Air-assisted dual-flush toilets in the restrooms? Waterless urinals? Recyclable cork flooring? Green roofs? Geothermal systems? While these concepts may seem strange or even futuristic, they are just a few of the many elements of a sustainable building movement steadily rising nationwide. (Read more...)

Owning an income property can be a great way to diversify an investment portfolio that contains stocks, bonds, and other more liquid forms of investment. While real property ownsership is a lot less liquid than many forms of investment, and hold periods are typically longer than for stocks and bonds, average returns can be equal or better to other forms of investment. (Read more...)

There are many advantages of buying an existing business vs. starting a new business. First, there are often a great reduction in startup costs that can drain time, energy and planned expenditures. (Read more...)

Brownfields are abandoned, idled, or underused industrial or commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is
complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination.
(Read more...)

"Do you manage property?" is a question often asked of Swisher Commercial staff. Our initial response is -- yes, we have a long history of managing several types of high profile, non-residential buildings in the Washtenaw County area. As is often said, "books are written on this subject", but following are some important general considerations for the property owner in his or her quest.
(Read more...)

Public Act 501 was signed by the Governor signed into law a new type of redevelopment liquor license. This license is most beneficial to municipalities that need new businesses in downtown areas controlled by Development Districts or City Redevelopment Project Areas..
(Read more...)

The purpose of this short article is to define what a capitalization rate is, how it is calculated in the marketplace, and to demonstrate the importance of this measuring device to participants in the real estate market.
(Read more...)

Fixed investments require utilities simply to function, and energy prices are highly volatile. A building achieving better operating economies and/or a higher degree of security than competing buildings will enjoy significantly higher value.
(Read more...)

What I would like to convey with this "snapshot" is what Ann Arbor looked like in the early 1960's. I want to show where people shopped, ate, and worked. I want to show how much change there has been, and at the same time show how important the downtown is today as it was back in the early 60's. (Read more...)

The ABC's of leasing office space
by Bart Wise

Considering leasing new office space or moving from an existing office suite? If so, here are five points to consider when asking a broker to help you find a new office location: (Read more...)