Most marketers agree that it is more cost effective to retain a current customer than to find and sign on a new one. The same is true of tenants. Showing your appreciation for your tenants can help you create a positive environment at your property, strengthen your relationships with your tenants and improve tenant retention.
Here are 10 tenant appreciation ideas for property owners who want to build stronger relationships with their tenants this year.
1. Host a Tenant Appreciation Event
Consider hosting quarterly, semi-annual, or annual tenant appreciation events. Cater lunch, host a happy hour, or arrange a seasonal gathering where your tenants can relax, network, and feel that you value them.
2. Offer Complimentary Coffee or Breakfast
An easy and cost-effective way to improve your relationship with your tenants and show you care about them is to offer them something for free. Complimentary coffee and/or breakfast can boost your relationships with your tenants. Small treats go a long way (think bagels, muffins, and fruit).
3. Provide Free Wellness Classes
Your tenants may be interested in offering their teams wellness opportunities (or taking advantage of these opportunities themselves). Be a hero and arrange for weekly yoga, meditation, or fitness classes at your property. Or, offer discounts on gym memberships or wellness app subscriptions for your tenants.
4. Give ‘Em a Gift Bag
A gift bag is an unexpected and appreciated way to show you care about your tenants. The holidays are a natural time to give your tenants gift bags, but you can present gift bags to your tenants at any time of year (for example, their lease anniversary). Gift bags should have a personal touch and may include branded mugs, snacks, notebooks, or gift cards.
5. Simple Shoutouts
Sometimes, the simplest thank you is also the most effective. Highlight your tenants on your social media pages or in an email. Create a space in your lobby to showcase your tenants’ services, achievements, and recent milestones.
6. Host a Lunch n’ Learn
Many tenants will jump at the chance to attend a free professional development event. Lunch n’ learns fit the bill—arrange a guest speaker, order lunch, and help your tenants grow their professional skills.
7. Seasonal Raffles or Contests
Monthly or quarterly contests or raffles can help you stay in touch with your tenants and offer them something valuable without breaking the bank for you. Popular giveaways include gift cards, tech gadgets, or local experiences such as spa treatments or tickets to events.
8. On-Site Vehicle Services
If most of your tenants drive to your property, consider offering free or discounted vehicle services. This could include a free valet for tenants and their guests or regular visits to your property by a mobile car detailing service.
9. Surprise Monthly Treats
Special delivery! Surprise your tenants with monthly sweet treats delivered directly to their suites. Seasonal snacks, candy, a small plant, or other gifts are fun and unexpected and show your tenants that you care.
10. Develop a Tenant Perks Program
If you’ve already implemented several of these tenant appreciation ideas, consider taking your appreciation offerings to the next level and develop a tenant perks program. A perks program could include monthly wellness classes, discounts to local businesses, valet service, professional development, or other discounts of freebies you think would be attractive to your tenants.
Looking for more tenant appreciation ideas? The Clarity Commercial team is full of ideas of how to retain and attract great tenants. For professional commercial real estate management, contact Clarity Commercial today.
For more information or to request a free estimate, visit their website at https://myclaritycommercial.com/ or give us a call at (952) 370-224-2699.
Affiliations & Credentials: We are proud members of IREM, CCIM and MNCAR along with various professional organizations and hold relevant certifications in the real estate management field. Our affiliations and credentials demonstrate our commitment to excellence and our ongoing efforts to stay up-to-date with industry best practices.
If you are new to commercial leasing, haven’t negotiated your lease in a while, or are in the middle of negotiations and don’t know how to read the agreement, we’re here to help. Understanding essential commercial real estate terms can significantly impact the outcome of your negotiations. Here are 10 important commercial real estate terms you need to know, along with detailed explanations and examples that will help you navigate your lease agreements more effectively.
1. Triple Net Lease (NNN)
A triple net lease (NNN) is an agreement where the tenant is responsible for paying their share of the operating expenses of a property, including property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. These expenses are in addition to the base rent. For instance, if the base rent is $2,000 per month but the operating expenses total another $500, the tenant’s total monthly obligation would be $2,500. The landlord typically retains responsibility for structural issues and non-operating expenses (leasing commissions, tenant improvements, legal, marketing, etc.). It’s crucial to clarify these terms during negotiations to avoid unexpected costs.
