Let’s talk about a big decision that many dentists face when opening their own practice:
Should I buy the building, or just lease it?
If you’ve ever wrestled with the question of owning dental real estate, you’re not alone. In fact, it comes up all the time in our work with startup dentists across the country. And while owning can create long-term wealth, there are serious landmines to watch out for.
This guide will walk you through what to consider before you buy real estate for your dental practice—and how to avoid the painful (and expensive) mistakes we’ve seen too many doctors make.
Dental real estate ownership can be a smart financial move, but it’s not always the right one—especially if it’s your first time opening a practice.
That said, with the right planning and strategy, you can position yourself to buy with confidence (and sometimes even with no money out of pocket).
Ask yourself:
Will the building support your clinical and growth goals?
Are the physical characteristics (e.g., parking, access, zoning) aligned with smooth patient flow?
Can the purchase be structured to fit within your financing package?
Too often, we’ve seen doctors jump at a “good deal” on real estate—only to discover hidden costs that drain their startup budget and delay profitability.
Here’s a real-world checklist to help you sidestep the most common missteps:
✅ Know what makes a property truly dental-friendly (think: elevators, stairs, ADA compliance, parking ratios)
✅ Understand when and how to roll all costs into your financing—even your equipment and construction
✅ Watch out for environmental report red flags, delayed permits, and surprise infrastructure upgrades
✅ Don’t assume “top of budget” means “out of reach” when a solid strategy could make it achievable
These aren’t theories—they’re lessons from the trenches, based on hundreds of startups we've supported.
Want a deep-dive into real estate strategy?
Schedule a Consultation Call and get one-on-one guidance for your specific location or timing.
If you decide ownership is the right move, there’s a tight 60-day plan we teach our clients to help protect the investment and preserve profitability.
Here’s who you’ll need in your corner:
✅ A dental-specific attorney who knows the clauses and contracts that matter most
✅ A lender who understands how to bundle real estate + build-out financing
✅ A team that can help negotiate leasebacks or smart ownership terms tailored for dental practices
Whether you're opening your first office or adding a second location, the key is strategy over emotion. Because real estate done right can unlock freedom, equity, and tax advantages for decades.
We dedicate an entire session to real estate strategy at the Startup Practice Blueprint Course, our once-a-year training for practice owners who want to start strong—with confidence and clarity.
Inside the course, you’ll learn how to:
Evaluate properties with dental-specific success factors
Decide when ownership makes sense based on demographics and long-term ROI
Avoid the hidden traps of overbuilding, zoning surprises, and poor deal structure
Reserve your seat here to learn how top-performing startup owners make real estate work for them—not the other way around.
You don’t have to lease forever—and you don’t have to buy right away.
But if you make your decision with strategy, support, and smart analysis, your real estate move could become one of the most powerful wealth-building levers in your entire career.
Let’s build your dream practice—and the foundation it sits on—with intention.