Lakeville High School Career Jamboree (2013)

Lakeville High School Career Jamboree (2013) – Lakeville Community Event

Casie Radford and Kris Bockelman at the 2013 Lakeville High School Career Jamboree

The 2013 Lakeville High School Career Jamboree was a very exciting and well attended event! Three (3) team members from APPRO and CERRON were able to attend the event held on on Monday, November 4, 2013:

  • Casie Radford, APPRO’s architect
  • Kris Bockelman, CERRON’s Commercial Administration Assistant
  • Andrea Kaderlik, Marketing Coordinator for both APPRO and CERRON

Representing both APPRO and CERRON, these team members spoke to many of the 850 Lakeville High School (North and South) juniors who were invited to this event between 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. While meeting with the students, we had the opportunity to discuss careers in each of our respective fields of design and architecture, commercial real estate and administration, and sales and marketing.

The students asked many thoughtful questions and hopefully learned about opportunities in the commercial real estate, design, architecture and construction services fields. Many students were surprised to find out the amount of years required to obtain an architectural degree and subsequent license upon visiting with Casie. Students were also curious to find out what a typical day in commercial real estate administration or of a marketer may look like, should they choose to pursue a career in these areas of interest.

Our two sister companies, APPRO and CERRON, were joined by approximately 70 other area businesses including: agriculture, food and natural resources, arts, communication and information systems, business management and administration, engineering, manufacturing and technology, health sciences technology and human services. It was a full house indeed!

The entire team at APPRO Development and CERRON Commercial Properties, is thrilled to be a part of the Lakeville community and to volunteer our time for events like this. We were very encouraged and highly optimistic about the future of our community as a result of conversations with the students with whom we met this week!

Feel free to read more articles about our commitment to and involvement in our local community in the “Community” section of our Blog Page. You may also see the handout we shared with students: 2013 – career jamboree handout-full page. We are grateful to Lakeville (North and South) High School and the Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce for the opportunity to be a part of this fun day! Thank you!

 

 

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

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!

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!

 

 

Top Ten MN State Fair Foods

 

The MN State Fair Starts Thursday, August 22nd and there is a whole lot lined up!

fairfood review by APPROIt is Minnesota State Fair time and it is really all about the food, right? I mean the Miracle of Birth barn is pretty cool and the Blue Ribbon winning Holstein is interesting, as is the latest 4-H exhibit or the music blaring from the bandstand. But, when it comes down to it – we go for the food!

This year, 2013, just when you thought they couldn’t possibly figure out a way to get one more food on a stick or come up with something else new, our local Twin Cities’ restaurants & resident “foodies” have come up with some amazing new foods to test and savor.

 

So, here is my Top Ten Food List I plan to eat (or try for the first time) at the 2013 Great Minnesota Get Together:

10. Chocolate Chili Ice Cream (sweet, spicy, hot, cold, yum!)

9. Candied Bacon Cannoli (anything with bacon!)

8. Fried Pickles and Chocolate (because my kids dared me)

7. Grilled Glazed Donut (anything on the grill!)

6. Dough-sant (the cousin of the NY “Cro-nut” – a hybrid of doughnut and croissant)

5. Comet Corn (A futuristic caramel corn made with liquid nitrogen – because it’s cool!)

4. Bacon-wrapped grilled shrimp on a stick (because it’s on a stick!)

3. MinnePumpkin Pie (a hometown treat)

2. Persian Kabob Koobideh (to expand my horizons)

1. Cheese Curds (why mess with a tried and true classic!?)

 

To review the full list of new foods in 2013 at the MN State Fair, click on the following link to see all the new foods at the fair: 2013 MN State Fair Food List.

And, for details on visiting the MN State Fair, click HERE, to link to the dates, times, fees, and discount information to make your day great!

At APPRO and CERRON, we are proud to be a Minnesota company, providing property solution services across the Midwest. Don’t just take a chance on bumping into each other while we are testing the latest food on a stick; Do the “sure thing” and give us a call. Let us show you how we put all that energy to work for you and what makes our team different. Now, go enjoy the MN State Fair!

