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Ask A Broker
05/21/2020

Why should I hire a commercial broker to find my office/industrial/retail space as opposed to the residential agent that found my new house? They’re all realtors, aren’t they?

On the surface it may seem that residential and commercial real estate are similar and can be handled by any licensed Realtor, but in fact, they are vastly different. To assume that your residential broker could also provide you with commercial real estate opportunities would be similar to asking an orthopedic doctor to do heart surgery…not wise. Specialization and knowledge are critical.

Consider, “What are your future business needs and how can real estate serve those goals? versus “What is your family looking for in a home and neighborhood community?”

 · Commercial agents have current market knowledge and have built relationships with local commercial property landlords and municipalities that can span a decade or longer; just as residential agents know their local sales history and current inventory of houses. These are two different markets and there is little crossover.

· Your commercial realtor will know that commercial property listings are not maintained in just one place and while your local residential MLS system may provide the homes for sale in your area, it will not have thorough coverage of the commercial real estate available. Contacting your commercial real estate broker will give you a glimpse of both on and off-market opportunities for your business using commercial search databases.

· A commercial sales contract differs from a residential property lease or purchase agreement. A commercial realtor will be well versed and understand the critical differences of the buyer, seller, landlord or tenant’s investment. Issues such as CAM (Common Area Maintenance) and  Lease type (NNN, modified gross or full service) can be explained by your commercial broker. Other factors, including but not limited to, zoning use, parking information, property visibility, floor plan, power capability, and data access for specific use. Property or suite improvements (referred to as Tenant Improvements – TI’s) may be needed and should be included in the lease. 

Commercial real estate needs are best handled by commercial brokers with the specialty knowledge and local market connections. While residential brokers can help you find the right neighborhood and pick out a home with the perfect backyard, don’t forget that your future business should be in the hands of a commercial broker. – Charlie Koenn, Associate Broker

Update
05/21/2020

Residential Vacant Lots for Sale: 0 Dexter-Chelsea & Steinbach, Dexter

Estate size parcels between Dexter and Chelsea in rural Lima Township ranging from 5 to 30 acres. Just minutes to Dexter and Ann Arbor. Beautiful country setting teeming with wildlife- turkey, deer, waterfowl, cranes, coyotes, small game. Gently rolling and open vacant land. Dexter schools.
Driveway permits, perks and land divisions approved.

For Sale:

LOT 4: 5.31 Acres, natural gas available, paved road
$100,000

LOT 7: 15.06 Acres, no natural gas
$160,000

LOT 8: 15.06 Acres, no natural gas, potential pond site
$180,000

LOTS 7 + 8 COMBINED: 30.12 Acres, no natural gas, potential pond site
$300,000

Members of ownership entity are licensed Realtors® in the State of Michigan.

For more information, contact Charlie Koenn at (734) 926-0230 or ckoenn@swishercommercial.com

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Update
05/21/2020

Industrial Warehouse Space for Lease: 251 Jackson Plaza, Ann Arbor

Affordable office space on Ann Arbor’s West side in multi-tenant building. Located just off Jackson Road Blvd and Wagner on West side of Ann Arbor near shopping and restaurants. Easy access to I-94 and M-14/US-23.

For Lease:

Suite B: 3,200 sf, $9.00 psf (plus utilities)

Suite K: 3,680 sf, $9.00 psf (plus utilities)

Updated building has 9 suites total with mix of shop and office. Suite K  and Suite B are contiguous and can be rented together for total of 6,880 sf. Both suites have AC, updated LED lighting, updated lavs, overhead doors. Located in Jackson Road corridor on west side of Ann Arbor with easy access to I-94 and M-14, US 23. Located near many shops, restaurants and service stores and minutes to downtown Ann Arbor.

For more information, contact Charlie Koenn at (734) 926-0230 or ckoenn@swishercommercial.com

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Swisher news
05/18/2020

Building relationships…property showings with care!

Swisher Commercial is happy to announce that in-person property showings are back on the calendar! In support of a healthy community, we are introducing new showing procedures to protect our clients and brokers while conducting business and exploring commercial real estate opportunities together.

