For Lease - Northern Colorado Commercial Real Estate

What to Look for in Commercial Real Estate Leases

October 10, 2024

The Structure of a Commercial Lease

Before implementing a commercial lease as a landlord, be sure you understand its structure and ramifications. On the other hand, it’s crucial for tenants to be familiar with the different portions of a commercial lease agreement prior to signing to avoid any future confusion or conflict.

While there are several different types of leases in commercial real estate, each with its own set of obligations, there are a handful of general things to know as you prepare to rent your property.

Parts of a Commercial Lease

The following are the different parts of commercial leases that should be considered:

Rent Amount: Most importantly, the lease will explain how much it costs to rent the property.
Payment Due Date: Is rent paid on a monthly basis? If so, be sure your renter knows what date it must be paid by and how that aligns with the cash flow of their business.
Security Deposit: Read the contract to understand if the landlord will collect a security deposit upfront and how they may use the funds once the lease has ended.
Lease Term: How long the lease agreement lasts should be clearly outlined.
How to Renew: Will the lease automatically be renewed at the end of the first term? Is there an option for a month-to-month agreement after the first year?
Type of Business Allowed: Typically, leases will explain what types of businesses may operate in a given building per the zoning guidelines. Ensuring the tenant’s business meets the criteria is paramount.
Common Area Maintenance: Many commercial spaces will have common areas that need to be maintained. Is this the tenant’s responsibility, the owner’s, or split?
Subleases: Depending on the size of the building, a tenant may want to sublease a portion of their rented space. Some leases will allow subletting, and some will not.
Improvements: If any improvements need to be made while a renter is in place, the lease will specify who is responsible for the associated costs.
How to Terminate: Tenants and landlords have different rights when terminating the lease contract. The agreement will state if and how each party can end the lease.

Not Sure What to Look For?

If you are a landlord or tenant and aren’t sure what to look for in commercial leases, we would love to help! Northern Colorado Commercial Real Estate is experienced in helping clients understand and negotiate the terms of commercial leases.

If you have questions about commercial real estate or lending options, please contact Steve Longenecker and Northern Colorado Commercial Real Estate at WeBrokerCORealEstate or 720-600-9513.

We give out $250 gift cards for referrals that become our real estate clients.

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#longmontcommercialrealestate #commercialrealestatebroker #northerncocommercialrealestate

Four Types of Property Management

June 6, 2024

Property Management Types

Property management is often a crucial part of owning commercial real estate. Before hiring a property manager to oversee your investment, ensure they have the necessary experience, as each building type requires a unique skill set.

The following are the four most common types of property management to be familiar with before taking the dive into owning investment properties.

Residential Property Management

Residential property management involves overseeing single-family homes, townhomes, and condos. A residential property manager is in charge of single units and up to a quadplex (4 units). Their main focuses are acquiring and retaining qualified tenants, collecting monthly rent, and managing maintenance requests.

Commercial Property Management

Commercial property management relates to apartment complexes (5+ units), retail spaces, and office buildings. Lease management is the primary task of a commercial property manager, as each building type requires a different leasing structure. Commercial property managers also typically take on a larger scope of facility maintenance and need a solid understanding of zoning, building codes, and safety requirements to ensure the property stays compliant.

Industrial Property Management

Industrial property management centers around warehouse space, distribution centers, and manufacturing facilities. A property manager in this field focuses mainly on security and efficiency. Often, industrial facilities manufacture, handle, or store costly goods, making security a top priority. Additionally, the efficiency of these properties can make or break the investment potential, so creating proper systems is vital.

Special-Purpose Property Management

Special-purpose property management involves specialized buildings such as hospitals, education facilities, and recreation centers. Each building requires expertise in specific maintenance and scheduling needs, as well as solid marketing and connections to find the right tenant for that niche.

Have Property Management Questions?

If you have questions about property management or commercial real estate, please contact Steve Longenecker and Northern Colorado Commercial Real Estate at WeBrokerCORealEstate or 720-600-9513.

We give out $250 gift cards for referrals that become our real estate clients.

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#longmontcommercialrealestate #commercialrealestatebroker #northerncocommercialrealestate

Gross Leases: Are They the Right Fit for Your Property?

