Learn Real Estate Costs Ahead of Needs

Small-Mid size users of commercial space (5K-100Krsf) often analyze their space needs just before starting a search; such timing would likely cost your business the wrong space size, overpriced deal terms and bloated operating costs. Also, merely comparing market rates to your rent [or mortgage] does not accurately measure the economics of your space. Do you know how much your occupancy costs take as a percentage of revenue [generated from the space ]?

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The costs to operate space are: rent (or mortgage and property taxes), utilities, IT network and phones. The one-time costs to expand/relocate can include: movers, architectural and/or project management services, construction (beyond landlord’s work), furniture & fixtures, voice and data wiring, phone and computer equipment. If changes to your space are in-review [among executives], knowing both the revenue generated from the space and its occupancy costs will help expedite planning and decision-making within budget.

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A triumvirate of academics and experience are blended to deliver this service; it sets me apart from conventional real estate analysts. i) a complex understanding of commercial real estate, ii) academics and hands-on experience assembling/interpreting the economics of business operations, iii) training/experience with spreadsheet software.

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I often performed this analysis for clients as commercial realtor; I was a virtual real estate department to emerging businesses with 5-100 employees in metros New York and Atlanta, 1995-2007. (Figures and space needs came from collaborating with the Comptroller and CEO). The results enabled me to source the right spaces and negotiate the sharpest of terms a landlord could afford; those business terms matched or cut the client’s projected occupancy costs.   I deliver this service in five steps:

1. Identify gross revenue from space / current occupancy costs (by category) = % occupancy costs claim from revenue.
2. Estimate future space needs and occupancy term; scrub to market conditions.
3. Project revenue from new space. How much more revenue could be kept as profit if occupancy costs were less?
4. Identify space costs for the next occupancy term via a projection of entry costs, rent and operating costs (mentioned above).
5. Compare sales projections to projected occupancy costs to reveal how much space is needed and what to budget for it. Add one-time relocation expenses outlined above.

(Note: Your results from this service will be most effective when completed two (2) years before operating from new space (up to 20Krsf; up to 4 years prior for 100Krsf). The lead time positions your business to negotiate from strength.)

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I can work directly for your company, collaborating with your Comptroller, or as subcontractor to the CPA firm you work with. I work per diem or by project; I estimate 24 hours per assignment; the work is completed in 5 consecutive days. If you’d like to talk with me, please click “Request a Consultation” at the mid right of the screen and fill out the form; I’ll reply to you within 24 hours. I trust that the content of this post was helpful to you. ###