Archive for the ‘commercial real estate’ Category

Inhabiting Retail Space: Don’t Be the Clueless Captain

Monday, July 6th, 2009

You’ve just conceived an idea for your new business. You know why product you want to sell, you have employees lined up. All that’s left is finding an adequate building to be able to advertise and sell your entire product line. retail spaceisn’t easy to come by because of how many businesses succeed and fail each year. The one’s that tend to exceed have an office leasingand the ability to advertise their product in a way that makes them separate from their competition.
You need to look for space that able to provide you enough shelf space to advertise the product as well as enough space for your customers to conveniently and comfortably walk through the aisles to view them. Not a lot of people like to be crowded together trying to find the product they were searching for. They become claustrophobic and feel a need to get out of the store before buying anything. The importance in the amount of space you allow in unparallel to the amount inventory you have displayed. It won’t matter how much product you have out if everyone’s fleeing the store because of how uncomfortable they are.
The amount of space you decide to buy is of course proportionate to the amount of money you want to spend. If you spend all of your money on the largest space available with nothing to fall back on in case business is slow at first, you will find yourself closing the store down before it even began and your dream lost. No business started out a success. If you believe the product you’re selling will sell immediately than ask yourself, “How will people know about the product”?
The internet is vast but there are millions of other businesses trying to get their product out there and selling just like you. You can advertise in your local area, but that’s a very small portion considering the amount of people living in the United States. What you’re going to be relying is a marketing campaign savvy to those consumers you wish to target and service that carries over word of mouth. People can get a certain product anywhere, but they come to your store for the service and the atmosphere. Don’t forget this crucial fact when shopping for retail space.
As business begins to grow you will find yourself needing more space to hold the amount of customers foaming for your product. It is at this time where you don’t need to worry so much about how much space you have and how much it will cost because of how much money you’ve made. Expanding your business practice elsewhere may be a more beneficial venture than expanding your space. You can make a little more profit with small chains around the nation than a few large retail store. Unless your Wal-Mart.
Jason Ausmus writes for Innuity. For more information regarding retail space or office leasing, please visit Royal Commercial.

When will the struggle end for Commercial Real Estate?

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

Many of us homeowners are familiar with the downturn of the real estate market and the negative impact it has had on our homes and lives. As many families suffer through the fear and uncertainty associated with foreclosures, there is another unfortunate reality becoming apparent in the real estate market. Commercial real estate is suffering as are those employed as a Commercial real estate agent. As tenants struggle to even find ways to pay their rent so they can stay in their offices, the market begins to struggle as the rent goes down and values for buildings go down as a result. It is a very difficult cycle to break.

While we may feel the positive impacts of an economy turning around soon and home foreclosures are showing signs of leveling off, this is not true for the commercial economy. While many thought that because commercial leases are so long term this would help protect this industry that does not appear to be helping them as much as forecasted. Because of the fact that most landlords feared trying to find new tenants, they listened to tenant demands to lower the rent. This dramatic downturn means that in many areas the value of buildings have gone down significantly.
This dramatic and unfortunate downturn in the commercial real estate market will not be cured overnight. Investors and bank that heavily finance this market might be facing some heavy losses before the upswing occurs. It is a reality that many of the mortgaged properties in both commercial real estate and in the housing market are worth less than the current mortgages on the properties. In the commercial real estate market this will be a more difficult reality to overcome.
The government may step in to provide a package that will help investors; banks and the commercial real estate market survive. There are often things that the government can do to help things along. However, it won’t happen quickly and it won’t happen overnight. The upturn to this market may take many years to recover – some estimates put it at 2017. That is a lot of years that commercial real estate agents and properties face of some trying times. It’s an unfortunate cycle that we find ourselves in with businesses struggling due to lower spending on the part of most consumers and then high unemployment making it hard for people to spend that money to begin with. Will it ever end?
I often wonder if there will be a day when we don’t hear or read negative news regarding the economy. You have to wonder if we heard a little more positive feedback if that would help things turn around. Yes, my house may be worth less today than it was a year ago but things will turn around. The economy is going to get better, people will get jobs again and the real estate market will be strong once more. Let’s all take a good look at the positive aspects that still exist, we may find ourselves not worrying so much about the doom and gloom of the current day but looking forward to a brighter tomorrow.
Rebecca Beckett writes for Innuity. for more information about Commercial real estate or Commercial real estate agent go to Royal Commercial

