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Why Brokers Won’t Return Entrepreneurs’ Calls

It’s a common complaint among entrepreneurs looking for office space. Why don’t brokers call them back? The truth is that the majority of brokers do return inquiries.

At OfficeSpace.com, we’ve found that how you phrase your initial request about space has a huge impact on whether or not you get a response. After analyzing 10,000 email requests in the last six months, here’s what we’ve determined to be the top three types of requests that do not get responded to quickly.

The wishy-washy entrepreneur

When inquiring on a space, you have a wide range of what will work for you. You may have a huge range of space that you might need, and you don’t say when you need the space. You might need it right away or you might need it in six months. It can be fully built-out space or a wide-open bullpen.

While you might get lucky with a broker who is willing to spend the time extra time talking to you and helping you figure out what you truly need, most brokers won’t know how to prioritize their response for you as they fear you are not serious or that you will require a lot of work.

The short-term entrepreneur

You request a month-to-month lease or something short term (less than one year). If you’re requesting a short-lease term you might as well be saying please do not call me back as far as a broker is concerned. This is fine to request if you are looking at a sublease or executive suite, but it’s not realistic for most landlords, so brokers will not want to waste their time with you.

The secretive entrepreneur

You don’t include enough personal information like your full name, company and any further details or descriptions of what the business use is for the space you’re inquiring about. The only thing you tell the broker is that details on the company are “under wraps.”

Brokers tend to de-prioritize these kinds of inquiries, because it gives them the impression that your business could be dangerous or illegal, which is obviously something the landlord would not allow in their building.

While it’s normal for entrepreneurs to want to keep details of their companies private for competitive reasons, there needs to be a balance with providing the necessary details for landlords. They will want to see financials and even a business plan if you are a startup with no track record.

Best practices

Based on our analysis, providing your full name, company name and specific details are ideal. For example, you might say that you are currently in a 5,000 square-foot space and are looking for bigger space, need a kitchen, two conference rooms and access to storage.

You can also count on a faster call back by including details that show that you’re an established company or what your timing is. You don’t need to divulge all your information, just enough to make the broker know that you are serious.  It’s not imperative that you sound like you know everything, just that you are serious.

So, the next time you spend the time to make the calls or emails to a broker, remember to give enough details and be thoughtful to get the fastest response back.

To get more answers to common tenant-related questions, visit our FAQ page.

This article was written by Susie Algard and  originally featured on Entrepreneur.com. See original source here: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/235894

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Startups, Get Your Finances in Order Before Leasing Office Space

This post was authored by Nathan Smith, a commercial real estate consultant and owner of Austin Tenant Advisors. 

As a startup or new business owner it’s important to be financially prepared before starting the process of looking for and leasing office space. Gathering your financial information and making your startup look financially strong in the eyes of a Landlord takes longer than you think so you want to do this well in advance. By preparing in advance you better your chances of gaining the Landlord’s confidence in your tenancy and increase your chances of negotiating better office lease concessions such as tenant improvements, rental abatements, etc.

Similar to how banks preapprove you for a loan, Landlords want to make sure you are financially qualified before they lease you office space, especially in hot markets like Austin, TX.   They will be investing time, resources, tenant improvements and other lease concessions in your tenancy so it’s imperative that you prove your financial ability & stability to pay any upfront costs and rent for the duration of the lease term.

Proving that your startup company is financially qualified takes more than a great business idea, having a large 401k, or a big expensive house.

If you are a startup company that has been around for a few years Landlords want to see current profit & loss statements, cash flows, balance sheets, and/or other sources of financing and funding. Depending on the landlord’s perception of your financials you may need to securitize the lease with a security deposit, letter of credit (LOC), personal guaranty or a combination of the latter. Your financial strength, lease term length, total lease amount, tenant improvement costs, & lease commissions will determine the amount needed to securitize the lease.