February 2, 2024

What is a Gross Lease?

A gross lease is a type of lease that requires the tenant to pay one flat fee to the landlord to rent a given space.

Rather than the tenant paying additional fees, the owner designs the rental amount to cover all operating expenses. These expenses generally include property taxes, insurance, and utilities, but the tenant could negotiate to have additional services such as cleaning included.

In commercial real estate, there are several types of leases to choose from, depending on the property you own. Each variety of lease affects how your tenant-landlord relationship functions, so it’s best to consider all your options before making a choice.

Types of Gross Leases

While all gross leases are similar, they fall into two general categories: modified gross and full service.

A full service lease, as described above, includes all operating expenses in a flat rental amount. The tenant is not responsible for additional charges outside of their weekly, monthly, or yearly fee.

Alternatively, a modified gross lease is tailored to the landlord’s needs. In this scenario, the rental amount may include property taxes and insurance but not utilities. A modified gross lease combines a gross lease and a net lease (where the tenant is responsible for operating expenses).

Pros and Cons

Before deciding on a gross lease, it’s essential to understand the pros and cons. On the upside, a gross lease allows the landlord to collect a higher rental amount and pass along operating expenses to the tenant, especially as costs increase over time.

On the other hand, a gross lease requires more attention from the property owner as they are in charge of ensuring maintenance is taken care of, and bills are paid.

Be sure to partner with a real estate professional to help you decipher which type of lease is best for you and your property. Please contact Steve Longenecker at WeBrokerCORealEstate or 720-600-9513 regarding any commercial real estate needs in Longmont, CO, and our neighboring communities.

We give out $250 gift cards for referrals that become our real estate clients.

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#longmontcommercialrealestate #commercialrealestatebroker #northerncocommercialrealestate

5 Common Mistakes of Commercial Landlords

December 20, 2023

We’ve all heard the horror stories of commercial and residential landlords. From tenants destroying property to simply not paying their rent, it’s easy to be scared away from being a rental property owner. There are, however, some tried and true methods to ensure the success of your investment.

Let’s take a look at a few common mistakes of commercial landlords and how you might be able to steer clear of potential issues.

Common Mistakes of Commercial Landlords

The following are a few of the most common mistakes of commercial landlords:

1. Negotiations

Whether you are purchasing commercial property or working on the details of a lease, understanding the negotiation process is crucial. Landlords and buyers often go into negotiations without proper representation and not having solidified their desired terms.

2. Property Management

The wrong property manager or poor management systems can be the downfall of a commercial investment. Picking the best property manager for your building is equally as important as choosing the right tenant.

3. Maintenance

Deferred maintenance leads to more significant expenses down the road. A landlord who notices an issue and immediately addresses it saves time, money, and energy in the long run.

4. Due Diligence

Due diligence is paramount when buying commercial real estate or considering a prospective tenant. Investigating each aspect of the building and tenant to ensure they are a good fit for you and your portfolio will increase profitability.

5. Leases

Any ambiguity in a lease can lead to conflict. A correctly drafted lease with black-and-white terms keeps everyone on the same page regarding rules and responsibilities.

An Agent Ally

A commercial real estate agent ally can make all the difference. Your broker should be well-versed in the above-mentioned issues and will guide you toward success.

Please contact Steve Longenecker at WeBrokerCORealEstate or 720-600-9513 regarding any commercial real estate needs in Longmont, CO, and our neighboring communities.

We give out $250 gift cards for referrals that become our real estate clients.

Like, Share & Follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook.

#longmontcommercialrealestate #commercialrealestatebroker #northerncocommercialrealestate

How to Attract the Best Commercial Tenants

December 6, 2023

The type of tenants you have in your commercial property can dramatically impact your return on investment.

Hand-holding or excessive wear and tear can quickly reduce cash flow and increase staffing and building expenses. On the other hand, a renter who operates autonomously and goes above and beyond with building care and maintenance may increase the value of your commercial asset.

Attracting tenants that best fit your space and management style is the key to being a successful landlord.

