Do I have to join eXp to learn at KTO?

No. Open examples and paid learning are available to agents at any brokerage. Each offer explains its own access and support terms.

Is KTO Community the same as a CGP sales team?

No. KTO is the learning and community relationship. Sponsorship with Khai at eXp and joining a CGP sales team are separate decisions.

Where should I start with AI?

Try the fictional meeting-prep example on the AI page. It shows how to supply context, keep unknowns visible, and review the output before using it.

Does the AI Partner Kit include Khai’s full AI system?

No. The Kit teaches the Foundation. The Kit course is permanent; the wider Academy library and community are included for 90 days. Later-layer stories describe Khai’s own system, not included implementation services. Check the offer for the full scope and costs.

Where should I start with commercial real estate?

Try the first-conversation example on the CRE page, use the free CRE guides, and review the CRE Transition course. Actual property suitability and transaction terms need the appropriate verification and professional input.

Where can I compare eXp’s model?

Read the eXp Model Explained page and its official source links. Use the partnership page for a conversation about Khai as a sponsor and your needs. Sponsorship does not include a CGP sales-team role or KTO products; those are separate decisions and separate purchases.

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CRE

CAM, Taxes & Insurance: Questions to Ask Before Leasing

By Khai Tran · January 9, 2026 · 6 min read

Review the costs beyond base rent, including CAM definitions, caps, reconciliations, taxes, insurance, and questions about future increases.

Base rent is only one part of an occupancy budget. A tenant also needs to understand which operating expenses the lease passes through, how those charges are calculated, and when they may change.

The sections below organize the questions to ask about CAM, taxes, and insurance.

What Are CAM Charges? (Simple, Client-Friendly Definition)

CAM stands for Common Area Maintenance.

In plain language:

CAM charges cover the shared costs of operating and maintaining the property that all tenants benefit from.

Typical CAM Expenses Include

Parking lot maintenance and striping
Landscaping
Snow removal
Common area utilities
Property management fees

Key reminder: Check the lease definition of CAM and the supporting expense statements; the label alone does not tell you what is included.

Taxes & Insurance: Why Clients Lump Them Into CAM

Many clients think CAM is one big mystery bucket.

In reality, most CRE leases break expenses into three categories:

CAM
Property Taxes
Property Insurance

Together, these form the foundation of NNN (Triple Net) charges.

A Sample Explanation

“Think of rent as the cost of your space. CAM, taxes, and insurance are the cost of operating the building itself.”

Follow the explanation with the specific charges in the proposed lease.

CAM Charges Explained by Lease Type

Lease labels provide a starting point; read the expense provisions to confirm the actual obligations.

Full-Service (Gross) Lease

Specified expenses may be included in rent
The lease may pass through increases or exclude certain costs
Review the actual expense provisions

Modified Gross Lease

Base rent includes some expenses
Increases may passed through annually
CAM clarity still matters

NNN (Triple Net) Lease

Tenant pays:
Base rent
CAM
Taxes
Insurance
Most common in retail and industrial CRE

Ask which expenses are included, which are estimated, and which could change.

Five CAM Questions to Review

Use the lease and expense statements to work through these questions.

1. What’s Included, and What’s Excluded?

Ask:

Are capital expenditures included?
Is roof or structure excluded?
Are management fees capped?

Record any exclusions or limits and confirm their wording in the lease.

2. Are CAM Charges Capped?

A cap may limit specified increases; review its calculation, exclusions, and any cumulative provisions.

Look for:

Fixed percentage caps
CPI-based caps
Uncapped “actuals” language

Show how the proposed cap works and identify charges outside it.

3. How Are CAM Increases Calculated?

Clients want predictability.

Explain:

Historical CAM trends
How often reconciliations occur
Whether true-ups are common

Use the available statements to separate historical costs from estimates.

4. Who Controls the Numbers?

Property-managed vs owner-managed buildings matter.

Ask who prepares the CAM estimate, who reviews the annual reconciliation, and what supporting records are available. Regardless of who manages the property, review the calculation and supporting documents.

5. What’s the Worst-Case Scenario?

Discuss what could change the estimated occupancy cost.

Help them understand:

Exposure during major repairs
Tax reassessments
Insurance premium spikes

Show which costs are known and which remain uncertain.

A Simple CAM Charges Example (Use This with Clients)

Here is a simplified hypothetical example. It is not a complete occupancy budget or a promise about future charges:

“Your base rent is $12/SF. CAM estimated at $4/SF, taxes at $2, and insurance at $1. So, your all-in occupancy cost is closer to $19/SF. We still need to check the lease for other obligations and how these estimates can change.”

Check whether the proposed lease adds utilities, maintenance obligations, or other costs beyond these figures.

Common CAM Mistakes Agents Make

Mistake #1: Glossing Over CAM to ‘Keep Momentum’

Review the charges before asking the client to make a decision.

Mistake #2: Saying “It’s Standard”

Explain the actual provision and how it affects this tenant.

Mistake #3: Not Reviewing Past CAM Statements

Review available historical statements and explain their limits. Past costs do not guarantee future charges.

Keep a written list of the expense questions that remain open. Confirm the answers with the landlord or property manager and have lease provisions reviewed by the appropriate adviser.

Download my free 10 CRE Terms Guide to sharpen how you explain CAM, NNN, and lease structures.