If you are a brand new startup with no track record or you’re an existing one with weak financials Landlord’s will probably want the person signing the lease to provide 2-3 years of personal tax returns and/or a personal financial statement. Depending on the Landlord’s perception of those personal financial statements they may require that the lease be personally guaranteed, need a larger security deposit, or need a letter of credit (LOC) that will cover the landlords up front costs to do the deal (e.g. tenant improvements, lease commissions, etc.).

Before you begin the search for office space, make sure you have your financials in order and have them ready to show Landlords. You might also consider having your business plan and pro-forma available to show your current and future financial projections.

Do all that you can to put your best foot forward, however because you are a startup Landlord’s still may require you to sign a personal guarantee, pay a larger security deposit, or have a letter of credit (LOC). You only get one shot at making a good impression! The more prepared you are and the better your finances look the better chance you have at proving to the Landlord that you can pay rent AND in receiving office lease concessions.

Nathan-K-Smith-Austin-commercial-realty-services-200x300

Nathan Smith specializes in helping startups companies find, lease and/or purchase office space in Austin, TX. He has advised over 300 companies in finding the best office locations, negotiate new leases and lease renewals, facilitate relocations and expansions. Outside the office Nathan enjoys hanging out with his wife and two children in Bee Cave, TX and is an avid runner and cyclist that participates in many local triathlons and running events.

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5 Lease-Term Questions Facing Every Entrepreneur

Now that you have chosen a space that meets your company’s needs, the next step is negotiating your office lease. One of the most important decisions for a company to make during this process is deciding how long they want to stay in that space.

Prior to starting your space search, and definitely prior to making any commitments on a lease term, ask yourself these 5 questions.

1. Do I anticipate changes that might affect my future space needs? A space that works for your company today doesn’t mean it will work for you a year or two down the road. It’s also important to consider whether the space will be effective in attracting the right kind of talent as your company grows.

As a new company, you might simply be relieved that someone let you lease some space, but recruiting a team is easier in some spaces than others.

2. Will I need to invest in improving the space or is it move-in ready? If you need flexibility in the term of your lease, and the space requires a lot of build out, don’t expect the landlord to pay for that.

Landlords expect to make their money back on any tenant improvement allowance by including these costs in your lease rate or term. Hence, a substantial investment in improvements may force you into a longer-term lease by amortizing the improvements over a longer period of time.

Be prepared to pay for tenant improvements out of pocket for shorter-term leases or expect a longer-term request from the landlord. Tenant improvements are never free.

3. Is the rent likely to increase in the future? Keep an eye on the local office market to get a general idea of rental rate trends. If using a broker, take advantage of their market expertise. Market comps are valuable data that a good broker can get for you.

Ask them to provide comps for the same building and comparable buildings to help you determine the trends. If considerable rental spikes are expected in the future, consider locking in a longer-term lease at the current rate.

4. Exactly how important is location for my business? Although primarily applicable to retail businesses, it’s always worth considering the potential impact of a space’s location. Your location may be important for attracting talent, situating yourself strategically among complementary and competing companies, establishing your brand and so forth.

If the success of your company depends heavily on location, or your company becomes more valuable because customers can find you easily, consider securing that space for a longer period of time. On the other hand, if your business isn’t particularly driven by location, you can be more flexible with the lease term. Finding a comparable space likely won’t be an issue, should the landlord decide not to renew your lease.

5. Will my rent be lower if I sign for a longer term? This is the trick question! Most entrepreneurs think that they must sign a longer lease to get the best deal. While landlords (and brokers) are happy to work with longer term leases, and will reward this with better incentives, that does not mean that this is a better deal for your company overall.

Lease term is one of the most important parts of your lease. Many brokers will admit their clients do not negotiate carefully enough. Ask yourself the right questions early to help you negotiate a term that works for your company’s current and future plans.

To get more information about lease term best practices other tenant-related topics, visit our FAQ.

This article was written by Susie Algard and  originally featured on Entrepreneur.com. See original source here: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/235894

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When Does it Make Sense to Use a Broker to Find Office Space?

With the explosive growth of small businesses in the U.S., more entrepreneurs are finding themselves negotiating and closing leases without the help of a broker. While at times it makes sense to do this, using a broker in the right scenario can greatly assist in securing the best possible lease for you and your company.