  • Showings are limited to four attendees total, including showing brokers.
  • All attendees will be required to wear a face mask.
  • Subject properties will be prepared for contactless showing, doors will be open and lights on. Gloves will be offered to clients as a courtesy.
  • No handshakes or contact is allowed.
  • Marketing materials will be provided virtually prior to the showing, or upon request post-showing.

Swisher Commercial’s brokers will keep our clients informed and prepared to tour in order to assure that our clients’ safety is a priority. Property showings with care! For more information, reach out to our office at (734)663-0501 or info@swishercommercial.com.

Updated Listing
05/14/2020

Restaurant Assets for Sale: 312 N. Main Street, Chelsea

Newly remodeled turnkey, quick serve restaurant for sale.

Furniture, fixtures & equipment valued at $150,000. Inventory valued at $25,000. Point of Sale training will be provided.

In addition to value of the equipment, owner invested over $70,000 in infrastructure upgrades including: new ADA bathroom, new mop closet, hand sinks, upgraded gas line for grill/range, expanded electrical, hood roof penetration, carpentry and new booths.

Two (2) months free rent will be provided with a full price offer.

Please contact agent for equipment list, lease details, and additional information.

UPDATED SALE PRICE: $65,000

Contact Jeff Evans, Associate Broker, at (734)926-0222 or jeffevans@swishercommercial.com.

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Ask A Broker
05/08/2020

I have a therapy business that needs multiple patient rooms. Are there properties designed for this use?

Washtenaw County has seen a significant growth in the number and variety of physical, occupational, mental health, and counseling practitioners. One factor in choosing the most appropriate office suite for your therapy business is determining whether an office suite floor plan is suitable. Counseling/therapy practices generally locate in office buildings, however, their needs tend to be different than typical office space tenants. In our experience, the general need for a counseling/therapy practice includes a waiting area, a business office/receptionist office, plus multiple rooms set up for the counseling/therapy of patients.

Therapy office suite features that benefit counseling/therapy practices might include:

1. Sound Treatment – Adequate insulation in and above the walls of an office suite allows for reduced sound transfer between offices. It’s preferable that office walls extend above the ceiling of the building. Solid core doors with weather stripping are more insulating than hollow core doors. Many tenants add white noise devices and other similar features in order to create the quietest possible environment for the privacy of their patients’ conversations.

2. Privacy – Establish a waiting area that can provide privacy for your patients upon entrance and a check in/check out system that is sensitive to their privacy needs. Some professionals also prefer routes to and from their offices that does not expose them to waiting patients. The office layout and traffic flow of your professionals and clients can impact the office procedures greatly. Being thoughtful to the in-office flow can bring ease and efficiency to a business maintaining strict privacy policies.

3. Room sizes – Whereas a standard office tenant might design private offices 100 SF – 140 SF for single workers, counseling/therapy offices most often need to be larger to allow for the professional, plus one or more patients so they can comfortably occupy the office. These often range in size from 140 SF – 220 SF. When determining office size, bear in mind the furniture or equipment you expect each office must accommodate.

In short, finding an office that addresses your therapy business needs is largely contingent on the features required. Be sure to share your needs with your commercial real estate agent so that they can provide you the appropriate opportunities for your future space! – Bart Wise, Associate Broker

New listing
05/07/2020

Warehouse with Office for Sublease: 727 W. Ellsworth, Ann Arbor

Warehouse suite for sublease near Ann Arbor Airport on Ann Arbor‘s south side with easy access to I-94 in State Street corridor. Suite has 3,422 sf office (with 1,771 on main level and 1,771 on 2nd floor) and 8,065 sf of high bay warehouse space. Loading dock and drive in bay with 14’ OH door. ADT Pulse security system installed as well as internal VCR system available.

For Sublease: 11,487 sf, $6,600 monthly (plus utilities)

For more information, contact Charlie Koenn at (734) 926-0230 or at ckoenn@swishercommercial.com

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