TSB

screen printing => General Screen Printing => Topic started by: inkbrigade on November 27, 2012, 08:29:36 PM

Title: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: inkbrigade on November 27, 2012, 08:29:36 PM
So our lease is up on our shop in May 1st. 2013 we're so packed in here it's not even funny. We're looking to move from 2,500 SQ feet to a 8-10K square foot place. We don't want to move again in 3-5 years. We're not looking for a store front as most if not all our business is phone, web, email.

One thing i'm wondering about is hiring an agent. Someone to work our side of the deal. Has anyone done this? Is it worth it? I know it's like private real state where their commission is paid by the building owner so it's no out of pocket for us.. kinda.

But i'm wondering how you even find someone like this?

Also i came up with a list of questions / needs for the new place. Anyone have anything to add or any advise / knowledge they have now that they wish they would have known before getting a new place?

I'd really appreciate it!

Questions: 

3 phase available? 
How many amps coming into the unit?
Natural Gas hookup? 
Can we cut a hole in the roof for our dryer exhaust?
Water? 
Drains?
No compete clause?

Thanks,
Jamie
Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: cbjamel on November 27, 2012, 08:54:33 PM
In Colorado we have buyer agents/sellers and combined version. Till you buy then you pay. Other thing is commercial versus Industrial zoned. Sometimes what you are doing dictates that and also taxes will be different sometimes. Internet type you want available also. Don't forget cooling and heating that size building.

Some thoughts.

Just FYI.

Good luck.
Shane
Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: royster13 on November 27, 2012, 09:02:45 PM
Is there nothing you can buy?....It will be so sad to pay rent for years to come and have no equity to show for it....
Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: Binkspot on November 27, 2012, 09:14:26 PM
We got lucky and stumbled upon a broker by accident. Had no intention of using one but he ended up getting us a good lease for our area in a new building. One of the few honest and straight forward people we met in our search for new space. If you can find an honest one I would at least consider it. His commission was paid by the building owner so no cost out of our pocket.

Wet sprinkler system. Nice plus with the insurance company.
Talk to your insurance people to see what and where to look to get best deal with them. 
Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: Prosperi-Tees on November 27, 2012, 09:24:07 PM
At the size you are looking at you must have the business to support it so I would for sure look to buy although in my area there are a few 10k sq ft shops for only $1800 a month, just not a great area.
Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: LuxInks on November 27, 2012, 11:06:01 PM
At the size you are looking at you must have the business to support it so I would for sure look to buy although in my area there are a few 10k sq ft shops for only $1800 a month, just not a great area.

Wow man, that's a really low for a big spot like that! In my area, it's 1200 sq ft for $1800 a month. Granted, I can drive 5 minutes to the beach and see hot girls running around in bikini's pretty much year round, and I can surf when time permits and waves are good, but that's some killer prices up there!
Inland about 20 minutes from here, the ghetto spots are at about $.50 a sq ft....I'd rather stay where we're at than go 20 minutes inland haha.
Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: brandon on November 28, 2012, 01:31:14 AM
Hey Jamie,
You can call me tomorrow on my cell if you want. We are kinda' in the same boat as to take over the warehouse next door, knock down walls and completely rebuild everything (our main plan as of now, just depending on if the landlords will put their money where their mouth is) or just move. Glad you are moving into more room than you need as you will need room for all those blanks! Just make sure you get the HIGHEST ceilings you can.

1. Costco like racks! We use them and go three levels up. We seriously store thousands of blanks going up just by a few feet by a few feet.

2. Need a second floor? Build it! We did. And no need for pesky city officials. Better to ask forgiveness than permission with those jokers in this situation. Otherwise play the waiting game. In Seattle it is anywhere from 6 months to 2 years for a city inspector regarding certain building permits. Not making that up!

I have more, just give me a ring man tomorrow or whenever. Maybe I can swing down there this weekend!
Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: ebscreen on November 28, 2012, 01:05:11 PM
Hire a broker. No skin off your nose and they'll typically get you a better deal than without.
My current place had a broker working for them, and he still got me a way better deal than what
they were asking. (he literally said, "but between you and me, I think they'll go down to $0.65/sqft".
And they did.


Here in California you have to get permits even for pallet racks. And a fire department inspection.
And if they aren't seismic rated they'll chain your doors.
Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: brandon on November 28, 2012, 01:44:51 PM
Here in California you have to get permits even for pallet racks. And a fire department inspection.
And if they aren't seismic rated they'll chain your doors.

