Every commercial property owner and tenant has to decide when to hire a property manager or broker. Should you choose a small local commercial real estate company or a larger one? Obviously, there is more a lot to consider. So, the following might be helpful if you are trying to decide who to go with.
Large Firm Talk
Recently, I was researching other commercial real estate brokerages in my market. A question was asked on the website of one of the large national firm’s landlord representation page. I thought the answer demonstrated perfectly how large corporate firms could be very different from small local brokerages. The question was: “How can I distinguish my building from other properties?” And the answer went like this:
“Cultivating and highlighting your property’s unique amenities requires a nuanced understanding of the property, local ecology profile, and the market at large. It’s also important to showcase the benefits of adjacent tenants and services, as leasing space to complementary businesses can help foster a sense of community that makes the property more desirable.”
Small Firm Talk
Now I get it; some folks really talk like that. Some companies may need a broker that talks like that because that’s how they talk at their company. However, here is a different way to phrase the above answer. “You need to have a thorough knowledge of your property and market. And, by describing the tenant mix in your building and the surrounding area, you can make your property more attractive to prospective tenants.” I know it doesn’t sound as fancy, but that may be closer to how you talk.
It’s a subtle point I’m making here, but different firms have different cultures, and you might want to consider the culture of the firm you are going to be working with. That’s not to say all small firms are down to earth. Many small brokerages try hard to look and sound stuffy and important, but we don’t talk or act like that, and I think our clients, even our big Fortune 500 clients, tell us they appreciate that. If you want to learn more, check out our reviews, then ask us to help you today.