Southcreek News

Southcreek News

Your Office Space for Rent in Overland Park: Organizing for Better Productivity

Whether you are moving into a new office space for rent in Overland Park and need to make that final push past the move-in clutter or your current office just needs a good spring cleaning, here are a few tips for getting your office space in peak productivity mode, as suggested in the article “How to Organize Your Office for Maximum Productivity”:

Step 1: Deep Clean Your Kansas Office Space For Rent

The first step to getting organized is doing a serious purge. By the end of this purge, you want your office to be totally clutter-free, which could take anywhere from an hour to a day depending on the size and clutter condition of your office.

Step 2: Think Zones

There are a couple of key areas you want to set up in your office to keep yourself clean and organized:

  • Computer Workspace – This is where most people are in high productivity mode – your typical desktop space. Get cords organized and think about treating yourself to a more comfortable setup, such as an ergonomic keyboard.
  • Non-Computer Workspace – This is the space for anything but computer work – signing documents, working on an iPad, reading papers. It could be at the same desk, or you could designate a separate area for this. Separating computer and non-computer work areas can help keep things clean and help you mentally organize the different kinds of work you need to do each day – nothing is less productive than eyeballing your computer screen while simultaneously trying to focus on a printed report.
  • Catch-All Space – This is a great way to catch and sort incoming junk before it becomes scattered throughout the office. Some of the things this can filter, are important documents, trash, and things you take home (i.e. jackets and umbrellas). To that end, create your catch-all zone near a door or a highly trafficked place. Stock the area with shelves, hooks, or boxes for important items that you need regular access too, trays or files for documents, and a trash can.

Step 3: Find a Place for Physical Objects

Try not to let your desktop get too cluttered with the objects we all tend to accumulate at work, from cute knickknacks to basic things like wallets or headphones. In order to stop these items from slowly but surely encroaching on your workspace, make sure that each object has an accessible place in a drawer or a desktop organizer.

Step 4: Keep Purging

It’s a simple trick: buy a bigger trashcan or recycling bin. Overflowing recycling bins mean that you are more likely to keep that stack of papers you don’t know what to do with on your desk for another week, so give yourself a nudge to just get rid of them with a roomier – and more noticeable – trash or recycling bin.

One of the keys to making your organized, productive office last is tailoring it to your productivity style. Decide what kind of ideal office space for lease in Overland Park, KS you want and what kind of systems you are most likely to stick with, then implement them ASAP!

If your business wants to rent office space in overland Park, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to find out more about our office spaces for rent in Overland Park, KS.

 

Kansas City Office Space for Rent: Setting Up Your First Office Space

Finding and moving into your business’s first Kansas City office space for rent is a milestone worth celebrating. As a business owner, you are probably simultaneously thrilled with your growth and a bit intimidated by the unfamiliar process ahead. Here are a few tips to guide you through finding and setting up that first office space, as suggested in the article “6 Things to Consider Before Opening Your First Office”:

#1 Budgeting for your commercial property in Overland Park, KS

The first step to opening an office space is determining your budget, as this will be one of the most costly aspects of starting a business. Create a spreadsheet and include all of the different costs associated with opening an office space, from security deposit to the kinds of fees you will have to pay. Look for places where you can cut back on costs, for example, renting furniture.

#3 Size and location

When you start your search for an office space, two of the most important things to consider are size and location. Calculate exactly how much square footage you will need by envisioning how much space you want per employee, plus what kind of shared spaces you want (i.e. meeting rooms and break rooms).

Location can also make or break a new business. Consider the demographics of the area, the other businesses a location is near, the distance from your current clients, as well as little things like signage possibilities.

For a new business trying to find an office space for the first time, working with a commercial real estate broker can be really helpful. Brokers will know the area and the market, so if you can give them your cost, size, and location parameters, they can help you focus on spaces that meet all of those requirements.

#2 Office equipment for an office space for lease in Overland Park, KS

Buying office equipment can be one of the biggest items in your budget, so make sure you plan to get only what you need, and consider whether renting or buying would be better for your business.

Here are a few of the essentials to include on your list:

  • Computers. Businesses today need technology to thrive, so make sure you have the right computers and systems for your business. Look into systems for backing up data, for example online ones like Google Drive or Dropbox, which might be cheaper and easier than having on-site backup servers.
  • Internet. Computers these days are not much good without networks connecting them. Definitely make sure you have basic internet service, and decide whether you need to set up a network for within your business.
  • Multifunction Coper/Printer. Find one machine to do it all: copying, printing, faxing, scanning, etc.
  • Supplies. General office supplies like paper, pens, etc. might not seem like big budget item, but these things can add up. Plan for exactly what you need to function efficiently.

