Showing posts with label Concord. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Concord. Show all posts

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Property Management: Being a Good Tenant

If you are a commercial renter, and you deal with a property management agency or property manager – you have a unique relationship that needs to be nurtured and respected. A good relationship with your property manager will ensure you have a wonderful stay at this property. A bad relationship, will leave you both unhappy and unproductive.

When moving into the property, be sure to politely reach out to your property manager with a friendly “Hello!” and provide the best contact information for your business. You want to make sure the lines of communication are open. If your property manager can contact you easily, it might mean they take your calls quicker later down the road. You don’t need to be your property manager’s best friend. But, you should immediately demonstrate your ability to work with them. Let them know about any special circumstances concerns you may have. Will children be in the space? Do you have employees with special needs? An odd work schedule? Let them know.

When a problem or situation arises in your commercial rental unit, contact the property manager immediately. Depending on your rental agreement, you might be able to handle the crisis yourself. Still, you want to make the property manager aware of it ASAP. Once they are aware of the situation, give them a professional amount of time to handle the problem. Don’t keep calling, avoid pestering or annoying your property manager or agency. Some property managers have several properties, or this is a side-job or part-time situation for them. Contact them with issues that they are obligated to address in the lease agreement. Be polite, professional, and businesslike when you do contact them.

You should understand this is a business relationship and you need to maintain some boundaries. If your property manager is not responding to your needs, you should discuss it with him/her before going to the landlord or outside assistance. If you are supposed to have your sidewalks shoveled within 12 hours of snow-fall, then that is what should be done. Don’t bend too often, or you might find yourself bending always.

A property manager, like landlord, is there to ensure your commercial space arrangement is exactly what you are paying for…with your help! If the two of you work in tandem, you will ensure a safe, secure, and stress-free business relationship.

If you are looking for commercial, retail or office space in the Charlotte, Fort Mill, Boone, Myrtle Beach, or Concord area, please give Kuester a call!

Kuester Companies
Corporate Office
1300 Altura Road
Fort Mill, SC 29708
tel: 704.973.9019
toll free: 888.600.5044
fax: 803.802.0005

Kuester Companies
Coastal Office
1200 48th Avenue North; Suite 102
Myrtle Beach, SC 29578
tel: 843.839.9704
toll free: 888.600.5044
fax: 843.839.9706

Kuester Companies
South Park Office
6600 Central Pacific Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28210
tel: 704.973.9016
toll free: 888.600.5044
fax: 704.552.1008

Kuester Companies
Boone, NC Office
178 Highway #105 Extension Suite 201
Boone, NC 28607
tel: 803.578.7725
toll free: 888.600.5044

Kuester Companies
Concord Office
9505 Moss Plantation Avenue
Concord, NC 28027
tel: 704.973.9017
toll free: 888.600.5044

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Introducing Moss Creek in Concord, NC

Kuester Management manages the beautiful Moss Creek Village, a meticulously planned community in Concord, North Carolina.

Moss Creek is an easy commute to downtown Charlotte, NC and the surrounding areas. North Carolina's biggest tourist attraction: Concord Mills Mall is just a short 10-minute drive from this quiet, secluded community.

For families with young children, Moss Creek is an ideal location. Cabarrus County public schools are among the best in the state, and Moss Creek is home to two brand new locations, Odell Elementary and Harris Road Middle Schools.

The Moss Creek nature trail is a hidden treasure, running along the East branch of the Rocky River, giving residents a beautiful outdoors experience, for the casual walker to the nature enthusiast. Trails are accessible from a number of different locations within the community, and are bicycle and stroller friendly.

The Monarch Club, Moss Creek's community center, offers tennis and basketball courts, a playground, and a world-class swimming pool complex. The pool area includes something to for everyone: an Olympic-sized pool, baby wading pool, kids' feature pool, and an adults-only lap pool. in fact Olympic athletes from Mecklenburg Aquatic Club trained at Moss Creek's amazing pool facility, and four of them brought home medals from the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing!

Are you interested in learning more about Moss Creek? Contact us at Kuester!

Friday, June 19, 2009

The Property Management Contract

Dear Property Manager --

What should be included in a property manager's contract. We are considering hiring a small company for a commercial property we own, and it seems there are things missing.

Thank you,
George, Concord NC

Dear George:

The manager will be taking on significant responsibilities, and they should all be included in the contract. The contract should have at least the following:

1. The names of all parties to the contract
2. The legal property address
3. Clearly define the responsibilities of the property manager and the owner
4. Give a breakdown of all fees including management, maintenance, marketing and commissions for leasing or real estate sales.
5. Define beginning and end dates for the contract
6. Have a place to sign and date for both the manager and the owner.

Besides that, many contracts will go into elaborate detail on clauses and how responsibilities are handled. I always feel that the more information the better, and recommend that you have an attorney review this and any contract.