Before deciding whether you need extra help, it’s important to understand what motivates brokers and how they can benefit you during a lease transaction.

Getting their attention. Knowing how brokers get paid is important to understanding their motivations — and why sometimes, they don’t return your calls. Most brokers get paid a percentage of your total lease value, which is typically between 3 and 5 percent. However, this often isn’t the full amount your broker will receive, as they usually have to share a percentage of their commission with their brokerage companies.

Getting to a signed lease can be a lot of work. This can involve conference calls or face-to-face meetings, searching for spaces that satisfy your requirements, setting up and attending property tours and actual lease negotiations themselves.

A broker will have to do these steps for a company regardless of if they’re looking for 10,000 square feet of space or 500 square feet of space, but the difference in size means that the amount the broker receives will be significantly different.

This is why you might want to — or have to — represent yourself in a lease transaction for a smaller space. If your space requirements are bigger or more complicated, then there are instances where using a broker may be in your best interest. To better understand the potential costs of working with a broker, check out our FAQ.

Knowing the landlord landscape. It’s tempting for experienced entrepreneurs to think that they can deal with the landlord directly and save money by not using a broker, expecting that the landlord will pass savings on to them. While there may be times when this is true, there are just as many situations where it isn’t necessarily the case.

While you might do a lease transaction every three to five years, brokers do many deals every month. The end result is that brokers are likely to know more about the landlords operating in the local area than you do. They know the property owning landscape well: who is flexible, who is motivated and who will go the extra mile to accommodate a tenant.

For example, let’s say you are a growing company with the stability to sign a long-term lease if desired, but want to retain a short-term lease for greater growth flexibility. In situations such as this, an experienced broker can guide you to spaces with landlords who are not only flexible, but can accommodate you in alternative buildings while under your current lease.

Let’s say you run out of space two years into a five-year lease, you may have the option to transfer your lease terms and move to a larger space in their portfolio. Additionally, as opposed to having to take a large space that is intended to be grown into, a broker may be able to negotiate rights of first refusal on adjacent spaces one or two years into your lease term, saving you from paying that rent from the onset.

Striking a creative deal. A broker may also be able to work out a plan that works best for your company’s financial needs by getting creative with how your rent escalation is constructed. If you are working on a product launch that runs on an 18-month cycle, a broker may work with you to escalate your rent accordingly instead of a traditional 12-month rent increase cycle.

If you are facing a scenario where you may have run out of space completely, they may even be able to negotiate a lease buyout with the landlord so that you can move into their new space without paying double rent.

There are no hard and fast rules on when to work with a broker. Before putting in a lot of work shaving a few percentage points off your lease by saving the landlord from a commission, ask yourself if you’re paying for something that you shouldn’t have to or if there’s any flexibility that is worth more to your company than the rent savings.

These factors could amount to much more savings than the commission saved and passed to you.

This article was written by Susie Algard and  originally featured on Entrepreneur.com. See original source here: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/235529

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Broker Banter Q&A – Part II (The Denver Chapter)

This week we have the pleasure of sharing another Q&A for our Broker Banter series, featuring Denver Broker Jason Bollhoefner.  Similar to our previous conversation with Portland broker Kristi Ricker, we connected with Jason to get more insight into some key things that tenants should know before touring potential sites, selecting a space, and negotiating a lease.

OfficeSpace: What are some things that tenants typically overlook when looking for new space that they should be paying attention to?

Jason:  Commercial leasing is a complex process, fraught with significant potential risks and liabilities, and should only be handled by a representative that has both the necessary experience and your best interests in place.  I have found tenants tend to overlook the importance of their creditworthiness and the time required to bring a commercial lease transaction to close.  Leasing commercial space is very comparable to getting a loan from a bank.  Tenants should be prepared to share financial statements and to appropriately collateralize the lease transaction.