LAND FOR SALE IN SOUTH METRO MN

Lots for Sale at Airlake Creekside Business Park by CERRON Land for sale in south metro, MN seems to be on the rise as APPRO Development, Inc. and CERRON Commercial Properties have seen a recent increase in land sales in the past year. This is not only a positive sign for the economy but for developers, land owners, and businesses alike. APPRO and CERRON have the latest information on commercial real estate MN.

In the past year, our group sold a 14.31 acre parcel on the south side of County Road 70 (215th Street West) and Highview Avenue. We also sold a lot in the Creekside Business Park located just off of the north side of County Road 70 (215th Street West) and Humboldt Court and are in the midst of a metal building project on this site for our client, which can be found on our Project Page.

CERRON has additional land listings available in the South Metro, and all indicators suggest now is the time to invest in land. Take a look at the following Land for Sale, to see if these might be a fit for your group:

1. JJT Business Park: This is a great site just off of Hwy 3 and County Road 42 in Rosemount, MN. The 36 acre site includes rail access and is zoned for manufacturing, distribution, office warehouse, and professional office buildings. With just 17 miles to St. Paul and less than 5 miles to Hwy 52, this is an ideal site for a variety of uses.

2. Bank Owned Industrial Land: This site located on the south side of County Road 70 and Highview Avenue, Lakeville, includes 10.14 platted acres with I-2 zoning for general industrial. This is a pad ready site with rail access via spur, outside storage permitted, and near Lakeville Airport.

3. Creekside Business Park: This site located just off County Road 70 on Humboldt Court, has just three three (3) lots remaining. Remaining lots range from 1.46 acres to 1.78 acres with outside storage permitted and great visibility – all located in MN’s second largest industrial park – Airlake Industrial Park, Lakeville, MN.

This is just a sampling of some of our land for sale in South Metro MN, with more land listings available HERE.

If you have commercial property you would like to sell, please contact our team to learn more about what makes CERRON’s commercial property services the best in the industry, in order to get your property sold at the best price in the least amount of time!

Office Warehouse Space Apple Valley Business Campus

Office Warehouse Space Apple Valley Business Campus

Office Warehouse Space Apple Valley

Office warehouse space Apple Valley Business Campus is a new project in the heart of Dakota County’s thriving city of Apple Valley, MN. The focus for this office warehouse space Apple Valley is as follows:

This project will consist of four (4) industrial buildingd designed to appeal to a broad range of industrial, showroom, office/warehouse and manufacturing businesses.

The product is very flexible and will provide size options from 1,500 to 60,000 square feet. The target market is a business requiring 3,000 to 10,000 square feet.

The owner of this project has had significant experience with this product and has found that this product meets a broad market need. The owner has placed tenants in close to 300,000 square feet of similar product. This type of quality product is not readily available today in the Apple Valley marketplace.

Apple Valley’s strong demographics, public transportation, sound infrastructure and curent lack of this type of product makes Apple Valley an ideal location for this project.

Industrial buildings located at 14607 Felton Court & 14608 Felton Court in Apple Valley, MN, are the first two buildings at this project site. The 14607 building is at two-thirds capacity and the 14608 building has just two spaces remaining.

Response to this project has been tremendous! The uses for these spaces are abundant and could include meeting the needs of: Office/Warehouse, Instructional Athletic, Manufacturing, Distribution, Show Room, Appliance/Small Engine Repair, Assembly /Fabrications-Light, Research Labs, Sign Shop, Storage in Building, Trade Schools, Machine Shop, Millwork, and Cabinets.

Additional building features include:

  • I-2 zoning
  • Drive-In Doors – 12’ wide X 14’ High
  • Dock Door (14608 available in the 5,000 or 10,000 SF options)
  • Built Out Office
  • 120/208V of 200Amp Power Service
  • 14608 Felton Court equipped with 480V Power Service
  • State of the Art Communications
  • Several Size Options Available
  • 18’ 6” Clear Height
  • Forced Air Heat
  • Office – Heat and Air Conditioned

Additional information including a virtual tour of this space, flyers, and a contact form may be found at our CERRON listing page for Apple Valley Business Campus.

This office warehouse space Apple Valley project is developed, built and managed by Hebert Properties and is marketed and leased by CERRON Commercial Properties, LLC who may be contacted by email at brucer@cerron.com or phone at 952-469-9444.