Commercial Property Tips: 13 Spooktacular Ideas for Non-Creepy Spaces

13 Commercial Property Tips for Non-Creepy Spaces

 

APPRO and CERRON commercial property tips for non-spooky buildings “Spooky Moon” Source: rcbodden via Flickr

Our team would like to share some fun commercial property solution ideas to keep your space from being creepy (BEWARE: this blog post contains many links to helpful resources – you may need to hover your cursor over to see the link and a description will “magically” appear – only a little spooky, right!?):

  1. Clear out the spiders and cobwebs to make your space enchanting. We team up with the best subcontractors in the industry, including commercial cleaners & landscapers.
  2. If your parking lot is looking more like a graveyard, than a welcome space for your employees and visitors, it might be time to consider an exterior update. We hire the best Project Managers in the Midwest who oversee our remodel, expansion and new building projects.
  3. If your employees are looking more and more like zombies because their workspace needs changing, you may want to consider a possible remodel. Our design team can plan out ideal space configurations for your workplace.
  4. If you encounter monsters on your drive into work, you may want to consider moving your business to a different location. CERRON Commercial Properties – our website includes ALL Minnesota commercial properties*!
  5. Does the thought of finding a new space feel a little scary? A new lease space is waiting for you.
  6. Afraid of the Dark? Shed some light on your office, retail or industrial spaces by implementing new lighting and/or design options. Our award-winning Architect has the perfect solution.
  7. Are ghosts and tumbleweeds the only things passing by your retail space for lease or sale? The CERRON team can connect you with some live prospects.
  8. Wondering if it is time to sell your space, but the cat’s got your tongue. Get a quick, easy, and free market analysis.
  9. Do you find the prospect of financing a new project downright hair-raising? Clear, solid financing options are available.
  10. Face the skeletons in the closet and tackle building maintenance. Use our annual maintenance checklist.
  11. Looking for the perfect potion for configuring space or calculating financing? Easy estimating tools (space & mortgage calculators) are bubbling up in our cauldron.
  12. Are your employees howling for more space? APPRO can fast track a new building for your favorite werewolves.
  13. Finding vampires everywhere you go? Might be time to consider working with our friendly, (non-blood-thirsty) APPRO and CERRON team.

 

Wishing you and your team a very Happy Halloween!

“Orange” you going to consider sharing this? We sure would love it if you did!

Lakeville Manufacturers Appreciation Reception 2013

This Year’s Lakeville Manufacturers Appreciation Reception Was the Best!

Mayor Little & Adam K at Manufacturers Reception 2013 - photo by APPRO Development Mayor Matt Little and Adam Kienberger, Economic Development Specialist announce awards from the prize drawing

The APPRO and CERRON team had the opportunity to attend the annual Lakeville Manufacturers Appreciation Reception this year, and found it to be the best in many years (if not ever)! We sincerely appreciated the opportunity to connect with many of our local neighbors; some we have known for years, and some we met for the first time. Every time we attend the event, we learn something new and that is what makes it so much fun! The businesses in Lakeville are doing some amazing things.

This event is hosted by the City of Lakeville, and was sponsored by MN Energy Resources, Xcel Energy, Frontier and Dakota Electric. This invitation only event was held at the Holiday Inn in Lakeville, MN, just off of I-35 and Kenrick Avenue, on Tuesday, October 22, 2013. In attendance were City of Lakeville staff, City Council Members, Economic Development Commission members, and a diverse representation of the manfacturers & businesses in the Lakeville community. The event is held to celebrate Manufacturers Appreciation Week (October 20-26, 2013). According to the City of Lakeville’s website, “Lakeville has over 3,100 manufacturing jobs amongst 150 businesses. Thank you to all of our manufacturers for being a part of Lakeville’s business community!”

Just shy of 40 companies attended this event and engaged in some great networking and recognition of the manufacturers in our community. If you were considering attending and just didn’t have the opportunity, we urge you to try to make it out to next year’s event. Great reason, great food, great people – you can’t go wrong!

We are grateful to continue our 26th year as a part of this great Lakeville community! If you are Manufacturer in Minnesota and would like to discuss a possible project, give our team a call. We are happy to answer any questions you may have!

