In the world of commercial real estate, all tenants benefit from the upkeep of common areas, so it stands to reason that those tenants can be assessed fees to help with the associated expenses. After all, a clean, well-maintained environment reflects on their business, gives a boost to daily operations and in a retail setting, likely helps keep customers coming back. But exactly what can be included in common area maintenance, or CAM, charges can generate confusion. Many facets of property maintenance have an assoc... read more

As a commercial real estate investor, you need to know whether your investment is meeting your financial goals. That’s where Net Present Value comes in. NPV is widely misunderstood, so let’s get a handle on what it means and how it can help you make knowledgeable decisions about your property investments.   Understanding net present value (NPV) NPV is a calculation that allows investors to clearly see whether their investment is reaching their target yield. It also figures in the adjustment that m... read more

When it comes to the modern business office, it turns out it’s not your father’s cubicle farm anymore. Not long ago, it seemed a few edgy startups and co-working spaces were designing offices that looked very different—open concept with lofted ceilings and big, multipurpose spaces. They were the kind of spaces that seemed to breathe creativity—great for marketing companies and writers, but the rest of us? Well, some of us weren’t so sure. These days, even more traditional companies are... read more

Understand CRE better by understanding these terms. Commercial Real Estate (CRE), like any complex industry, comes with a lot of jargon. But it’s worth your while to know the terminology. Whether CRE is new to you, or you feel like you’re pretty savvy, here’s a chance to test your knowledge to see how well you understand some of the terms used. Let’s get started. ... read more

When you think about it, transportation services and commercial real estate have a lot in common. Both have been around for decades, and both services essentially rent time and space in property owned by others. Another thing the two industries have in common is the drastic disruption resulting from modern technology. Where once we had taxicabs to get us from one place to another, we now have personal drivers we hail via our smartphones. In fact, as of this year, Uber and Lyft together have amassed a huge 70 percen... read more