Leasing Commercial Space For Your Restaurant Business, Don’t Lose Money…
San Antonio is booming right now and there is strong demand for restaurant space across the city. While this means competition can be fierce for prime properties, it is still possible to secure a decently priced location with the help of a great tenant representative.
No matter where you choose to set up shop, you need to avoid these common mistakes.
Understanding CAM
So many people enter into commercial leases without understanding CAM, which stands for Common Area Maintenance and refers to extra fees charged to you by the landlord for maintenance on common areas.
Often, landlords try to sneak extra charges in via CAM fees. You also need to be careful that an aggressive increase schedule is not built into the lease. If possible, you should negotiate a ‘CAM stop lease’ which limits or freezes fee increases.
Figuring out CAPEX Responsibilities
Before signing on the dotted line, you need to be 100% clear about your responsibilities when it comes to Capital Expenditures (CAPEX). Many people have been burnt in the past when they are hit with an unexpected bill for HVAC replacement in the building! This is exactly the kind of thing that can sink your business if you are not careful.
Negotiating
You would be surprised at how many people agree to a commercial lease without negotiating at all. As the renter, you are making a large, long-term financial commitment and you should always seek concessions from the landlord in return for this. Most commercial landlords are more than accommodating, but if you don’t ask, you won’t receive!
Zoning For Restaurants
When you think you have found the perfect location, the very first thing you should do is get zoning approval for your proposed business. Just because similar business are nearby does not mean the local authorities will permit you to set up as well. The last thing you want is to sign a lease only to find you can’t use the space for the intended purpose. Plus, you might want to consider joining the Texas Restaurant Association.
With the help of a commercial real estate agent, you can avoid these common problems and many more. Start your search today by teaming up with the #1 tenant rep in San Antonio, TX.
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