 

Trading Up: The Basics of a 1031 Tax Exchange

Trading Up: The Basics of a 1031 Tax Exchange

A Commercial Real Estate Topic Review of the purpose, rules & options in a 1031 Tax Deferred Exchange

1031 Exchange How to by CERRON Commercial PropertiesI’ll start by saying you should consult with your tax and financial advisors for information on whether a 1031 Exchange is right for you and your financial goals. I can help you find the new property and also help you sell the old property.

A 1031 Exchange can be a great tax benefit for someone that wants to stay invested in commercial real estate and would also like to trade up and improve their commercial investment. Maybe that office warehouse with the low ceilings and dated office finish has become increasingly expensive to keep up and to lease out. Maybe a newer, high clearance warehouse with a beautiful office space and state of the art cabling and communication capabilities is just what your renters are looking for. You’ve just hit on the perfect 1031 exchange scenario. Sell that old building and buy one that fits your goals without having to give Uncle Sam any of your hard earned commercial investment profit.

There are a few things you need to know about 1031 exchanges before you take my advice and call Cerron for your property solutions. So what is a 1031 Tax Exchange? In this article I’m talking about a 1031 (also called “like-kind exchange”) being used to swap one commercial property investment asset for another and not losing 15 to 20 percent to the government in tax liability. In other words, you can change the form of your investment (trade up) without cashing out and being liable for capital gains tax, the tax is deferred.

Sorry, you can’t use a 1031 exchange for personal use. If your spouse would like a bigger, nicer, more expensive house, that’s a personal problem and a 1031 isn’t going to work to solve it. It’s for commercial investment property. There are other rules that apply also. You need to identify your property that you’re selling for a 1031 exchange before you close on it. Then you must submit the replacement property to a qualified intermediary in writing within 45 days. The qualified intermediary will hold the money from the property you sold until you purchase the new property and will facilitate the transaction. You must also close on the new like-kind property within 6 months of the sale of the original property. The IRS gives like-kind property a surprisingly liberal meaning so it may be possible to sell a farm and buy a shopping center. To get the full benefit the new property should be of equal or greater value.

There’s a quick lesson in 1031 Exchanges. Any one of us at CERRON Properties would be glad to help you get more information and help you find the perfect property for your 1031 Exchange.

Thanks,

Dan Huntington

MN Architecture and Design Update

APPRO Development’s MN Architecture and Design Update

October 22,2013

The MN Architecture and Design Team at APPRO Development has been busy this autumn as we prepare for cooler months ahead. We have an award winning architect on staff; we have been busy tracking trends; and, we want to share a design secret with you.

 

Award Winning Architect on Staff at APPRO Development, Inc.

 

MN Architect Casie RadfordAPPRO Development is thrilled to have Casie Radford, AIA, LEED AP, as our staff architect. Recently, her accomplishments were recognized at the 2013 Fort Collins Urban Design Awards Ceremony, Fort Collins, CO. Before APPRO Development recruited Casie, she worked with SLATERPAULL Architects, Inc. in Colorado.

While in Colorado, Casie worked on a historic restoration project which ultimately resulted in the acknowledgement of this project at the Fort Collins Urban Design Awards on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at the Midtown Arts Center in Fort Collins, CO. The award was under the “Best Architecture” category for a historic preservation project of the Avery Block Storefront in Fort Collins, CO. Casie flew back to Colorado to be a part of the awards ceremony. We are overjoyed for her as she receives this honor. We are equally thrilled for our team here in Minnesota as Casie Radford brings this award winning expertise in architecture to our Minnesota design build projects.

More information on this project and awards ceremony can be found in the following publications:

Award winning architect Casie Radford presents CO project-3 Exterior Project Photos, Source: Casie Radford, AIA, LEED AP, 2013

Award winning architect Casie Radford presents CO project Award winning architect Casie Radford presents CO project-1 Award winning architect Casie Radford presents CO project-2

 

Trends in Architecture & Design

APPRO Development commercial architect and design team Image Source: Wikipedia, 2013

We have found a few fun architecture and design articles to share with our readers. The first is an article about how staircases are being used as seating in a variety of applications: Staircases that double as seating (via dezeen.com). The next trend we found takes a look at the benefits of incorporating Smart Technology into building design: Smart Technology can have quick payback (via bdcnetwork.com). On the local front, Dakota County is investing in Solar Energy. And, the final article we found, simply had to be shared as part of the season upon us: Just for fun: Creepy Pumpkin Design (via Inhabitat.com).

We hope you enjoy!!