Commercial real estate transactions, even for a seemingly “simple” deal, may take a considerable amount of time to successfully complete.  Having adequate time to identify, tour, design, price, negotiate terms on, construct or improve, and move into suitable commercial space helps to shift negotiating leverage to the tenant’s benefit.  Start the process 4-8 months before you need to occupy your new space.

OfficeSpace: What are the best practices to selecting the best space?

Jason: The best space is the space which meets unique criteria that vary by industry, property type, the nature of the user’s business and their business plan, and location.  I ensure a successful process by taking the time to understand the intricacies of my clients and their businesses up-front so the real estate supports these needs and requirements.

OfficeSpace: What are the best practices in negotiating my lease?

Jason: The best practices in negotiating a lease are summarized into 4 critical path items as follows:

  1. Start your needs analysis and discussion well before the need is estimated to commence.
  2. Engage an expert commercial real estate broker with proven experience and leverage their knowledge; we are here to help you starting with the needs analysis and continuing from occupancy throughout your lease term.
  3. Always have a solid back-up option at hand, especially in an improving real estate market. Being prepared to walk away is a very powerful aspect of successful negotiation.
  4. Engage a real estate attorney to provide counsel and revise the lease document.

OfficeSpace: What are the hidden costs in a lease?

Jason: Your real estate broker should be well versed and provide assistance in mitigating latent/hidden costs within the lease agreement.  The primary area of hidden costs arise from Operating Expenses or Common Area Maintenance (CAM) charges and maintenance obligations.  Other potential pitfalls include Tenant Restoration requirements, Tenant Alteration processes, landlord administrative markups, and property management fees. My experience  negotiating thousands of lease agreements is invaluable to my clients in these areas.

OfficeSpace: What’s the best way to compare offers?

Jason: The best way to compare offers is on a Net Present Value (NPV) basis and $/RSF basis with a matrix for a side by side comparison.  This analysis should also take into account intangibles such as building image, proximity to employees and clients, ease of ingress/egress, and the true cost of occupancy including any tenant contributions to build-out and relocation costs.

Jason Bollhoefner joined Corum Real Estate Group as a Leasing Agent in January 2001 and was promoted to Senior Leasing Agent in 2007 and to his current position as Assistant Vice President in 2008.

Find office, retail or industrial space by visiting: /Denver-CO

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Broker Banter – Questions & Answers (The Portland Chapter)

We’re the first to admit we don’t always have all the answers when it comes to the fine details of leasing and all the questions that come with it. That’s when we turn to our commercial comrades to aid with the broadening of our knowledge base.  This week we’ve gone straight to the source to speak with Portland, OR broker Kristi Ricker.

We connected with Kristi to talk shop, and in fact, where to set up shop.

OfficeSpace: What do you think is the most important question a tenant should be asking, that they never seem to ask when looking for space?

Kristi: Zoning, tenants need to learn more out about zoning. There are so many issues in this area and if you’re not aware of this in the beginning it could hurt your chances of securing your ideal space. It’s something you should ask your broker about as they’ll be able to determine how to move forward in narrowing down your search. It’s just not something that’s on the top of your mind when you’re looking for a space and it definitely should be.

OfficeSpace: What is the best tip in negotiating a lease you think all tenants should consider? 

Kristi: The longer the lease, the better you’re going to be able to negotiate, especially if you are going to need anything done to your space. People are nervous with the idea of securing a 5 year lease, they think “What if something happens?” – but they can always put a clause in allowing them to sublease (A lease of a property by a tenant to a subtenant.).

OfficeSpace: What do tenants focus on, that perhaps they shouldn’t when searching for space?

Kristi: Recently, I’ve had clients who have looked at a space and were concerned the buildings around it were being worked on or unfinished. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always paint a pretty picture of the neighborhood, especially when it’s an up and coming urban area. I recommend looking at the bigger finished picture and inquiring about what’s being developed in the area.

OfficeSpace: What area of town would you recommend to a Start-Up in Portland?

Kristi: The inner Southeast, Northeast and North Portland are very hot right now. They were predominantly industrial areas and now they’ve turned into these very creative pockets with great opportunities for startups, restaurants, retail and more.