2. Gross (Full Service) Lease
Unlike in a triple net lease, in a gross lease, the landlord is responsible for the property’s operating expenses such as maintenance, insurance, and property taxes. The tenant pays a single rent amount, which simplifies budgeting. For example, if the agreed rent is $3,000 per month, that amount covers all expenses, unlike NNN leases where costs can fluctuate. This type of lease is often preferred by tenants who want predictability in their expenses.
3. Base Rent
Base rent is the minimum rent required in the lease agreement. The base rent excludes expense recoveries such as utilities, property taxes, and maintenance fees. For example, if a lease states a base rent of $1,500, this amount does not include any additional costs incurred during the lease term. Understanding this distinction is crucial, as the total cost of occupying a space can significantly exceed the base rent when additional expenses are factored in.
4. Common Area Maintenance (CAM)
In a multi-tenant building with net or triple net leases, tenants pay a share of the cost of maintaining the common areas as part of operating expenses. Common area maintenance (CAM) costs typically cover the maintenance of the lobby, hallways, parking lot, and landscaping. For instance, if the total CAM expenses for a building are $10,000 and there are ten tenants, each tenant would be responsible for $1,000 of those costs. It’s essential to understand what is included in CAM fees to avoid unexpected charges.
5. Escalation Clause
Escalation clauses allow landlords to raise rent. It is common for landlords to increase rent to keep pace with inflation. For example, a lease may specify that rent increases by 3% annually. This means if your starting rent is $2,000, the rent would increase to $2,060 in the second year. Periodic rent increases can be stated as fixed percentages or dollar amounts, or variable tied to changes in the Consumer Price Index. Being aware of these clauses is vital for long-term financial planning.
6. Tenant Improvement (TI) Allowance
Landlords may offer to pay for some or all of the costs to make the leased space suitable for the tenant’s business needs. This is known as a Tenant Improvement (TI) allowance. For example, if a tenant plans to open a restaurant that requires significant modifications, the landlord might offer $50,000 in TI to cover renovations. Read more about tenant improvements here. Understanding TI allowances can be a negotiating tool for tenants looking to customize their space without incurring all the costs themselves.
7. Percentage Rent
Percentage rent agreements are sometimes used in retail leases. In these agreements, the tenant pays the landlord a base rent plus a percentage of their gross sales once sales pass a stipulated threshold. For example, a tenant might pay $1,500 in base rent plus 5% of sales exceeding $100,000. This arrangement can be favorable for landlords in high-traffic areas, as their earnings increase with the tenant’s success. It’s essential for tenants to understand how these agreements work and how to project their sales accurately.
8. Usable v. Rentable Square Footage
A commercial lease typically outlines usable and rentable square footage. Usable square footage includes the space that is exclusively for the tenant. Rentable square footage is the usable square footage plus a prorata portion of the building’s common areas. For instance, if a tenant occupies 1,000 square feet and the common areas account for another 200 square feet, the rentable square footage would be 1,200 square feet. It’s crucial for tenants to understand these measurements to avoid paying more than they should for their space.
9. Right of First Offer (ROFO)
When a lease provides a tenant the right of first offer, the tenant has the opportunity to lease additional space or purchase the property before the landlord offers it to another party. For example, if the landlord decides to lease an adjacent space, the current tenant gets the first chance to negotiate terms before the property is marketed. This clause can be advantageous for tenants looking to expand their operations without uncertainty.
10. Holdover Tenant
Leases often include clauses that govern what happens when a tenant’s lease term is expired. A holdover tenant is a tenant who remains on the property after the lease term expires without the landlord’s consent. The lease clause stipulates the rent rate and conditions that govern any holdover period, typically at a higher or punitive rent. For instance, if the original rent was $2,000, the holdover rent might increase to $2,500. This ensures the landlord is compensated in the event that a tenant remains past their lease term, and encourages the tenant to renew or leave promptly.
Commercial Real Estate Terms You Need to Know | Clarity Commercial
If you’re in the middle of lease negotiations or searching for your next tenant, Clarity Commercial can help you negotiate favorable terms. For professional commercial real estate management support, contact Clarity Commercial today.
Finally, educating yourself about current trends in commercial real estate can provide you with an edge in negotiations. For example, understanding the implications of remote work on office space needs can guide your decision-making process in today’s evolving market. By staying informed, you can negotiate more effectively and secure a lease that aligns with your business goals.