 

Shhh…We want to share an architectural design secret

MN Architecture and design ideas on Napkin Sketch-APPRO Development can helpFew may know or be aware of the time it takes to build a new commercial construction project, plan a building expansion, or implement an interior remodel. A new building can take on average approximately 12-24 months from start to finish. Addition & Remodel projects, less overall time is required, but depends on the scope of the project with site selection and city processes, a few of the initial variables. Regardless of the type of project, design work must be factored into the overall schedule.

Our design team takes clients from ideas sketched on a napkin to more formal design sketches to complete architectural drawings ready for the city submittal process. If you are considering a commercial construction project, winter is the ideal time to work on designs. You may always “pull the trigger” at any time, but can’t really do so until you have a solid design in place. Now is the time to work on finalizing design ideas.

As we head into the cooler winter months, talk to our award winning design team today to share your ideas and to discuss the ideal timeline for your next architectural design or complete design-build project. Fill out this quick form to let us know a little about your company and current needs. We will get back to you quickly to chat with you about your ideas.

We thought you might want to know about this design secret – best wishes!

South Metro Building Expansion Nears Completion: Lakeville, MN

QA1 Project Expansion Nears Completion of South Metro Building Expansion

South Metro Building Expansion, by APPRO Development, is just a couple weeks away from completion. This commercial project is an addition onto an existing building for QA1. The site of this project is located in the Airlake Industrial Park located in Lakeville, in the heart of Dakota County, Minnesota.

As you can see, much progress has been made:

QA1-Project Nears Completion by APPRO Development

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QA1-Project Nears Completion by APPRO Development-2

You may track the continued progress of this project by linking directly to the progress page for QA1. Over the next few weeks, we will be wrapping up landscaping, final lift of asphalt and completion of gutter/downspout.

 

Also, if you missed it, you may view the initial Groundbreaking festivities at the onset of this project by reading our previous blog post for the QA1 kick-off. You may also visit QA1’s website for additional information about their company.

 

If you are thinking about expanding or remodeling your current office, warehouse, industrial or retail facility, feel free to Contact Us today. We would love to work with you and your company on a south metro building expansion project, too!

Commercial Real Estate – The Week in Review

Commercial Real Estate – The Week in Review

October 5-11, 2013

CERRON Commercial Properties reviews Office Space Changes Image Source: Wikimedia Commons (State_Office_Building)

It has been a busy week in commercial real estate as CERRON takes a look at the week in review…

Office Spaces & Demands are Changing, according to an article by Costar this week. With a review of the many class A office buildings across the nation, “the increasing age and relative inefficiency of these properties present big challenges and risks for owners and investors as businesses increasingly re-evaluate and re-engineer their office requirements to meet leaner 21st-century workplace needs,” according to Drummer (October 8, 2013) in his Costar Article. With an increase in the amount of technology used to run businesses, a reduction is being seen for the amount of space needed in this sector. Tech firms and call centers are increasing in demand and present an opportunity for owners to market to these potential users.

Developers turn to office space to meet the needs of lodging, according to Melvin Backman at Wall Street Journal, September 24, 2013. As the need for lodging increases, developers are getting creative and turning to office space as a resource to meet this growing need. Examples of this type of space conversion are being seen across the nation. “By converting buildings to hotels, owners hope the buildings will produce higher incomes and better returns on their investments.”

Third quarter data show continuing improvement in the CRE lending market, with banks increasing their exposure in secondary and tertiary markets, according to Eric Hawthorn for Llenrock Blog, October 11, 2013, as originally reported via REIT.com.

Want to stay up to date on Commercial Real Estate and Commercial Building information? Sign up for our monthly newsletter today!

Commercial Property Improvements Equal Tax Benefits in 2013

Are You Missing an Opportunity to Capture 2013 Tax Benefits?

commercial property improvements by design builder APPRO Development 09-26-2013If commercial property improvements are on your horizon, there is still time to improve your commercial property before the end of the year. Did you know there are tax benefits available if you own and lease out commercial real estate? But, you will need to act fast – you have until December 31, 2013 to take advantage of these tax benefits.

According to Stephen Fishman in a recent blog article in Inman News, “Improve Commercial Property Now to Capture 2013 Tax Benefits”, “Qualified leasehold property improvements made during 2013 can qualify for the following tax benefits:

 

  • 15-year depreciation period (instead of 39 years).
  • Section 179 deduction up to $250,000.
  • 50 percent bonus depreciation.

