Meet the APPRO and CERRON Team: Jack Matasosky

Meet the APPRO and CERRON Team: Jack Matasosky

Continuing to introduce you to the members of our team, we would like to introduce you to Jack Matasosky! We hope you have fun learning more about our fabulous team at APPRO & CERRON.

 

Name: Jack Matasosky

Role: CEO, Sales, Owner  APPRO Development & CERRON Commercial Properties Broker/Owner

 

APPRO and CERRON help businesses find and/or create great spaces – what about that do you love?

  • I sincerely love the outcome and especially the entire engaging process with clients. We have the opportunity to join our clients as an active participant  int heir firm for a time, while we investigate their operations and need, provide options, and ultimately help create property solutions that enhance their operations!

Describe your role with APPRO and CERRON in 10-15 words.

  •  My role here is sales, management, and a little of everything else.

Why should someone who doesn’t know APPRO and CERRON, choose our companies?

  • I would hope a client would choose our firms because they can trust us to create solutions to their needs based on the breadth of our knowledge/skill in in these markets.

What is your earliest memory of selling, designing or building something?

  • Elementary school – I always wanted to study Architecture at some point. I would doodle in class – if I liked a teacher, I would draw them in a beautiful building or setting. If I didn’t care for the topic – they might end up behind bars in some rat hole jailhouse!

What makes our team unique?

  • We have based and built our companies on the simple premise of serving client need. We recognize the magnitude of the investment in a property solution – whether a new building, an addition, or relocating to a new space, and we work very hard to make sure clients feel they have made all of their decisions based on clear, relevant and extensive data.

What inspires and/or motivates you in what you do with APPRO and CERRON?

  • Every project, every client is unique and to be able to partner with that particular client for a period of time is exciting and fresh to me.
What do you do outside of the office for fun?

  • My fun outside of the office typically revolves around my wife and son – his hockey and sports activities fill our lives with joy. When other time is available – skiing, fishing, hunting and golfing are things I enjoy.

What is the best compliment you have received?

  • I value integrity and sincerity so highly in others – so when someone mentions them about me – I really appreciate the compliment.
What is your favorite sport (to cheer on or to play)?
  • First and foremost would be my son’s hockey team…then, any other hockey team.

Where is one place you have not been, but would really like to go?

  • Heaven…but, not quite yet!

In contrast to our last team member interview, Jack Mataosky is the most senior member of our team, having officially launched APPRO Development in 1987. He was formerly part of Hitchcock Industries, providing architectural and construction management skills to help develop and build Airlake Industrial Park, a division of Hitchcock Industries. Over the years, Jack has been an integral part of our local community by serving on the Lakeville Economic Development Commission and Chamber of Commerce (and was even voted Business Person of the Year in 1993), as well as serving on multiple boards of directors and foundations. Jack is a driven leader and passionate about every project in which he is involved. He values his team, making sure to greet every member each morning – with or without his shoes on!

View more team member links HERE.
 
Want to continue to learn more about our team and all that we do to provide expert property solutions? If you haven’t already, subscribe to our newsletter to receive project updates, design ideas, current available properties, and much more! . {{cta(‘d460cbc2-63ba-4882-b207-d05998195700’)}}


Top Five Property Solutions Backpack Tools

Top Five “Property Solutions Backpack” Must Have Tools

We would all agree that having the right tools can make a world of difference. We would like to share some “must haves” for your “Property Solutions Backpack”.

Over the years, what we keep in our property solutions backpack certainly has changed over time. As we transition from pencil and paper to desktop software to cloud-based solutions we take with us on the go. Our team is excited to share a variety of tools you may find helpful to your business as you consider your space needs.

Continue to read to learn more about:

  • Tools we use to get our job done
  • Tools we share with our clients
  • Tools you might want to use to keep your team organized and on track


Property Solutions Backpack by APPRO and CERRON

Whether you are the “freshman” just jumping in, or the “big guy” on campus, these Top Five Tools will be helpful for each of you:

  1. Notebook – new building owners who work with our team receive a 3-ring binder or “notebook” upon completion of a project. Inside, we include warranty information, copies of plans and other details about the building, and how to get in touch with our team. If we didn’t build your building, do you keep all of this information in an easily accessible location? If not, it 
  2. Data – if you are a tenant, owner or landlord, by understanding the details of your property location, you know more about your potential clients, neighbors, and possibly your competition. Did you know you may order a FREE demographics report on your location from our team? We typically pull this report when working on a new real estate listing, but we would be happy to pull a report at any time to help you understand more about your property’s location. Did you know you can also check out an area of interest with an app on your smart phone called “Sitegeist”? It isn’t as detailed as our demographics report, but could get you some of the details you need when exploring a new location.
  3. Checklists – we all make them, and some people live to make them just to see the items checked off. Did you know that we have a “Commercial Building Maintenance” checklist on our website? Also, if you REALLY love checklists, here is one more tip – if you don’t already have the Evernote app on your desktop and/or smartphone, you should! Having your checklists available in the palm of your hand, or accessible on any device, is a true time saver!!
  4. Calculator – Curious to know how to calculate how much space you need? Or, need to figure out just how much a change in rate would impact your purchase power? We offer a Space Calculator and a Mortgage Calculator (found on the main page – left side in tools) on our website to help answer these questions.
  5. Ruler – Every backpack needs a ruler. Do you know how to read a blueprint? Having an architect’s or engineer’s ruler helps to convert scale from say 1/8” or 1/4”. If you would like to request a free scale, email us and let us know if you prefer architectural or engineering style in the comments field.

You might also have interest in these links:

Property Improvement Opportunities

Property Improvements – