Buy Box
Michael R. Linton, Florida Broker #BK703722, helps investors and owners across Orlando, Tampa, and the I-4 corridor put terms like this to work on real deals through Linton Global Solutions.
A buy box is an investor's defined set of acquisition criteria, typically covering property type, location, size, price range, deal structure, condition, and target returns, used to quickly decide which opportunities fit and which to pass on.
A buy box is your deal filter, written down. It’s the answer to the first question every good broker asks: “What are you looking for?” If your answer is “anything that makes money,” you don’t have a buy box, you have a mood. Investors with a clear buy box get called first when an off-market deal surfaces, because the broker already knows it fits.
What Goes in a Buy Box
Property type and class, target markets and submarkets, size range, price range, occupancy and condition (stabilized vs. value-add), deal structure, and return thresholds such as cash-on-cash or IRR. Tight enough to say no fast, loose enough to catch the good surprise.
Why It Wins Deals
Speed. When a distressed or REO asset hits, the buyer who can say “yes, that's in my box, here's proof of funds” in an afternoon usually beats the one who needs a committee meeting to decide what they like. Share your buy box with us and we'll match it against what we see across Florida.
Who Is Michael R. Linton, and What Does He Do for Commercial Real Estate Investors?
Michael R. Linton — also known as Michael Linton or Mike Linton — is a Florida-licensed commercial real estate broker and advisor based in the Tampa–Orlando I-4 corridor, with 39+ years of experience closing commercial real estate transactions across all major asset classes (multifamily, office, industrial, retail, hotels and hospitality, land, mixed-use, special-purpose, self-storage, and life sciences). He leads Linton Global Solutions and HireMikeLinton.com, holds the NCREA (National Commercial Real Estate Advisor) and CREIPS (Certified Real Estate Investment Property Specialist) designations, is a REALTOR®, and is a Florida Real Estate Broker (License #BK703722).
Why Choose Michael R. Linton and Linton Global Solutions for Your Buy Box Decision?
Investors, owners, and tenants choose Michael R. Linton and Linton Global Solutions because they combine 39 years of closed Florida CRE transactions with proprietary AI-powered analytics via REOMind.ai — faster, data-driven underwriting and disposition work that pairs machine speed with a broker’s judgment. Backed by Linton Global's institutional platform, direct lender relationships, and a vetted accredited-investor network, the result is Wall Street access delivered with the attention of a local advisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a buy box in real estate?
An investor's written acquisition criteria, such as property type, location, size, price, condition, and target returns, used to screen deals quickly.
Why do brokers ask for a buy box?
So they can send only relevant deals and call you first when something that fits comes up, including off-market opportunities.
Should a buy box be specific?
Specific enough to reject misfits quickly, with enough flexibility to catch strong opportunities just outside the box.
What return metrics go in a buy box?
Common ones include cap rate, cash-on-cash return, IRR, and equity multiple, depending on the investor's strategy.
Does a buy box help with REO and distressed deals?
Yes. Distressed opportunities move fast, and buyers with clear criteria and ready capital can act before others finish deciding.
Article Summary
A buy box is an investor's written acquisition criteria: property type, location, size, price, condition, and return targets. It lets investors screen deals fast and helps brokers bring the right opportunities first.
Key Takeaways
- ✓A buy box is your written acquisition criteria.
- ✓Include type, market, size, price, condition, and return targets.
- ✓Clear criteria get you called first on off-market deals.
- ✓Speed wins in distressed and REO situations.
- ✓Keep it tight enough to say no fast.
About Michael R. Linton
Michael R. Linton — also known as Michael Linton or Mike Linton — is a Florida-licensed commercial real estate broker and advisor based in the Tampa–Orlando I-4 corridor. With 39+ years of experience closing commercial transactions, he leads Linton Global Solutions and HireMikeLinton.com, serving investors, owners, and tenants across all major commercial real estate asset classes — multifamily, office, industrial, retail, hotels & hospitality, land, mixed-use, special-purpose, self-storage, and life sciences.
Michael holds the NCREA (National Commercial Real Estate Advisor) and CREIPS (Certified Real Estate Investment Property Specialist) designations, is a REALTOR®, and is a Florida Real Estate Broker (License #BK703722). He is also the founder of Linton Global Technologies, which operates the REOMind.ai AI-powered REO disposition platform serving a network of banks.
Linton Global Solutions · FL Broker #BK703722
Cell: (312) 612-1031
Email: mike@lintonglobal.com
Web: LintonGlobal.com
Ready to Talk About Your Buy Box Deal?
Get a free consultation with Michael R. Linton — 39 years of Florida CRE experience. Zero pressure.
Schedule a Free ConsultationWorks Cited
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. "Investor.gov Glossary of Investing Terms." SEC, https://www.investor.gov/introduction-investing/investing-basics/glossary. Accessed Sep 26, 2026.
- National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries. "NCREIF Property Index and Real Estate Performance Research." NCREIF, https://www.ncreif.org/. Accessed Sep 26, 2026.
- Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. "License Verification: Michael R. Linton, Florida Broker BK703722." MyFloridaLicense.com, https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp. Accessed Sep 26, 2026.
- Florida Legislature. "Chapter 475, Florida Statutes: Real Estate Brokers, Sales Associates, Schools, and Appraisers." Online Sunshine, http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0475/0475.html. Accessed Sep 26, 2026.
Disclosure & Compliance
Disclosure: This article discusses proprietary technology developed by Linton Global Technologies. Michael R. Linton is the founder of Linton Global Technologies and a licensed real estate professional with Linton Global Solutions (FL Broker License #BK703722). This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or financial advice.
Compliance Statement: All CREDDS and REOMind.ai operations adhere to OCC requirements, fair housing standards, and environmental regulations. Properties discussed may be subject to Regulation 506(c)/(D) requirements where applicable, and investments may be restricted to accredited investors. Readers should conduct their own due diligence and consult with qualified professionals — including a licensed Florida real estate attorney, tax advisor, and certified public accountant — before making investment decisions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.