Any one of these benefits would be great, but all three together enable commercial landlords (and lessees) to deduct a huge percentage of the cost of making improvements in a single year, rather than having to depreciate the entire cost over 39 years.”

APPRO Development, Inc., your midwest design-build, general contractor, has been helping business owners like you to find unique property solutions for more than 25 years. We have a few openings left in our fall schedule – Contact Us today to schedule your commercial property improvement.

Wood Framing in Commercial Construction

Curious about wood framing in commercial construction?

Wood Lumber Framing in Commercial Construction article by APPRO Photo Source: Wikepedia, 2013.

Occasionally, changes in wood supply cause a downgrade in the structural properties of wood. You can see an example of this type of activity in the article at this link for the information put forth by Carolinalive.com at: http://www.carolinalive.com/news/story.aspx?id=674670.

The angle this particular news story takes is to focus on the economic impact that may occur to the industry in the area or state. The steel framing industry association presents this info in a different light entirely by promoting the properties that steel framing members include.

I believe it will cause a trickle-down effect to consumers who will have to, in some instances, be required to use larger wood framing members than in the past to get the same job done. This affects us all when it comes to residential or commercial building when wood is the chosen material.

Interestingly enough the wood groups aren’t necessarily arguing the downgrade itself, only how quickly it is being proposed to be put into effect.

Both steel and wood association groups tout the sustainable properties of their products. It will remain to be seen how each product continues to be affected and the impact on residential or commercial construction.

If you’re not sure which material is right for you on your next project, contact our team at APPRO. We have been helping our clients make these types of decisions for more than 25 years, and we would be happy to help you, too!

 

MN BACK TO SCHOOL MARKET UPDATE

MN BACK TO SCHOOL MARKET UPDATE

Back to School - RE Market Report 2013The kids are off to school. It’s time to close up the cabin and focus on getting something done before year end. Fall is always a busy time in the Minnesota commercial real estate market, as we are seeing here at CERRON Commercial Properties.

Third quarter we had a noticeable change in office condominium sales. Businesses shifted to longer term leases and larger spaces. We actually had buyer wars—something we haven’t seen much of since 2007. Land sales even saw an uptick. The national retailers are back. Dealmakers were abuzz at the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) convention this spring. This is all good news to a heavily beat up industry over the past six years.

We have been waiting for the inventory of distressed product to be absorbed and while there are a few deals left out there, they are dwindling. The market is heading in the other direction so if you are considering a move, now is the time.

We can help you with a market analysis. An initial one is no charge. In fact we only get paid if we produce a buyer or a tenant. Most owners pay our fee, so many times there is no charge for buyer/tenant representation services.

We now have all commercial properties for sale and lease on our website, and may be searched for free. Check it out at www.cerron.com or call me direct at 612-708-5281 email rozp@cerron.com.

 

Why It Pays to Be Likeable in MN

Why It Pays to Be Likeable in MN

APPRO and CERRON share Why it Pays to Be LikeableAfter having adopted more social media into the marketing of our South Metro, MN, design build and commercial real estate businesses at both APPRO and CERRON, we understand more, the importance of “Why it Pays to be Likeable.” So, when we came across this article written by Dave Kerpen on the NFIB website, we knew we needed to share it with our blog readers. “In a world of ‘Likes,’ it pays for a business to be likeable – friendly, approachable, understood – not just in the traditional sense but also in social media.”

Dave Kerpen, the CEO of Likeable Local, a social media software startup for small businesses, conducted a recent webinar for the NFIB in which he “showed how businesses are achieving amazing results with creative social business strategies, exploring what today’s consumers expect from organizations and ways you can exceed customer expectations.”

Dave explains the 7 key ways to be more likeable, which include:

1. Listen.

2. Respond.

3. Tell, don’t sell.

4. Be authentic.

5. Advertise – better.

6. Provide value.

7. Be grateful.

You may read the full article and more details on each of these 7 ways for you and your company to learn Kerpen’s philosophy on why it pays to be likeable by following this LINK.

APPRO and CERRON have been working for more than 25 years to be not just “likeable,” but truly authentic in our approach to create unique property solutions for each of clients to whom we are sincerely grateful for the opportunity to serve. Learn what makes us unique and the services we offer, by visiting our Services page. Please feel free to contact us any time – until then, we will be busy Creating Property Solutions For You…With You!