Yeah, the earthquake thing. We are located in a part of downtown on the water that is all reclaimed land. Used to be "Hooverville" if you know anything about our countries history. But it took me about 2 months to find an insurance company that would cover us for earthquake. Only one in the entire state would do it. Crazy
Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: ebscreen on November 28, 2012, 01:49:17 PM
Spent a lot of time down in Georgetown and around the old Rainier brewery waiting for trains.
And up in the U hassling college students. I really like Seattle a lot, though I've only been there
during the week of summer.

Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: brandon on November 28, 2012, 01:57:48 PM
Spent a lot of time down in Georgetown and around the old Rainier brewery waiting for trains.
And up in the U hassling college students. I really like Seattle a lot, though I've only been there
during the week of summer.

Hey, when were you here? Would have been great to meet you. Seattle is great during our 6 to 8 weeks of summer (this was our first summer in about 2 years as we didn't have one last year) but the rest of the year cold, gray, and raining. Ugh. My wife's sister lives about 5 minutes from your shop. I believe I drove past it about 4 years ago but I did not know you
Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: ebscreen on November 28, 2012, 02:04:51 PM
I used to stop by Seattle every summer on my way around the country. Up, then over, then down, then back.
I have some family up there as well, though most have moved out into the sticks, Duvall and the likes.
Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: blue moon on November 28, 2012, 02:37:09 PM
So our lease is up on our shop in May 1st. 2013 we're so packed in here it's not even funny. We're looking to move from 2,500 SQ feet to a 8-10K square foot place. We don't want to move again in 3-5 years. We're not looking for a store front as most if not all our business is phone, web, email.

One thing i'm wondering about is hiring an agent. Someone to work our side of the deal. Has anyone done this? Is it worth it? I know it's like private real state where their commission is paid by the building owner so it's no out of pocket for us.. kinda.

But i'm wondering how you even find someone like this?

Also i came up with a list of questions / needs for the new place. Anyone have anything to add or any advise / knowledge they have now that they wish they would have known before getting a new place?

I'd really appreciate it!

Questions:

3 phase available?
How many amps coming into the unit?
Natural Gas hookup?
Can we cut a hole in the roof for our dryer exhaust?
Water?
Drains?
No compete clause?

Thanks,
Jamie

I shopped around as I had the time. It took about three months of calling and visiting. We then worked two places against each other and selected the one we liked more. We have 4800 sq feet (3k front rest warehouse) and are paying about half the going rate. It was a building recently purchased by a realestate company and since it was mostly empty, they needed tenants.

The kicker is, front is carpeted and airconditioned! AC is costing few hundred per month in the summer, but it is worth every penny from the productivity and morale standpoint. This used to be a call center with cubicles so it has two large HVAC units on the roof.

pierre
Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: GraphicDisorder on November 28, 2012, 02:45:58 PM
Before I bought our place our rent was $1500 per month for 8,000sqft.  We used a real-estate agent, but found the place on my own but wanted someone between me and the owner and I am glad I did that.  We had some issues with things over the last 3 years and the owner is impossible to reach so the real-estate agent would handle issues and take it out of what he paid the owner from our rent. 

Now that I own the place I now collect $1600 per month for other portion of our building.  I didn't really think I would get into real-estate but it was a wise choice for us in this case.  Our building is 14ksqft total.  We do not share anything with the back side, other than 1 cinder block wall with no doors.  The back has its own entry and bay doors just like our side.  When I decide I need more space, I will boot them and have another 6k sqft.  I estimate that will be 2-3 years max.
Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: Screened Gear on November 28, 2012, 02:52:46 PM
Before I bought our place our rent was $1500 per month for 8,000sqft.  We used a real-estate agent, but found the place on my own but wanted someone between me and the owner and I am glad I did that.  We had some issues with things over the last 3 years and the owner is impossible to reach so the real-estate agent would handle issues and take it out of what he paid the owner from our rent. 

Now that I own the place I now collect $1600 per month for other portion of our building.  I didn't really think I would get into real-estate but it was a wise choice for us in this case.  Our building is 14ksqft total.  We do not share anything with the back side, other than 1 cinder block wall with no doors.  The back has its own entry and bay doors just like our side.  When I decide I need more space, I will boot them and have another 6k sqft.  I estimate that will be 2-3 years max.