Spaced Out: The Dangers of Overspending on Retail Space

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

When you look for a new location to set up shop for your new or expanding business, assessing the amount of Retail space you need is crucial to saving money on the move. You want to leave room to expand, but buying so much space that you can’t utilize it all within a few months of moving in is a waste of money. This is also an important thing to consider when looking into leasing an office for your business.
Office leasingis essential to any retailer wanting to present themselves professionally in an office as well as a retail store. Just like with retail space, you want to make sure you don’t lease an office with space that you will not use. Office leases are calculated by the amount of space is in the office. You’ll want to look into leasing an office that is inside a building with different offices of other retailers. These offices save you money and are generally small enough for you to create a professional look for your business while saving yourself money.
If you’re a new business you want to evaluate the amount of inventory you will be selling as a retailer. If you’re not selling a ton of items, it is more cost efficient to share the space with another retailer. If you’re looking for a building that can be your own with only your inventory, make sure that the amount of inventory matches with the amount of space the building has. Wasting money on space that you don’t need will hurt your business in the long run.
For larger corporations that can afford a lot of retail space and offices will still need to take into consideration how much space they are willing to keep gray. It’s important to remember that even large companies are not invincible to the falls of the economy. Many large companies have declared bankruptcy in the past few months, and there’s no reason to think that your company is immune. Look at all the angles and make sure that you are not overspending. The money overspent could be money that keeps your business afloat during economic depression.
While it is important to make sure you’re not overspending on space, it’s also important to not under spend as well. If you only buy enough space for the shelves that hold your product, how our customers going to be able to browse the product? One of the most common phobias existing is claustrophobia. People who are in close quarters between the product and other people are less likely to buy the product. They just want to get out of the store and find one that is a little more consumer friendly. Make sure you find the right balance between the two.
About the author: Jason Ausmus is a web content producer for Innuity. For more information regarding Retail space and Office leasing, look to Royal Commerical.

Retail Space: The Final Frontier

Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

In our corporate and retail space, the amount of space that you need to feel comfortable is vital to you and your employee’s environment. In closed spaces our productivity goes down. We are all independent creatures, and our space needs to be enough so that we can express ourselves without feeling trapped.

More space and room means a bigger office and building. Reports for office leasingwill become a tired process that is essential. As we begin to grow and add more staff, the more it becomes necessary to add more room and space. The desks and work areas will need to be widened, and the breathing room expanded. The productivity of your workers is essential to success. If they are comfortable, so will the customers they speak to.

When we talk about retail space, we focus on the amount of space it takes to make you feel comfortable, and the customer that comes into your office. If the customer feels quarantined in your office, they are likely not to buy anything from you. The feeling of being trapped brings a wave of claustrophobia over a lot of people and will want to get out of your office as soon as they can.

Finding adequate room for your office can be tricky. On the one hand we want enough space to be comfortable, but we do not want to pay for space that we are not going to use. There are companies out there that specialize in office leasing to help you make this decision. They know that you want to have enough space to expand. Constantly needing to move and get a larger or smaller office is not what we’re going for here.

Once you find the right amount of office space, and then come the questions of how you will decorate the office. You want to look professional. Choices like what color of paint you want on the walls, what kind of carpeting you want come into play. It’s important not to be too flashy when you want to give off the appearance that you are a professional company with something to offer. We are all different and want to show people our individual ideas, but conforming to a monotone office is necessary in the way of professionalism. Once you get your name out there and you become popular, you can begin to be flashier with your office space.

So when thinking about the office you want to build, be sure to keep these things in mind. You want enough space to be able to expand, but you don’t want too much that you can’t utilize it all and pay for nothing. The happier your employees are, the happier your customers will be. The phone presence is about as close a lot of businesses get to interacting with customers.

About the author: Jason Ausmus is a web content producer for Innuity. For more information regarding retail space or office leasing, please go to Royal Commercial.