Beyond these staples, you should also look into mailing equipment or postage software to streamline your mailing process, as well as a shredder to keep any sensitive information from leaking out of your business.

If your business is interested in commercial office space for rent in Overland Park, KS, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to find out more about our office spaces for rent in Overland Park, KS.

Commercial Office Space for Rent in Overland Park, KS: A Guide to Brokers and Leases

Knowing something about what to expect from brokers and leases can help your business get a better deal on a commercial office space for rent in Overland Park, KS.

Using a Broker to Find Commercial Property for Lease in Overland Park, KS

A lot of new businesses wonder whether it would be beneficial to work with the broker to find an office space. If you’ve rented residential property before, don’t make the mistake of thinking this is the same as commercial property. The commercial real estate market can be much more difficult to navigate. There are so many more factors to consider when dealing with commercial real estate, such as zoning restrictions. An experienced broker will be able to guide you through these nuances.

But brokers can be a little tricky because typically their commission is paid by landlord, so it’s important to know that the landlord’s interests might be their priority. Here are a few things to be aware of if you do choose to work with a broker:

  • Commission – not only does the landlord pay the broker’s commission, but the commission is actually based on a percentage of what you pay for the lease, so brokers will try to show you the most expensive spaces.
  • Negotiations – it is not part of a broker’s job to help you negotiate the best deal for a lease, so they will most likely not point out any problematic parts of the lease or areas where you could ask for better provisions.
  • Attention – again, brokers are generally motivated by how much the lease will cost, so if you’re looking for a smaller lease, you might get less attention from a broker.

That said, if you’re aware of the downsides of working with the broker going into the process, you can be on the lookout for these pitfalls, but still enjoy the benefits of working with someone who knows the commercial real estate market. You might also want to consider working with a real estate attorney so that you have someone on your team who actually does represent your interests.

Finding the Right Broker 

If you can, try finding a tenant broker, which is a type of broker who focuses on working with potential lessees. To find a good broker, you can ask your real estate attorney to recommend someone, or you can ask for referrals from other business owners who’ve successfully worked with brokers. If your business is located a in smaller town where you don’t have the option of working with the broker, then you can use public tax records to find contact information for commercial property owners and contact them yourself.

Be aware of brokers who might want you to sign a representation agreement, which means that they had exclusive rights to show the property to you. This can be a good thing if you’re a smaller business, as it means the broker has more incentive to find you a good space. However, larger businesses renting spaces that will have a lot of commission might not want to limit themselves with the representation agreement.

Types of Office Space Leases in Overland Park

There are few types of leases you might run across:

  • Percentage Leases – these are most common for retail spaces, and involved paying a base rental rates plus a percentage of your sales.
  • Net leases – for these, you pay a certain price per square foot, plus some or all of the costs of running the property. For A double net lease, you pay taxes and insurance, and for a triple net lease you pay taxes, insurance, and maintenance.
  • Gross leases – for this lease, all costs are included in the price per square-foot.

What is Included in a Lease for Commercial Space for Rent in Kansas City? 

Not all leases look the same, but there are a few common elements that you will want to discuss with your landlord.

  • Lease length – while landlords typically prefer longer leases, tenants want shorter leases with options to renew so that they’re not on the hook for a space that they cannot afford or have outgrown. If you feel like your business is stable enough for a longer lease, this can give you more negotiating leverage with the landlord.
  • Subleasing or assignment clauses – this is a good option if you have to leave your space before the lease is over and want to avoid paying a penalty. Subleasing clauses are more common, and they allow you to rent the space to a new tenant even though the lease is still in your name. Assignment means that you can transfer the lease over to a new owner, but this is less common in commercial leases.
  • Build outs – if you want to make any changes or improvements to the space, you need to make sure that this is included in your lease and clarify who is paying for these alterations.

These are just a few of the common elements of commercial leases. Before you start the process of working with a broker and finding a lease, prepare yourself by doing a little research on renting commercial real estate so that you know what to expect.

If your business is interested in office space for rent in Overland Park, give us a call at 913-685-4100 for more information about our available spaces.

