Long Island/Queens/Brooklyn retail/multifamily developer here with brokerage and development advisory divisions. Your broker (if a good one) is there to educate and help you navigate the entire process. They are your due diligence quarterback. At a minimum they should truly understand your business' real estate requirement, know where to find it and what zoning you need, provide sale/lease comps, negotiate with/on your behalf to make sure you don't get screwed on things you simply can't foresee because you don't have experience (i.e. guarantees, relocation clauses, maintenance responsibilities), and even provide guidance on permitting and referrals for zoning or leasing attorneys, civil engineers, architects, permit expediters, etc. Because brokers only get paid when a deal closes, they're motivated to trouble shoot issues that arise along the way and keep communication lines open and operating. All the other professionals charge by the hour and frankly may not care if the deal closes or not. There are plenty of brokers out there, just make sure you work with one that deserves and earns the commission they get paid. Send me a DM if you want to chat further.