5 Key Ideas You Need to Consider Looking for New office space

Monday, June 8th, 2009

As we start a business, looking for an office that has the amount of space we need to be productive is crucial. We must be cautious, looking for only the amount of space we need to function properly. There is no reason to pay more for what you aren’t going to use.
• Finding an Office: If you are a starting business, note how much office space you’ll need now and eventually. You will need space to put any files that will acquire for your business. You will need file cabinets where your files will be store. Plenty of desks for current and new employees that are soon to come. Will you have a waiting room where clients can sit? What type of furniture will you have?
• Visualization: It’s important that your business has plenty of exposure to people driving by your office. What kind of marketing will you use to catch their eye? How will you design your office so people who visit will think that you are professional and someone they want to do business with?
• Corporate Offices: When your company reaches a point where it can have a corporate office, corporate real estate will become a key factor in finding corporate headquarters. Do you want these offices to be near your current office? When looking in corporate real estate, be sure that we take the first two steps into account. They apply to any office you plan to open; corporate or commercial.
• Leave Room to Expand: Moving your offices is costly. Make sure that the first office you have leaves plenty of room to expand. As you become more successful, more people will want your services. Make sure you have enough office spacefor new employees to help with your newly acquired work load. The same goes for your corporate real estate. The employees you already retain know your business in and out. They will be the ones training your new employees.
• Relax: Moving into a new office or upgrading to a bigger office is stressful. Not only are you trying to manage the time and money into movie, you are also trying to keep the business running. Stress in this situation is inevitable, but there are ways to prevent. There are plenty of companies out there whose focus is helping you with these kinds of decision. Unnecessary stress is just that.
Remember all of these elements when moving your new business. Knowing how much office space you’ll need for your furniture and employees is important. Your offices and corporate real estate need to look and feel professional. Leave room to expand your business. Having to move your business because you do not have enough space for the two employees you just hired isn’t worth it. The business you could lose during the movie on top of what it already costs to move is just silly.
About the author: Jason Ausmus is a web content producer for Innuity. For more information regarding office space or corporate real estate, look to Royal Commercial

What Help a Corporate Real Estate Agent Can Provide to a Small Business

Monday, June 1st, 2009

We are in a time where dreams are scarcely able to become a reality because of the turn in the economy that has held as back. As it comes time, being positive about your finances when reviewing your office leasing can be a process that you cannot afford. A corporate real estate agent can help relieve you of the stress that may come when trying to communicate with the people that you need to in order to negotiate or move your business entirely to better convenient the turn of the economy. It is a gift that we must act upon, the ability to create an image and turn it into a living and breathing reality. As important as it is to be cost effective, the more we stray from the visualization, the more it becomes diluted to the eye that focuses upon it. We all strive to be independent and original so that our names will be remembered for something that we can all connect and share, but something that requires so much effort can seldom be done by only one person.

As time passes, our dreams begin to whiter and we start losing sight of the image we posses of them, the strength of the business may become lost in political ethics. When it comes time to renew the image of our dream, we may become biased by what our new political ethics determine. A corporate real estate agent can become the outside, looking in when trying your hand at office leasing. We create a business because we feel that we believe that the product we sell is revolutionizing an industry that has begun to fade as technology advances. As we think of our dreams, fantasies of wealth and pride befall us and we are delighted to feel this way. However, when we become too ignorant of the cost that comes with realizing your dreams, you may feel overwhelmed.

It is in this feeling of overwhelmed fear that there are companies out there that are driven to help you with this fear. Corporate real estate agents focus their business around helping you with this fear to turn it into the image that you’ve dreamed since its inception. As we progress, the cost of the location may become an issue with office leasing, which can be handled as long as we remain calm and believe that we can succeed no matter the situation. Every business has had its trouble when starting. When Microsoft started they were three people in a small building trying to come up with a marketable product just as every business does when they start. Back then, a lot of companies did not have the financial backing that you can have now. Nor were there a lot of companies that centered their business on helping smaller business manage costs and attain prominent affordability.

About the author: Jason Ausmus is a web content producer for Innuity. For more information regarding a corporate real estate agent or office leasing visit Royal Commercial

Maximizing Empty Office Space and Retail Space

Monday, June 1st, 2009

These days it is difficult to find a business park that is filled. Even most offices have some empty office space. Retailers are closing their doors and leaving a lot of empty retail space. Those large buildings you see left behind when a company closes – what happens to them? When corporate real estate companies build up the business park only to leave it empty, what can be done to utilize the space? Can these spaces be used in any way?

You can bet that office landlords and developers are working on ways that they can still make money even when their office spaces are not being leased out, especially in high-traffic areas. Well, the answer is clear – those big empty windows can be filled with ads. What better way to take advantage of those high traffic areas then by using advertising to reach out.

