Q: How do you choose a real estate agent? A: Probably the very best way to answer this question is to tell you how we choose a real estate agent when an assignment takes us off Long Island. In that case, we may need the expertise of a local agent to assist me with properties, zoning, economic...

There are lessons to be learned from the largest companies in America when it comes to managing your real estate. But the decision to buy or lease real estate may not be one of them. Fortune 500 Corporate America has indeed been divesting itself of real estate holdings, and, as a general rule,...

Can you provide some ball-park costs associated with relocating our company? We’re concerned that these secondary costs may get out of hand. You have a right to be concerned. I am always surprised at the companies that will negotiate the price of their new facility down to the last dollar, without...

Q: We have received an offer on our 16,000 square foot industrial building. What are our next negotiating steps? A: Fundamental to any successful negotiation is thorough preparation – this is the work that needs to be done before a counter-offer is made. Entire books have been written about the...

Q: Can you provide some ball-park costs associated with relocating our company? We’re concerned that these secondary costs may get out of hand. A: You have a right to be concerned. I am always surprised at the companies that will negotiate the price of their new facility down to the last dollar,...

What is a fair rent increase in a commercial lease? My firm is negotiating a lease on an industrial building, and the landlord is asking for a 4% escalation every year. Is there a standard rent increase for industrial leases? There are no standard or published lease escalations. Escalation terms...

Q:  We want to purchase an industrial building to house our growing import and distribution business. I have heard that the three most important criteria in selecting real estate are “location, location, and location.” What other criteria would you suggest? In working with our clients, we...

Q: We are selling an industrial building and have multiple offers that are very close. Besides price, how else would you evaluate the offers in making a final decision? A:   This has been a common occurrence on Long Island in the last few years (and frustrating for buyers) as increasing...

Q: We are trying to buy an industrial building for our distribution business. We have lost two deals in a row, and are getting frustrated. I’m wondering what suggestions you might have to actually close a deal once you have found the property you want. A: Entire books have been written about the...

Q: Everyone seems to think that we should buy, not lease, our next building. What is the best way to make this decision? A: While every case is different, there are certain underlying factors that drive the best decision in most buy-lease scenarios. These factors are the availability of capital,...