If you have any additional questions about property management options in Concord, please give us a call at 704.973.9017.

Property Manager
www.kuester.com

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Commercial Space in Concord

Dear Property Manager,

We are a small commercial company and we own a large, multi-use building development in Concord. There are residential, retail and professional spaces and we have had trouble getting all of the spaces leased out because of the current economy.

Would Kuester be able to take over a project like this and handle the leasing, etc.? We would like to use our limited resources on finishing up the build and build-out on two other commercial projects.

Bill M.
Concord, NC

Dear Bill,

Many commercial developers are struggling right now and we would be happy to assist you if your property is a good fit. We are currently taking over a similar large property in SouthPark and will work to do the property management, including filling the vacant spaces. We would be doing this through the specialized Kuester Real Estate Services division of The Kuester Companies.

For a little background on our company: The Kuester Companies operates throughout South and North Carolina. The real estate experts at Kuester have a broad array of experience in all areas of real estate including HOA Management, Real Estate Consulting & Development, Property Maintenance, Brokerage and Property Management. We have many ongoing projects in Concord, Fort Mill, Myrtle Beach, Charlotte and Boone.

We have been fortunate to remain strong during this downturn and that is in large part due to our staff. You can read a little about our gifted personnel on our website.

Please give our Concord property management office a call at 704.973.9017.

- Property Manager

Friday, May 15, 2009

Options in Commercial Real Estate Leases

Dear Property Manager:

My one-year lease is almost up on my new business. I was given a discount on the price by the landlord since I was a new business, which has helped a lot, but it was only a 1-year term. Things are going well, and we have steady growth. I am trying to figure out what the best option is for me—whether to stay, or go, what the rent price will be etc. Can you tell me what my options will be if I want to stay at this location? The lease is up in August, and I know I need to handle this soon, but I am going into my busy season and have so much on my plate right now… help!

Dakota J.
Concord, NC


Dear Dakota,

Congratulations on your business success – and good luck on your exciting future!

When your commercial real estate lease is coming up, you are several options. The first option would be to renew, however, since landlords will want to raise the rent at the end of the initial agreed period, and you were given a “starter-business rate,” you will need to handle this immediately. If you can get an option to renew at a great fixed price, you may want to try to extend your lease term to 3-5 years to avoid the possibility of rent going up again this time next year.

You could also choose a short lease, (if your commercial landlord will grant you one) with one or more options to renew to give you some flexibility. In this case you will probably have a certain block of time before the initial lease term ends in which you can notify the landlord that you wish to renew. Be aware there may be an additional fee.

Another option you may wish to consider is the option for additional space, so that you can grow and expand your business. If the landlord believes in your business and your ability as a tenant to attract other businesses of interest they may offer you this additional space at a deep discount. Good luck again, and make sure you take the time to handle the details of your commercial lease as soon as possible. Where your business is located, and the ROI of that is paramount to the success of your growing business. If you would like to look at other property options in the Concord area, or discuss your options, feel free to call our Concord office at 704.973.9017.

Property Manager
Kuester Property Management
Concord, NC

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Lease Agreements: Property Management

Dear Property Manager,

I have owned a commercial building in Concord for 2 years that I took over when my father passed away. I had hired my brother-in-law to handle the property management for me, but I am realizing now that this was a mistake. The tenants have been complaining about lawn maintenance, and building upkeep—including areas that I think are their responsibility, and have joined together saying that they will not pay rent this month unless I take care of these things. My lease agreement states that the tenants accept the premises “as is”—and are responsible for the inside building maintenance, but one of my tenants is an attorney, so I need to be careful. I don’t want to lose the tenants, but I don’t know how to make all the changes without increasing rent, or even if I am legally obligated to do so.

I need to help with this situation—and then hire a professional maintenance company. Do you have any suggestions?

Gary H. Concord, NC


Dear Gary –

First off, I need to say that I am not a commercial real estate attorney – and clearly you need to talk to yours.

What I can tell you is that most commercial leases provide that the landlord will take care of things like maintenance of the common areas of the property – and that includes the lawn maintenance, parking lot, common hallways or sidewalks. Generally, unless the property is a single-tenanted building, the lawn, for example, is not under their control. There is a part of your lease that deals with your specific landlord obligations, and probably addresses what you are responsible for. It would probably be best for you to consult your lawyer to assist in interpreting whether you are entitled to recover the costs associated with upkeep of the common areas, and repairs. But my recommendation would be to make the repairs and hire a qualified property management company immediately to deal appropriately with tenant satisfaction and management. In the long run, you will save money and frustration, and keep your building filled—which in this economy is especially important.

If you would like to speak to someone in our Kuester Concord office, give us a call at 803.578.7701.

Property Manager
Kuester Property Management