Most areas of advertising are suffering as a result of the economy; however store front windows seem to be staying consistent. Billboards are not as costly and they are reaching a high volume of people. By offering these windows for sale as an advertising billboard the landlord will be able to continue to pay its bills while offering a unique offering to people.

While it won’t cover the same costs as a retailer would or a company leasing the building, advertising can help pay the bills and they are a great way for companies to get creative too. In the past, most companies thought of advertising as just a cheap way to reach people. Cheap as in looked down upon. However, now when they think about advertising they are looking for ways to save money. Cheap as in frugal. The mindset of advertisers has really changed with the changing economic climate.

As we all struggle to make our way in a difficult economy it becomes apparent that we all need to get creative; companies are no exception. By finding ways that they can use what they have they are going to be able to successfully weather the storm. Retailers and corporate real estate owners are going to find that if they hope to succeed at all they are going to need to consider alternatives. While they can lower the rates and offer more incentives to companies, at some point, even that won’t be enough.

Enticing people to buy or lease office space is going to be difficult when most companies are still fighting fear and are doing everything they can to cut costs. However, by offering them a lower cost alternative to advertising they might be doing, a solution can be reached for everyone.

Ah, we all love pinching pennies and watching closely what we are spending and where we are spending it. However, there are some things that are necessary and for companies the necessity of getting the word out is always going to be there. However, the choices they have are going to change. By being given the option of window space advertising, the way companies look at advertising may really change. As more and more companies go online and begin to utilize more cost-effective ways of advertising, this type of advertising can really reach people. Drivers beware – soon you may be driving by those empty retail and office spaces and see much more than an empty window.

About the Author: Rebecca Beckett is a freelance writer for Innuity. If you would like more information about office space or retail space go to Royal Commercial

Relieving the Stress of Commercial Real Estate

Tuesday, May 26th, 2009

It is essential to your business to find the right commercial real estate for the location of your business, so your product can be presented to the prime of your target audience. Commercial as well as corporate real estate are slowly expanding as the economy bounces back from its recent down turn. Depending on your business, more space may be needed as demand becomes more prolific as the economy stabilizes.
We’ve all felt the hole in our wallets as the bottom of our economy fell out. As that hole begins to close, the physical presentation of your business is crucial for potential consumers and investors. Finding commercial real estate can be a determining factor as our business location is the cover to the book that we have put the success of our lives in. Would you read a book where the graphic to catch your eye is cast in the distance of the surrounding world? The busyness that takes up more of our lives to need leave much time to admire symbolism, and our images must be brought forward or they may be overlooked.
The most important part of moving your business is handling the stress. If we let the stress overwhelm us, it can hurt you emotionally, and hurt your business financially. There are companies that recognize this importance, and are there to help you. The survival of your business depends on you being able to handle the ups and downs of the economy. When there is an opportunity for relief, you cannot pass it off. A common stress is finding a location that is not only in the eye of the consumer, but also matches your budget. There are companies built around the sole purpose of helping you manage these problems while you stay in touch with your customers.
Moving your business is more stressful than one might think. You are trying to manage your business the same time that it’s moving. If your full attention is not on the client at hand, important documents may become lost in the move. There are companies that can take some of this burden so you can keep your attention on the customer and not only move the company, but keep a stream your stream of revenue flowing and never skip a beat. Managing the expense of a move is also a burden that can be lightened with the right people managing the expenses. The cost of a move can hurt your business if the expenses, as well as time, are not managed properly.
All of these stresses can be easily managed with a company that is qualified to manage them. Corporate real estate and commercial real estate do not need to be added stresses to the already stressful movement of your business. It is important for the well being of yourself and the family that you care for that you take the necessary steps to ensure that we can balance the pressures so we’re not overloaded.

About the author: Jason Ausmus is a web content specialist for Innuity For more information regarding, commercial real estate and corporate real estate go to Royal Commercial.

10 Ways to Improve Your Office Space

Monday, May 18th, 2009

Here are 10 things you can do to improve your home office space without going WAY over budget.
Think Green and Get Some Plants!
Bring life to your office by adding life! A bit of greenery can lift a room and make it a much more pleasant place to be. Not only will plants add more color to your office, they will increase the oxygen in your office and provide an enticing ambiance.