That is so cheap. You probably paid less for your 14 sq ft building than my house. Location, Location, location...
Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: ebscreen on November 28, 2012, 03:06:10 PM
Seriously. That would be in the several millions here.

Oddly enough I want to retire (next year) in Georgia.
Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: brandon on November 28, 2012, 03:20:58 PM
hahaha, I eventually want to move back to Charleston, SC or New Orleans, LA myself!
Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: GraphicDisorder on November 28, 2012, 03:37:23 PM
Before I bought our place our rent was $1500 per month for 8,000sqft.  We used a real-estate agent, but found the place on my own but wanted someone between me and the owner and I am glad I did that.  We had some issues with things over the last 3 years and the owner is impossible to reach so the real-estate agent would handle issues and take it out of what he paid the owner from our rent. 

Now that I own the place I now collect $1600 per month for other portion of our building.  I didn't really think I would get into real-estate but it was a wise choice for us in this case.  Our building is 14ksqft total.  We do not share anything with the back side, other than 1 cinder block wall with no doors.  The back has its own entry and bay doors just like our side.  When I decide I need more space, I will boot them and have another 6k sqft.  I estimate that will be 2-3 years max.


That is so cheap. You probably paid less for your 14 sq ft building than my house. Location, Location, location...

$330k.  Appraised for $438k, so I have 108k equity.  I put zero down as well.  In fact I walked away from closing with a $3,300 check to me.  Never so much as met the bank until closing day.  I did it all via email. 

I think I did very well on the deal. 
Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: Screened Gear on November 28, 2012, 04:01:43 PM
Good deal. You got 14k Square feet for just more than my 2K house. That is awesome. How much is the payments? Are you paying less now?
Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: GraphicDisorder on November 28, 2012, 04:13:48 PM
Good deal. You got 14k Square feet for just more than my 2K house. That is awesome. How much is the payments? Are you paying less now?

Paying less now over all.  Rather not put the payment out there. 
Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: Screened Gear on November 28, 2012, 05:00:28 PM
Good deal. You got 14k Square feet for just more than my 2K house. That is awesome. How much is the payments? Are you paying less now?

Paying less now over all.  Rather not put the payment out there.

I understand. That's an amazing deal. People look at real estate the wrong way. I have 3 rentals. People always as what I paid for them. I say monthly nothing. (I did pay alot in fixing them up and so on) I make money on all of them. If you look at your buying the building this way you got it for free. Your paying less now so technically they are paying you to own the building. way to go. Now stop screwing around and help poor Shelly get the work done there.
Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: GraphicDisorder on November 28, 2012, 05:49:04 PM
Good deal. You got 14k Square feet for just more than my 2K house. That is awesome. How much is the payments? Are you paying less now?

Paying less now over all.  Rather not put the payment out there.

I understand. That's an amazing deal. People look at real estate the wrong way. I have 3 rentals. People always as what I paid for them. I say monthly nothing. (I did pay alot in fixing them up and so on) I make money on all of them. If you look at your buying the building this way you got it for free. Your paying less now so technically they are paying you to own the building. way to go. Now stop screwing around and help poor Shelly get the work done there.

I think what scared me most was just not wanting to be a landlord, not sure I even still do.  But as you said, it's almost like I am being paid to own it.  I am happy with it though.  Got 2.5 acres with it too!
Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: Screened Gear on November 28, 2012, 06:08:44 PM
Good deal. You got 14k Square feet for just more than my 2K house. That is awesome. How much is the payments? Are you paying less now?

Paying less now over all.  Rather not put the payment out there.

I understand. That's an amazing deal. People look at real estate the wrong way. I have 3 rentals. People always as what I paid for them. I say monthly nothing. (I did pay alot in fixing them up and so on) I make money on all of them. If you look at your buying the building this way you got it for free. Your paying less now so technically they are paying you to own the building. way to go. Now stop screwing around and help poor Shelly get the work done there.

I think what scared me most was just not wanting to be a landlord, not sure I even still do.  But as you said, it's almost like I am being paid to own it.  I am happy with it though.  Got 2.5 acres with it too!

You must live in a sh!tty area. I feel sorry for you now.
Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: GraphicDisorder on November 28, 2012, 06:38:54 PM
Good deal. You got 14k Square feet for just more than my 2K house. That is awesome. How much is the payments? Are you paying less now?

