Leasing commercial real estate can be a daunting task for any business owner. I have some useful tips that can make leasing a little easier! I can help you find the perfect office, retail, or industrial space for your business.

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8 Tips for Leasing
Commercial Real Estate for
Your Business
by Marcus N. Daniels

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Work with a commercial
real estate agent
Tip #1
At NAI Michael, our commercial real estate agents are local market
experts that can help you identify the ideal space to lease for your
business. Our agents will help you:
• Identify spaces that you would not find on your own
• Pick a property with the right demographics
• Secure concessions from the landlord

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Give yourself
enough time
Tip #2
There are many factors that can
affect the success of your business
so be sure to research everything
before you lease commercial
space. Give yourself six months
to a year to navigate through the
entire process, from site research
to lease negotiations.

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Select a location that’s right for your
kind of business
Tip #3
Selecting a commercial location for your business is one of the most important decisions you will make. While the
nature of your business often determines your specific location, it is wise to have an idea of what general area you
want to locate your business and research demographics and traffic counts.

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Analyze the competition
Tip #4
Finding a good location without competition is close to impossible.
NAI Michael agents can help you identify locations with
complementary businesses nearby or with competitors from which
you differentiate yourself.

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Calculate
your costs
Tip #5
The sticker price alone doesn’t
account for the total cost. At
NAI Michael, we research all
associated costs for leasing
space, including utilities, taxes,
common area maintenance,
condo fees and more.

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Vet the building and the
landlord
Tip #6
Real estate agents have valuable experience with local buildings, and
often know their landlords’ reputations. Talk to our agents to ask them
questions about the area, the space, the landlord, and other things you
need to consider as a potential new tenant.

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Verify the
site’s zoning
Tip #7
Be sure to verify with your
commercial real estate agent that
your business’s use is permitted
by the site’s zoning. Many
properties have potential overlay
zones or enterprise zones that
can affect permitted uses and
business taxes.

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Conduct a comprehensive
search
Tip #8
Commercial properties, such as retail space or office space for lease,
are often advertised in online in searchable databases. However, these
online lists are typically very limited, and only include a small sample of
the total available spaces. Our agents at NAI Michael can put together
a comprehensive search that includes all available spaces in the market,
plus properties that may not be listed. This ensures that you have the
whole picture when making a decision for your business.

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Have more questions about leasing
commercial space for your business?
Contact Marcus Daniels at NAI Michael today to learn more
about leasing opportunities and available properties. We are
commercial real estate experts in the Washington DC region.
Email Marcus at mdaniels@naimichael.com with
your questions or call (301) 459-4400
About Marcus
Marcus N. Daniels is an Associate with NAI Michael that focuses on serving the
religious and non-profit sectors of the commercial real estate industry. Prior to joining
the NAI Michael team, Marcus managed community development lending at Harbor
Bank of Maryland.
Marcus is the founder of the Maryland Community Development Corporation, an
emergingcommunitydevelopmentfinancialinstitutionthatprovidestechnicalassistance
and capital solutions for small businesses and community-based organizations.