus capital on operations rather than real estate.

Medium Term

Interest rate environment will determine cap rate movement more than fundamentals. Government spending stable but corporate tenants may consolidate space. Properties with 5-7 years remaining lease term will see most investor interest.

Long Term

Remote work impact on office-using tenants unclear but government contractors still need secure facilities. Properties near transit and federal installations should hold value. Climate requirements for government tenants will drive capital investment needs.

Buyer Profile

1031 exchange buyers dominate sub-$5M deals. Institutional buyers focus on government-backed tenants with 10+ year terms. Private investors will take corporate credit if the yield spread is 75-100 basis points above government tenants.

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