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“I’m About to Sign a Lease, What do I Need to Know?”

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Dear El Cardinale’

I’m about to sign a lease. Call me crazy. It’s down to the final strokes on the dotted line, and I’m wondering, what should I be taking into consideration given “the COVID”?

– Leasin’ Lonnie

First, congratulations on making a future-thinking move during these uncertain times. Your question demonstrates leadership and care for your team.

To start, janitorial standards, HVAC maintenance, and the relationship with the landlord are more important than ever. Spell out in your lease the who, what, when, and where of janitorial responsibilities. This is the type of thing that large tenants would add to their leases in the past, now everyone in the building “community” should buy-in to these details.

The fact that tenants are together in a community also plays a different role than it did before. It’s like having a roommate, only now you want to be sure he’s accountable and following protocol. This is where having a working relationship with the landlord comes into play. 

I will be writing more in-depth on this topic soon, so stay tuned.

I am working on an HQ relocation lease currently that is getting modified to address both the tenant and the landlord’s concerns. Do you want a copy of our pandemic lease checklist? Email me here.

Are you interested in seeing some of the resources we are using to help our client get clarity on this changing landlord/tenant relationship? Email me and I will send you white papers from Commercial Lease Law Insider, BOMA, and the CDC.

Be Safe, -JJC

Real estate transactions can be fraught with frustration and pitfalls.

Sometimes the hardest part turns out to be working with your broker, the person who is supposed to help you through the complexities. Veteran commercial real estate broker and client advisor John Culbertson discovered that brokers’ interests aren’t always aligned with those of their clients. He realized there was a better way to advocate for clients and get the deal done.

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I got to know John while serving on a state board and observed him be one of very high integrity and commitment to his clients. His approach to serving clients in the real estate business is unique and results-focused. I have no hesitation recommending him to any of my clients. I know he is a true professional and an expert in his field. He understands partnering like no one else!

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Working with a smaller shop gets you more personal attention. I got the top guy’s attention. You don’t get that with a large organization where sometimes you end up with junior people doing the work. John is detailed; he’s professional, he’s aggressive, and not in a negative way, but in terms of wanting to get it right. He’s tenacious. He would be my No. 1 choice for any real estate deal. I know what to expect. He’s a good guy, and over the years, he's become a good friend, too.

Stephen Pandos
Director of Finance, Insite Properties

Few people have a Rolodex like John. He's about the most networked person I know and people take his call. He has deep contacts with all the major players, both locally and around the region. As a result of John's introductions, we have found several exceptional deals and developed some valuable relationships. You can't put a price tag on this type of access and speed of trust.

Stephen Pandos
Director of Finance, Insite Properties

John has a high tolerance for the mental pain it takes to solve a complex problem. Frankly, his peers in the brokerage industry just don’t have it. I think John’s experience as an operator, investor, developer, and broker gives him a unique perspective when looking at opportunities. His vision, his ability to think forward, is unique in his profession. His ability to see the bigger picture and what the future looks like on opportunities is remarkable. He also is networked - he has deep contacts with all the major players, both locally and around the region. John’s network has opened doors for us. People take his call.

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