Furthermore, building relationships with landlords and property managers can also be beneficial. Open communication can lead to better negotiations and can foster a more positive leasing experience. For instance, landlords may be more willing to negotiate terms if they know the tenant is committed to a long-term relationship.
Additionally, it’s important to conduct thorough due diligence before signing any lease agreement. This includes understanding the local market conditions, potential growth of the area, and other factors that could impact your business operations. For example, if you are leasing retail space, consider the competition in the vicinity and the overall foot traffic in the area. These factors can greatly influence your business’s success.
Understanding these terms is crucial for anyone involved in commercial real estate, whether you are a tenant or a landlord. Each term plays a significant role in lease negotiations and can affect the overall cost and usability of the leased space. As you navigate the complexities of commercial leases, consider consulting with a real estate professional who can provide valuable insights and guidance tailored to your specific situation.
For more information or to request a free estimate, visit their website at https://myclaritycommercial.com/ or give us a call at (952) 370-224-2699.
Affiliations & Credentials: We are proud members of IREM, CCIM and MNCAR along with various professional organizations, and hold relevant certifications in the real estate management field. Our affiliations and credentials demonstrate our commitment to excellence and our ongoing efforts to stay up-to-date with industry best practices. Our team at My Clarity Commercial is dedicated to providing top-quality real estate management services.
In addition to our affiliations, our team also holds relevant certifications in real estate management. This includes certifications such as CPM (Certified Property Manager), ARM (Accredited Residential Manager), and CAM (Certified Apartment Manager). These credentials showcase our expertise.
Commercial real estate in the Twin Cities has been on a rollercoaster ride since 2020. The impacts of the pandemic continue to affect many commercial real estate markets in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Here are a few ways savvy property owners can maximize the ROI of their CRE portfolios.
1. Do Your Research on Commercial Real Estate ROI
Before you make adjustments to your lease terms or update your buildings, be sure to do your research. Complete a competitive analysis to understand what surrounding properties are doing to attract tenants and adjust your strategy as needed. If you’re hoping to attract a specific type of tenant, such as a medical device manufacturer or healthcare provider, take the time to learn more about these potential tenants and their specific needs.
2. Optimize Your Lease Agreements
When’s the last time you took a look at your lease agreement? If it’s been a year (or a decade), it’s time to review and optimize your agreements. If you do not already include regular rent reviews in your agreement, consider adding a clause that allows you to adjust rents according to market conditions. You may also want to consider adding flexible leasing options to your agreements to attract a wider range of tenants.
3. Improve Property Appeal
If it’s been several years since you’ve invested in upgrades at your property, now’s the time to make a few updates that can help you make more money in the future. Spruce up your landscaping, update your interior design, and stay on track with your maintenance plan. Cost-effective updates can make a big impact in what you’re able to demand in rent and maximize your investment in improvements.
4. Retain More Tenants
Retaining tenants is a lot more cost-effective than attracting new tenants. To retain more tenants, make sure you’re providing an exceptional tenant experience. Keep the lines of communication open and address their concerns promptly. Consider offering incentives for tenants to stick around, such as improvement allowances, flexible renewal terms, or property amenities.
5. Invest in Sustainability
Your portfolio’s sustainability plan is a great place to increase your portfolio’s ROI. Smaller projects such as installing energy-efficient lightbulbs and water-saving fixtures can help you save money on energy costs. You may also choose to install more efficient HVAC equipment to cut your energy bill further. Not only do these updates help you save money, they can attract environmentally minded tenants.
6. Diversify Your Revenue
If rent makes up 100 percent of your portfolio’s income, it’s time to diversify. Diversifying your portfolio helps you weather downturns in the market and makes your income more predictable. One way to diversify your revenue is to offer additional services, such as event space rentals, rentals for pop-up storefronts, or storage space. Consider adding advertising and retail to common areas to additional revenue to your portfolio.
7. Invest in Technology
Smart building technology, access control, and property management software can all help you work more efficiently and increase your revenue. Smart building technologies optimize energy use and maintenance tasks. Smart access control systems track visitors to your property in real time so you can improve security. Property management software gives you a bird’s-eye view of your portfolio so you can draw insights from tenant behavior and your properties’ performance.
8. Expand Your Portfolio
A strategic acquisition can help you grow your portfolio’s revenue. The ideal property complements your existing portfolio and has the ability to grow with minimal improvements. Looking in another market can help you diversify your portfolio and capitalize on opportunities outside of your current area.
