As you might imagine, over the 24 years I’ve owned and operated my Indianapolis based tenant representation firm, CARMEN Commercial Real Estate Services, I’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand the many missteps tenants take with respect to office leases. As a matter of respect to the business community that has provided me with…
When counseling business owners and managers on leasing office space and industrial property in Indianapolis over the past 25 years, since founding CARMEN Commercial Real Estate, one of the most common questions I’ve been asked is: “Does it make sense to buy a building instead of leasing my real estate?” On the surface, the…
My team had a recent experience that provided us with a discouraging view of the commercial real estate brokerage industry. Arthur Rutenberg Homes is a medium-sized Florida-based company that recently opened its first Indiana office. After completing their project, Paul Hanson of Arthur Rutenberg Homes called and wanted to offer a testimonial of the…
With so many elements involved in planning and relocating or expanding your office space, it is easy to overlook some of the most important functional items. One of the most underestimated variables is the amount, size, and type of meeting spaces that will be needed in today’s office. Meeting space must be considered and planned for, no matter what…
The following is excerpted from Entrepreneur’s Ask the Money Guy, Joe Worth. When a concerned reader asked, “Any advice on how to lease my new location without getting ripped off?”, Entrepreneur’s Joe Worth had some answers. He shared 12 crucial criteria to consider, highlighting the need for proactive planning and shopping for a commercial real estate broker, specifically…
The concept of “Blend & Extend” with regards to commercial office industrial space leases is certainly not new. However, throughout the downturn of the economy, there’s been a considerable amount of new life breathed into the practice, with many companies clamoring to take advantage of rock-bottom lease rates and liberal landlord incentives, even though their current…
I’m always intrigued by the comparison of office rental rates with industry colleagues located in other U.S. and major foreign cities. When you look at Indianapolis office space versus other major cities around the world, the contrast can be shocking. The inexpensive Indianapolis office market sharply contrasts with major cities around the world, as evidenced by a…
Indianapolis and the surrounding areas of Carmel, Fishers, and Noblesville have become some of the best communities in the USA for families to live due to their low costs of living and high quality of life. And, that very same reason has prompted businesses to jostle for the available commercial real estate for rent…
You’re not alone in considering if it would be a better decision to purchase your own office space instead of continuing to lease office space. Yes, every organization is unique with its own set of specific needs, but there are major common factors that come into play for every business when evaluating your next…
Indianapolis is continually rising as one of the best cities to live in terms of cost of living. Businesses are continuously considering relocating to Indianapolis due to the growing popularity of the Midwestern city as well as the relative value of their real estate costs. Finding the right office space can be exceedingly stressful…
An article in the Indianapolis Business Journal chronicles the story of a couple who moved from Chicago’s northern suburbs to Carmel, Indiana. Not surprisingly, they are finding that their dollars go a lot further in central Indiana in everything from housing to daycare to taxes. Along with their story, the article shares the good…
Disputes between landlords and tenants can take many forms. We take a look at how this business aggravation can be remedied with the guidance of tenant representation and present options for managing a tenuous landlord situation. Dealing with a difficult landlord can be an aggravating, time-wasting ordeal for business owners and managers responsible for the real estate decision…
Indianapolis does not have a shortage of advantages when comparing the Midwestern city to others throughout the country. One of the most highly influential factors is the cost of living. A recent study conducted by Point 2 Homes highlighted Indianapolis as #4 for the best value when seeking a home. The study specifically focused on homes for $300,000 in cities such…
I recently read a peer’s blog post titled “5 Signs You Need New Office Space”, which I thought was valuable and worth sharing. However, I believe what might be more relevant is the top reasons today’s tenants decide it’s time to find new office digs. I’ve come up with the list below, which has some…
Indiana continues to be the new home of tech companies with the relocation of Emarsys’ headquarters to the state’s capital. The news of the Austrian company’s relocation to Market Tower was released early 2015. Emarsys’ expansion is actually ahead in its planning schedule. The company sought a city with an ample supply of tech talent,…
When a business owner or manager considers relocating the business, it’s not uncommon for them to consider a number of locations to find the best fit for their business. Although each business has its own unique needs, some variables are pretty consistent when businesses shop for office space: The Variables: Location and access Condition of…
Since starting my career leasing office and industrial space over 30 years ago, real estate abatement has consistently been a tool that landlords use to procure new tenants. In addition to simply being a landlord incentive for tenants to lease space in a particular building, rental abatement, a/k/a Free Rent, can also serve a few specific purposes for…
Top commercial real estate agents, Indianapolis agents, and agents elsewhere will agree. Working directly with tenants or potential tenants can be challenging. Why? Well, it isn’t the tenant’s fault, but they are typically unfamiliar with the commercial real estate process. Lease negotiations, tenant improvements (office build out, construction improvements) and other nuances specific to the…
As a design partner for Carmen, clients often seek my expert advice on colors to use in their office space. We find that many companies are increasingly interested in how they can use color to create a productive, functional, and aesthetically pleasing design in their workspace environment. Have you ever considered that something as simple as the color of your office walls could make employees MORE productive? Research states that visual…