OfficeSpace: What are you starting to see more of in Portland?

Kristi: Tons of startups, restaurants, breweries, delis – there’s a great food scene here.

OfficeSpace: And lastly, what makes Portland great?

Kristi: Portland‘s so diverse, we have a little bit of everything for everyone. Everything goes here – that’s what I love about it. I see all these new ideas here and they seem to work. If you have a crazy, fun new idea, there’s a great support network for that here. It just seems out of the ordinary things work here more than other places. Nothing is guaranteed but your chances of making it a go seems to have better odds in Portland.

Kristi has over 15 years of real estate experience in the greater Portland area and has recently started her own company.

Need Office, Retail or Industrial Space in Portland? Visit us here – OfficeSpace.com/Portland

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Examining the True Costs of Working with a Commercial Real Estate Broker

Post updated on  October 4th, 2018

Finding an affordable commercial real estate lease that will suit both your company’s needs and its budget is certainly a difficult process, but one that’s always made easier with a qualified ally at your side – and that’s where commercial real estate brokers come into play.

Operating on a commission basis, the terms of their payout aren’t always clear at the outset. However, especially if you’re seeking smaller office spaces, it can be difficult to find and retain a trustworthy and reliable broker. To better understand how commercial real estate brokers operate (and how they get paid), read on:

How Commercial Real Estate Brokers Get Paid

Brokers usually get paid a percentage of your total lease value. What that percentage is varies from region to region and depending on individual markets, but it’s typically between 3 to 5%. However, brokers typically have to share a percentage of their commission with their brokerage companies. This percentage can also vary, but let’s use a 60/40-commission split as an example with 60% going to the individual broker.

To get to a signed lease, there’s a major amount of time, energy, and effort that goes into the process. There are calls or in-person meetings, searching for available spaces that meet your requirements, calls to set up property tours, the actual property tours, and lease negotiations. All of the steps above are the same for a company looking for 10,000 square feet of space or 500 square feet of space. In addition, most companies looking for smaller spaces are unsure of what their space needs will be in the next year or two so they are only looking for shorter term deals whereas companies needing larger spaces tend to look for longer lease terms. Here’s what the math looks like in both scenarios:

500 square foot space x $30/square foot per year = $15,000 in annual rent

Lease term is 1 year: 1 year lease value $15,000 total rent (for ease of calculations, I’m assuming no rent escalation)

Brokerage company’s commission 5% = $750

Broker’s commission 60% of brokerage company’s commission = 60% x $750 = $450

VS.

10,000 square foot space x $30/square foot per year = $300,000 in annual rent

Lease term is 3 years: 3 x $300,000 = $900,000 in total rent

Brokerage company’s commission 5% = $45,000

Broker’s commission 60% of brokerage company’s commission = 60% x $45,000 = $27,000

Why Securing a Commercial Real Estate Broker May Not Be Easy

Every deal is unique, but the numbers don’t always make sense for brokers with smaller spaces. This doesn’t even take into account the number of times brokers work on a deal where they’ve put in their time and the deal goes dead for reasons outside of their control. Spending the same amount of time for $27,000 versus $450 is rarely an attractive option in any profession, so finding someone qualified and experienced to handle your office search may not be an easy prospect. In the meantime, shared office spaces, co-working services, and executive suites could be a viable alternative while you seek a first time (and more permanent) office space.

Landlords and property owners budget about a 4-6% commission for the listing agent, which is split between the listing agent and the tenant representation broker once the lease is complete. However, while many commission splits are 50/50, there are lease agreements that dictate a split as wide as 90/10 in favor of the leasing agent. This is more common in competitive markets where prospective tenants are many and available space is scarce, therefore making things even more difficult for companies struggling to find office space.

It doesn’t hurt to ask a prospective broker how much they’ll be earning on the transaction. While they won’t have much say (it’s up to the landlords to determine commission splits), it’s good to know what level of service to expect. The higher the commission split, the more motivated they’ll be to get the deal done on your behalf.

