Even in a struggling economy, there are things within your control to attract great tenants and keep current tenants happy. If commercial tenants are hard to come by in your area, then competition for the few will be intense. Working now to ensure a property is in the best condition is a wise way to approach attracting the possible tenants who inquire.
A well-maintained property will attract the kind of tenants who will take better care of the property. This helps with maintenance costs for the owner long-term and is a best practice approach to protecting your investment. Additionally, taking a proactive approach helps you avoid local code violations, helps avoid costly emergency repairs, and boosts the overall value of the property.
Exterior Maintenance
The exterior of a commercial space is the first impression for a potential tenant. They will notice things like the cleanliness of the parking lot, trash or debris on the ground, a waste bin near the entrance to keep the place clean, and whether or not the exterior looks dirty or in disrepair. The exterior of the building can be a quick way for them to determine how much they want to lease in this location or not.
- Keep the exterior clean and free of trash.
- Maintain the landscape and parking areas to be clean.
- Freshly paint the doors and visible areas of the building regularly to keep the building looking new.
- Make sure that all exterior features are in good working order: doors, lighting, benches, etc.
Interior Maintenance
Depending on the type of commercial space, it’s important to also maintain the interior of the building. A strip mall may not have a common space that needs maintenance, but a commercial building would. Keep the common areas clean and free of trash. This area should be cleaned regularly and kept free from trash and anything else that does not belong.
Keep in mind that how the potential tenant sees the space the first time will plant a seed in their mind of how it will be maintained for the future. Subtle images like this can create a pattern of positive or negative behavior in people. If they see a space that is taken care of, they will work to take care of it also. The opposite is also true.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is important to potential tenants today for two reasons: budget and conscience. A space that is operating LEED certified or close to it will be more attractive because it will be cost-effective on the budget as well as nicely maintained. In the long run, it will save tenants money on their utilities and expenses and they will feel better knowing they are in an energy-efficient space. Even if your property was constructed years ago, there are steps you can take to increase your energy efficiency with lighting, HVAC upgrades, and smart thermostats. Every little bit helps.
Weaver can help
Your commercial property is a huge investment. The maintenance of it matters greatly to increasing occupancy and income. Think of it this way. If you purchase a Ferrari, how would you protect that investment? It would be kept in a garage, driven carefully and fully maintained to hold its value. Treating commercial properties (which appreciate in value) is equally important. Potential tenants see how a property is taken care of and make decisions about the property right away. Make sure they see a property in pristine condition that reflects your investment in it.
Weaver Realty is a full-service property management company. We can partner with you to provide the highest quality maintenance service and create a sustainable maintenance routine for your entire portfolio. Call us today at 904-733-0039 to work with our team of experts.
