Although the commercial property development market in the United States has cooled somewhat in the aftermath of the global economic crisis, many commercial property developers are continuing to grow, as evidenced by ongoing development projects in many communities across the country. If you are looking for a commercial property developer to partner on a construction project, there are a number of key guidelines to keep in mind as you navigate the selection process; Look for a track record of proven past experience. Has the contractor completed projects of similar size and scope in the past? Was the project completed successfully - on time and on budget?; Shop around. Solicit bids from a number of commercial property developers. Make your selection based not only on the proposal they return, but also your sense of how well you could work together; Count on word of mouth. If a trusted friend or business associate recommends a commercial property developer, take heed. In this era of shady business practices and fly-by-night firms, a word-of-mouth recommendation can be worth its weight in gold.