Hide the Wires
Unfortunately, wires are an unsightly necessity of the office world. While you might be able to get a wireless mouse, keyboard and even internet, you simply can’t escape power cords. To tidy up your wires- look to these options:

• Bind Cords Together
Use a string or rubber band and bind the cords together at intervals so they are all in one place, sot scattered all over.
• Secure long running wires to walls
Instead of letting cords lay in the middle of the walkway, use clamps to stick wires to the walls.

Shop Discounted Stores, Online Deals or Thrift Stores For Great Steals on Furniture, Cubicles and Décor -including Paint
If you have ever scanned online discount stores, auction houses or craigslist’s in the “free section” you would be amazed at what you can find! Entire office furniture sets for less than half their retail price or free! Paint, doors, carpet and even art is all available online for complete deals. Thrift stores, garage sales and warehouse stores are all great places to look for great furniture at rates you can afford. Even though you can’t afford to get a new office space and furniture now, you can get pretty close to it and at least get what you need.

Initiate a Work Clean Up Party
So you cannot hire a cleaning service, painters or carpenters to help remodel your office but that doesn’t mean you can’t spruce things up with the resources you have at hand. Have a mandatory cleaning party at work. Pay your employees, provide lunch and drinks and crank up the music. Draw names for cleaning duties or separate yourself into cleaning teams. With some positive energy and dome good elbow grease, you can have a shiny new office space in no time!
Add an Employee Communication Area
Build morale and add some new décor. Placing a communication board in a common area of your office will improve morale, keep people informed and encourage involvement. When all of your employees are in the know with all of your company’s plans, people feel appreciated and important. Add an employee of the month club and post pictures of the staff!

There are in fact lots of things you can do to make your office space a better place to work. Visiting thrift stores and office supply stores to find ideas are great ways to get ideas. It’s possible that moving to a new office space isn’t foreseeable any time soon, or hiring an interior designer and since you are trying just to keep the lights on in the one you are currently occupying. There are plenty of things you can do to make due with your office space today while you while wait for things to change financially tomorrow.

About the author: Melissa Peterman is a web content specialist for Innuity For more information regarding, office space go to Royal Commercial.

Considering the Location for your Office Space

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

So, the question is: where is the best location for your office space. When you are considering office leasing you will need to make a lot of choices. Before the economy took a turn for the worst, companies could consider location above all else. However, now, while location is still essential, cost seems to be taking over as the major deciding factor.

There are two major choices when considering location. Will you choose the downtown, in the hub of the activity, or in the outskirts? Which is right for your office? It may be that your company is not that type of company that would thrive in a downtown environment – do you need the luxury and the ease of being in the mix? There are some companies that may decide the higher cost is worth it because they need to be right in the middle of the action or near their competitors.

For example, many law firms may locate in a downtown area because they want to be close to the courthouses. Many also feel that they can conduct business more casually if they run into people when they are out for lunch or stepping out of the office for a brief period of time. Image might also be a considering factor for companies as those with downtown addresses may have a higher image.

Consider also the effect it could have on your employees. Will this location attract the type of employees you are looking to hire? Is the parking sufficient? Will everyone have to pay for parking or will you have a lot available? If employees are going to end up paying a bunch of their paycheck for parking you are going to need to take into consideration an incentive package that makes it more affordable or cost effective.

For some the benefits of moving away from a city hub might be a great way to save money. The business parks outside of the city can offer companies plenty of advantages, including a great way to entice local employees. By being more affordable, companies might be able to offer their employees higher pay or better parking options, including discounts to area restaurants or health clubs, as the case may be.

Traffic can be a concern for companies in a downtown area as well. Employees may be more likely to be on time if they don’t have to sit in traffic each day and hope for the best. This will also help employees save gas and make a positive impact on the environment as well. Employees that live close to work will really appreciate the extra time they have in the morning and after work that they wouldn’t have if they were stuck in the daily grime of traffic.

While there are many options that must be considered when searching for the best office space, consider the location as well. Carefully look into working both in a downtown area and outside in order to make the best, most affordable choice for your company. Not all companies need what a downtown location has to offer while others do – What does your company need? Answer this question and it will help you determine where to lease.

About the Author: Rebecca Beckett is a freelance writer for Innuity. If you would like more information about office space or office leasing go to Royal Commercial