Common Leasing Mistakes

Negotiating without professional representation

If you negotiate for yourself, it is very likely that you are leaving money on the table. With Austin Office Space on your side, your agent will know the best deals being made in the market and will negotiate against the owner for every possible concession. The expert knowledge of a third party negotiator gives you powerful leverage to get the best deal. (Use an office leasing specialist, even if it is not us!)

The time required to lease space

Every week we receive calls from people who need to move within 30 days. Although possible, it can be difficult and more costly. Relocating a business and signing a lease is most often a very involved, time-consuming process. We encourage our clients to start working with us AT LEAST three to six months in advance.

Working directly with the building agent

Building leasing agents have a legal obligation to represent the owner’s interests at all times. They will not volunteer negative information about the property they are representing or tell you that the owner will accept a lower rental rate. The owner has an expert on their side protecting their interests– who is on your side?

The complexity of the leasing process

Although leasing office space may not be brain surgery, it is a detailed, time-consuming process. It can be very stressful to run a business while trying to negotiate a lease and move at the same time. Allow plenty of time for each step of the process and get expert help. Handling all the leasing details is what brokers do best.

Paying the sticker price

All business terms in a lease are negotiable. Most landlords set their initial lease terms in much the same way car dealers set automobile prices – higher than they are willing to accept. After we receive a Lease Proposal from a landlord, we make a counter offer to negotiate for better terms. In your letter of intent we can suggest a lower price, higher Tenant Improvement Allowance and free rent. Our office leasing specialists know exactly what to offer to arrive at the best deal possible.

Pretending to be a lawyer

Reviewing your own lease is like playing a football game without pads or a helmet. Unless you are a lawyer or a commercial real estate agent, you need help sifting through the lease and protecting your interests. The owner’s lawyer has drafted 30 legal -sized pages of 8-point type to make sure that the owner is protected at all costs! It is the job of your attorney and broker to point out potentially serious problems with the contract.