Paying less now over all.  Rather not put the payment out there.

I understand. That's an amazing deal. People look at real estate the wrong way. I have 3 rentals. People always as what I paid for them. I say monthly nothing. (I did pay alot in fixing them up and so on) I make money on all of them. If you look at your buying the building this way you got it for free. Your paying less now so technically they are paying you to own the building. way to go. Now stop screwing around and help poor Shelly get the work done there.

I think what scared me most was just not wanting to be a landlord, not sure I even still do.  But as you said, it's almost like I am being paid to own it.  I am happy with it though.  Got 2.5 acres with it too!

You must live in a sh!tty area. I feel sorry for you now.

No sir just a area where the economy never grows it drastically or shrinks it drastically.  Tennessee is great.  Lived all over and I like it here.  I stole the shop and land.  Right place, right time deal!
Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: Screened Gear on November 28, 2012, 08:58:13 PM
Never been to Tennessee.  Lets see...

Jack Daniels
Elvis Presley
Davy Crockett
Moon Pies
Dolly Parton


Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: GraphicDisorder on November 29, 2012, 06:55:13 AM
Never been to Tennessee.  Lets see...

Jack Daniels
Elvis Presley
Davy Crockett
Moon Pies
Dolly Parton

Cheaper housing, land, wages, no state income tax, could go on lol.
Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: inkbrigade on December 15, 2012, 05:24:50 AM
Apparently i've been in outer space. I posted a question and never got back to the thread. Been super busy..

Anyways, we did find a building we'd love to buy. I was told through the grape vine that you could only do a 15 year mortgage on commercial property and you had to have a huge percentage down. That's a deal killer right there.
Does anyone know if that's correct? What was your deal like brandt in term of.. terms.

Right now we're in a 2500 sq ft space. We're so packed it's not even funny.

So as it stands right now we found a building we'd love to buy. 10K sq feet but it's lotsa money to say the least.

We found another we'd like to rent, it's basically a shell 10K sq feet, close to where we are not and we like that a lot. They want $3K a month, but like $900 for NNN. If we could get them down to $3200 i'd take it.

Our last option in to move into another unit in the building we're already in. It's a good building, love the location and love the land lady. But it's like $3100 a month, and it's only 4500 sq feet. It's about the size that would fit us now and for maybe the next year. But we keep growing every year, so i'm concerned we'd be bursting at the seams again in about a year.

Thanks for the advice on a commercial real estate agent from a trusted friend. I'm gonna call her and have her talk to the big place... See if they could do the $3200.



Title: Re: Looking for advice on leasing a new shop.
Post by: GraphicDisorder on December 15, 2012, 08:22:10 AM
Apparently i've been in outer space. I posted a question and never got back to the thread. Been super busy..

Anyways, we did find a building we'd love to buy. I was told through the grape vine that you could only do a 15 year mortgage on commercial property and you had to have a huge percentage down. That's a deal killer right there.
Does anyone know if that's correct? What was your deal like brandt in term of.. terms.

In this area the common commercial loan is 20 with 5 year balloons.  I wasn't thrilled about it but the bank said after the first 5 years they often let people into a fixed 15-20yr deal at that point.  It's a feeling out phase basically.  We didn't put a cent down.  I did check with a few local banks and that was the common deal.  Even a company on our street same deal.  I was hopping more like a home loan, 30yr fixed.  No dice.

Right now we're in a 2500 sq ft space. We're so packed it's not even funny.

So as it stands right now we found a building we'd love to buy. 10K sq feet but it's lotsa money to say the least.

We found another we'd like to rent, it's basically a shell 10K sq feet, close to where we are not and we like that a lot. They want $3K a month, but like $900 for NNN. If we could get them down to $3200 i'd take it.

Our last option in to move into another unit in the building we're already in. It's a good building, love the location and love the land lady. But it's like $3100 a month, and it's only 4500 sq feet. It's about the size that would fit us now and for maybe the next year. But we keep growing every year, so i'm concerned we'd be bursting at the seams again in about a year.

Thanks for the advice on a commercial real estate agent from a trusted friend. I'm gonna call her and have her talk to the big place... See if they could do the $3200.

2,500 must be horrible to try to work in.  4,500 would probably allow you to breath now but like you said in a year or two what then?