What to Look for and Questions to Ask When Hiring a CRE Broker

There is no one best way to select a broker. So many variables come into play and have to be taken into account when making this decision. I'm leasing a space for a new business; where do I start? The first thing you need to do is to determine your needs:

BRES Banding Together To Make a Difference

Banding together as a company to give back to the community is a vital component in helping enhance and build rapport within your community. In Property Management, we are in a never-ending position to create and maintain solid, long-term relationships with not only our Tenants, but the community in which we work. For Block Real Estate Services, (BRES) this is nearly every community throughout the Kansas City Metropolitan area and growing still. We value and take pride in our jobs every day and are always looking for ways to improve on our services to be ready to assist and contribute to our community...

Developing strong relationships with local government, police and fire personnel is just one of the many ways we can enhance the property management and tenant experience. With an industrial portfolio of over 1.4 million SF in Platte County alone, many opportunities have presented themselves to partner with Riverside Police Department. Since early 2008, BRES has assisted both the SWAT and K-9 divisions with new challenging locations for training opportunities. 

Is CRE Prepared for Senior Housing Boom?

Commercial real estate took a deep dive in 2008, and many sectors found their projects incomplete and with lack of capital to continue. However, as Baby Boomers begin to retire, these medical and retirement focused markets are seeing an opportunity in catering to America’s aging population. Investors are beginning to identify a wise choice in putting their money into assisted-living rental properties, which are tied to health care rather than personal housing choices.

Real Estate Tips For Doctors

When choosing which space is best for their practice, physicians and dentists can have unique requests. Compared to general office tenants, they are oftentimes more specific in where they want to be, based upon factors such as proximity to a hospital, demographics, distance from competitors, and co-tenancy.  Doctors also have higher finish-out costs due to extensive plumbing, millwork, and equipment; in many cases, they require 50-100% additional expense.

On account of being more particular on location and the greater investment, as well as that they are relatively stable in size, medical office users tend to make longer commitments and consequently are “in the market” less.  Something else that is important to this group is accessibility – in terms of travel time, being found, visitor parking, and ease into and out of the building.

Mergers & Acquisitions: How Real Estate Can Play A Key Role

With M&A activity on the rise, a company’s occupancy terms can be a hidden asset, or an unexpected liability. On one hand, prevailing obligations might serve as a competitive advantage that contributes to greater profitability.  On the other, they might add significant debt and thereby constrain the capacity for growth. Since facilities costs are typically the second or third largest spend category, the impact could be major.  M&A events can be great opportunities to reevaluate the real estate function and how it supports the overall business goals.