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A small portion of the city's commercial real estate is sold as co-ops or condominiums.

"An office condo is very similar to a residential condo," explains Jonata Dayan of Winoker Realty. "You basically own your space instead of leasing your space. So if you own your home, you may think it's a good idea to own your office space."

Just like residential condos, each tenant shares monthly common charges.

Only about one percent of the commercial buildings in the city offer this option to buy. But experts like Jonata Dayan say in a down market, it seems to be a growing trend, especially now that prices have dipped from last year.

Neil Wexler owns office space for his engineering firm in Midtown. He says it was much more cost effective for him to buy than to rent.

"We needed to invest money in computer cabling and stations and lighting and telephones and things of that nature which require a very high up-front cost," Wexler says. "So with that, we decided it would be better to invest for a long time."

The concept is best for businesses that have large capital improvements up front, like a doctor's office. Experts say to invest that money in a rental could leave you vulnerable, as the landlord knows you are not so quick to move and could get you on a rental increase.

Robert Freedman of FirstService Williams says now is a good time to invest in office sales because it's relatively easy to get financing.

"Office condominiums are more readily financeable because, in effect, you are leasing it back from yourself, so the banks know there is no lease uprisk, with respect to the commercial unit, and you can obtain more favorable terms and conditions," Freedman says.

The investment is probably only worth it, Freedman says, if you are looking to stay for at least 10 years.

Office condos and office co-ops offer a different ownership structure, but unlike in residential, the procedures and financing to buy into one is very similar.

Another benefit to owning your office space is that you also have control over the building, which means you have a say in how the building is maintained and managed.

Wexler says the tenants in his building just worked together to bring their monthly costs down, something he couldn't do in a rental. And, he says he finds that this commitment has offered him a sense of stability, even in these unstable times.