Attracting and Retaining Great Tenants

Here are a few things to consider in your attempts to attract and retain great tenants:

Location: Always at the top of the list when it comes to real estate, an appealing location will attract many tenants, allowing you a larger pool to choose from.
Access: Buildings with easy access and plenty of parking can be hard to come by. Having great accessibility at your commercial property can help secure an exceptional tenant.
Safety: Safety is typically at the top of the wish list of a high-quality tenant. Offering top-notch building security is extremely attractive for prospective renters.
Appearance: Appealing interior and exterior appearance helps your building stand out amongst other options, driving higher cash flow and quality tenants.
Amenities: Shared amenities (conference rooms, lounges, kitchens, etc.) are great tools in marketing to a wide variety of renters.
Responsiveness: As a landlord, responsiveness is crucial in attracting and retaining great tenants. Whether scheduling showings or following up on maintenance requests, quick responses are always appreciated.
Feedback: Collecting feedback and doing all you can to keep renters satisfied is the best way to keep solid tenants.

Use Your Broker

Using your broker for property marketing and recommendations on best landlord practices will guarantee high-quality tenants. Experienced commercial real estate agents know where to look to find great tenants and the right questions to ask to ensure a smooth lease going forward.

Please contact Steve Longenecker at WeBrokerCORealEstate or 720-600-9513 regarding any commercial real estate needs in Longmont, CO, and our neighboring communities.

We give out $250 gift cards for referrals that become our real estate clients.

Like, Share & Follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook.

#longmontcommercialrealestate #commercialrealestatebroker #northerncocommercialrealestate

What to Consider Before Investing in Office Buildings

September 13, 2023

Investing in Office Buildings

If you are pondering a commercial real estate investment, office buildings are likely on your radar. If you’re already invested in residential real estate and other types of commercial property, office buildings can be a unique way to diversify. They can provide cash flow opportunities, tax benefits, and long-term appreciation.

When people think of office space, some immediately go to skyscrapers in downtown Denver. Office space, however, can be acquired on a much smaller scale and attract various tenants aside from corporate giants.

If it seems like office space would be a great addition to your portfolio, there are a few things you should consider before you take the leap.

What to Consider

Before investing in an office building, here is what you should consider:

Location: As with any piece of real estate, location is critical. Choose a site that will fit your potential renters and their businesses.
Quality: Not all office spaces are created equal. Consider your budget and try to find the building with the highest quality structure, mechanical systems, and finishes.
Size: The amount of property you are willing to manage and the type of tenant you hope to attract will dictate the building size you choose.
Layout: Does the building provide an open concept or a walled office setup? Reconfiguring layouts can take significant time and money, so be sure the space is usable for your potential tenants.
Tenants: The type of tenants you want will significantly impact the building you invest in. Every kind of tenant requires a different location, layout, and amenities.
Leases: Whether there are existing leases or if you will be acquiring all new tenants, it’s essential to consider what types of leases you prefer.

The Real Estate Cycle

As we all know, real estate is cyclical. Commercial buildings, including office space, are no different. A good investment stands the test of time and is versatile through all cycles. If you are considering investing in commercial office space, consult an experienced commercial real estate broker to be sure you make the right investment.

Please contact Steve Longenecker at WeBrokerCORealEstate or 720-600-9513 regarding any commercial real estate needs in Longmont, CO, and our neighboring communities.

We give out $250 gift cards for referrals that become our real estate clients.

Like, Share & Follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook.

#longmontcommercialrealestate #commercialrealestatebroker #northerncoloradocommercialrealestate

1840 Delaware Place – Industrial Space For Lease

March 6, 2023

Industrial Space For Lease in Longmont, CO

Tour of 1840 Delaware Place, Units O, and C.

4,860 total square feet
1,022 SF office
3,838 SF warehouse
Five 12′ Drive-In garage doors
1/2 Acre Fenced Lot

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Call Steve Longenecker: at 720-600-9513 or Chris Wynja: at 303-570-3472 or fill out our form for more details and to schedule a tour.

What to Look for in Commercial Real Estate Leases

Category: For Lease

What to Look for in Commercial Real Estate Leases

The Structure of a Commercial Lease

Parts of a Commercial Lease

Not Sure What to Look For?

Four Types of Property Management