How Much Will I Have to Pay to Work with a Commercial Real Estate Broker?

Most brokers will tell you their services are free, as landlords and property owners budget a commission percentage for each lease agreement. And due to this, it’s very rare that a business owner could negotiate a lower lease rate by dealing directly with the landlord – the entirety of the commission would simply go to the listing agent. While a successful business owner may need to expand to larger space every 3-5 years, a commercial real estate broker handles real estate transactions like this every month, lending more know-how and market experience to the transaction to the benefit of their client.

If you can land a broker, their work on your behalf is an invaluable asset, as it allows your company the flexibility to focus on your business and take a look at prospective properties as they become available, sending you listing information, setting appointments, and accompanying you on tours. And because they’ll be involved with the transaction throughout the terms of the lease, they’ll be able to negotiate any changes or even a lease buyout should you run out of space completely.

In markets where tenants are at a premium and landlords are rushing to get their spaces filled, a tenant broker’s commission split may be higher, meaning landlords may try and find ways to make up for that gap in other areas of the lease. While you likely won’t end up paying higher rent due to other options in the marketplace, there’s a greater chance that you won’t see tenant improvements to your liking – but your tenant rep is there to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Should I Just Find Office Space Myself?

It makes sense that a listing broker working on behalf of the landlord would agree on lower lease terms by working directly with a prospective tenant, as they’d secure the entirety of the commission as a result. While this could work in smaller office spaces or in short team and subleases, listing agents work for the landlords, so bringing in below-market deals may upset their clients. Expect average market level deals using this avenue; after all, no one likes upsetting their boss.

No matter the size of your business or the limitations of your budget, working with a commercial real estate broker can be a genuine ace-in-the-hole for business owners seeking their first location or in need of an expansion. While the process isn’t always straightforward, you should be better equipped to discuss your options with whichever tenant rep broker you consider bringing on board to assist you in your search.

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Benefits of Using a Tenant Representation Broker

Tenant Representation Broker

This post was updated on August 8, 2018.

Isn’t it cheaper to use the listing broker?  The one whose name is on the sign?

Even for savvy business people, this is a myth that we hear over and over.  In order to answer this question, you really need to understand how commercial real estate brokers make money.  The landlord pays commission for both the listing broker as well as the tenant rep broker.  However, the big caveat here is that you, the tenant, ultimately are paying for the commissions through the lease that you sign as landlords have already taken into account the cost of commissions when they determine their rates.

The listing broker is responsible for representing the landlord’s best interests.  Their job is to find a tenant to lease space at the best terms to the landlord.  Even if the broker agrees to represent you as a client, your needs come second to the landlord’s needs – and this is something that is in writing between the listing broker and the landlord.   This is a practice called dual agency.  Think of it from another angle.  If the landlord thought that the listing broker was giving you an advantage by working for you, do you think that the landlord would allow it?  The answer would be a resounding no.

A tenant rep broker’s only job in the transaction is to represent you and your best interests.  If you decide to walk away because they aren’t finding you spaces that work for you, they haven’t made a dime on you.  In addition, when they negotiate for you, they are only concerned about what will work for you, whereas the listing broker may be worried about irritating the boss and may not negotiate so hard for you.

Now, going back to the point earlier, that you, the tenant ultimately pay commissions through your rent.  The landlord has already taken into consideration that the commissions will be paid, regardless of who represents you in the transaction.

The landlord isn’t going to agree to lower the rent or give you more rent concessions because he’s going to have a lower cost of sales because the listing broker is representing you.  Listing brokers love representing the tenants for their own listings because generally, there’s very little negotiation and the deal gets done with less friction but potentially costing you, the tenant, more.  Whatever commission was budgeted for the tenant’s representative, some portion, or all of it, will be paid to the listing broker.  The bottom line is this: if the listing broker represents the tenant, they make more money on the deal.

It just makes good business sense to have someone represent you who has your best interests in mind, not someone who would like to represent you because they earn more commission but is actually legally bound to hold someone else’s best interest first.  Knowing this, why wouldn’t you want to have your own representation?