Naked at the Big Meeting

 

Never go to a meeting with the landlord, his broker, space planner, or his dishwasher without your broker. As sure as you are reading this, something will come up at that meeting that you will not completely understand.

 

Whatever you do, don’t agree to something at that meeting without understanding completely what the long-term ramifications are. Six months (if not before then) down the road, that decision is sure to come back to bite you.

 

Brokers are often everywhere before leases are signed. Where are they after the lease is signed? More importantly, where are they after you move in and they received their commission check?

 

You hired your broker not as a tour guide, but for his expertise in commercial real estate and the market. Remember, it’s your future rent that is funding his commission. Be sure you get your full money’s worth.