Commercial Real Estate Kansas City: 5 Questions to Ask Before Leasing

Before you sign the dotted line on the lease for a commercial office space for rent in Overland Park, KS, make sure you ask some nit-picky questions so that you don’t run into any unpleasant surprises later on in your lease. Here are a few things to ask about, as suggested in the article “9 Things to Remember When Taking Out a Commercial Lease.”

#1 Does the rent make sense?

You always want to double check the listed rental rate for a potential office space for lease in Kansas City. Make sure you know whether it covers common areas, such as restrooms, corridors, or elevators. Try to bring an objective party in to measure the space, to check to see whether the thickness of the walls was included, for example. Also find out about any annual increases in rents.

#2 Who pays for what costs?

Make sure your lease clearly outlines who covers various property expenses, including repairs, maintenance, heating and cooling. If you share the responsibility for any costs with your landlord, make sure you understand exactly how that is divided up.

#3 Can you alter the office space for rent in Kansas City?

If you want to make changes or improvements to space, make sure that something that you cover in lease negotiations. You want to know who is responsible for paying for the improvements, and whether you have to return space to its original condition before you move out.

#4 How long is the lease?

Landlords typically prefer a long-term leases, so that they don’t have to worry about finding a new tenant every few years, but newer businesses usually try for a short-term lease with options to renew once the lease term is over. The downside of this option is that you might experience more rent increases each time you renew, But a long-term lease can be very risky if your business isn’t stable. It is also worth noting that if you do opt for a longer lease, you might have some more negotiating power with the landlord.

#5 What are your rights as a tenant?

Can you assign the lease? Can you sublease? How much notice do you have to give for terminating the lease, and what are the penalties? Make sure you know exactly will happen if your business needs to leave the space and try to negotiate to protect yourself as much as possible.

Before you enter into a lease, the most important thing is to make sure your business knows exactly what you are getting into. Don’t cut corners with researching and negotiating – it pays in the long run to get the best possible deal!

If you are looking for commercial real estate in Kansas City, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to find out more information or set up a tour of an office space for lease in Olathe, KS.

Office Spaces for Rent Overland Park, KS: How to Avoid a Bad Deal

There are many pitfalls awaiting a careless commercial real estate renter. The first step in avoiding these pitfalls is starting the process of looking for office spaces for rent in Overland Park, KS, well before you need to move. Going to the process knowing some basic parameters–your ideal location, your budget, how much square footage you need, what office features you need, and how much parking.

Working with a Broker to find Office Space for Rent, Kansas City

You can then start to work with a commercial real estate broker who is an expert in the area where you’re looking who can try to match your needs with an available space. Remember though that a broker’s fees are paid by the landlord, so they may not be your best ally in negotiations. With that in mind, you need to go to negotiations prepared to get the best deal for yourself, and it is also worth seeking the advice of the commercial real estate lawyer.

Negotiating for Commercial Property for Lease in Overland Park, KS

Here are a few negotiation points to prepare for to avoid the costly pitfalls of signing an unfavorable lease, as suggested in the article “Criteria to Consider When Renting Commercial Space.”

  • Rent – find out how the square footage in a listing is calculated so that you know exactly what you’re paying for and can compare this to other spaces. Also confirm how rent increases are calculated and how frequent they are.
  • Lease length – decide whether a short or long-term lease is better for your business. A short-term lease can mean more flexibility if your business needs to move, but a long-term lease will give you some leverage to ask the landlord for other favorable terms or concessions.
  • Extra fees – make sure you know what other costs are included besides the base rental rates. This can include insurance, taxes, utilities, or cam fees.
  • Security deposit – commercial buildings might also ask for security deposit, just like residential leases. Make sure you know exactly what you owe before move-in, and check that it is within your budget.
  • Improvement costs – you might get the landlord to pay for the improvement costs by prorating your rent. Again, the longer your lease, The more likely a landlord might be to pay for improvements, especially since they might be able to get a good deal from lenders if they have a steady source of income from a long-term tenant. In addition to payments, make sure you know who approves and supervises build outs.
  • Repairs and maintenance – depending on your type of lease, you might have to pay for some or all of the maintenance and repair costs, so make sure you know exactly how this is divided up.

Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want in commercial lease negotiations. Do some research and know the areas where you can push for more favorable terms.

If your business is interested in commercial office space for rent in Overland Park, KS, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to find out more about our available office space for lease in Overland Park, KS.