9. Review Your Finances
A simple budgeting and forecasting exercise can help you understand if your budget is on track and forecast future expenses and income. A little financial checkup can help you uncover areas where you’re spending too much and reduce unnecessary expenses.
10. Outsource Your Property Management
One way to optimize your time and ensure that you’re making smart choices in regard to vendors is to work with a property management company like Clarity Commercial. Our professional team can help you with everything from budget forecasting to fixing a lightbulb. We work with the best vendors in the area to ensure projects are completed at your properties on time and for the best value possible.
Like we mentioned last month, the CRE market is on the upswing in many areas, but we’re not out of the woods yet. Clarity Commercial can help you make smart investments that will maximize your revenue and diversify your portfolio. For professional commercial real estate management support, contact Clarity Commercial today.
For more information or to request a free estimate, visit their website at https://myclaritycommercial.com/ or give us a call at (952) 370-224-2699.
Affiliations & Credentials: We are proud members of IREM, CCIM and MNCAR along with various professional organizations and hold relevant certifications in the real estate management field. Our affiliations and credentials demonstrate our commitment to excellence and our ongoing efforts to stay up-to-date with industry best practices.
We’re halfway through 2024, and it looks like multifamily, retail, and industrial properties are bouncing back from last year’s slump, while office vacancies continue to rise. If you’re looking for ways to cut your costs as your portfolio recovers, we have five ideas on how you can lower occupancy costs to improve portfolio performance. These tips are valuable not only for landlords; your tenants can use these tips to reduce their own costs and mitigate the need to look for another space once their leases are up.
1. Reconfigure Your Space to Lower Occupancy Costs
Hybrid work is driving changes in the configuration of office space. Private workspaces are going empty, while demand for collaborative spaces in offices has risen 40 percent since 2021. Over the last few years, tenants have been cutting space or reconfiguring their spaces to accommodate more coworking, teleconferencing, and flexible work.
As a landlord, you can capitalize on these trends by reconfiguring your existing spaces to make them appealing to tenants who are looking for more collaborative spaces or a reduced overall footprint. One large office suite could transform into two suites with flexible space. You may also consider investing in common area improvements that appeal to companies offering hybrid work, such as collaborative work areas and high-speed WiFi throughout your building.
2. Dig into Your Analytics
Your books can tell you a lot about the health of your portfolio. They can also help you find ways to cut your occupancy costs. Clarity Commercial can review your books with you to reveal your top costs, project future investments, and find opportunities to reduce current expenses.
3. Reduce Capital Expenses
In our review of your books, we may uncover ways to reduce capital expenses and cut future occupancy costs. Investments in many building improvements and upgrades can be converted from capital expenses to operating expenses once they are complete, turning them from investments into services you provide your tenants. An example of this would be installing solar panels on your building. You may be able to further reduce capital expenses by making early commitments on equipment orders and bundling smaller projects or recurring projects together.
4. Automate with Smart Technology
Smart technologies not only make it easier to manage your buildings, they reduce costs and can lead to increased tenant satisfaction. Your building engineering, HVAC, janitorial, security, landscaping, and access control can all benefit from smart technology improvements. These improvements help you cut your energy costs, more efficiently allocate your resources, and track occupancy levels.
5. Make Sustainability Improvements
Sustainability improvements are not only attractive to tenants, they help you reduce your operating costs and help you anticipate future regulations and mandates from your city, county, or state. Examples of sustainability improvements include switching to LED lighting, automating HVAC systems to improve efficiency, investing in solar power, implementing a recycling and composting program, and installing EV charging stations in your parking areas.
The CRE market is on the upswing in many areas, but we’re not out of the woods yet. Clarity Commercial can help you make sense of your books so you can uncover cost savings opportunities. Our CRE experts can help you make smart investments in the building improvements that will attract and retain tenants. For professional commercial real estate management support, contact Clarity Commercial today.
For more information or to request a free estimate, visit their website at https://myclaritycommercial.com/ or give us a call at (952) 370-224-2699.
Affiliations & Credentials: We are proud members of IREM, CCIM and MNCAR along with various professional organizations and hold relevant certifications in the real estate management field. Our affiliations and credentials demonstrate our commitment to excellence and our ongoing efforts to stay up-to-date with industry best practices.
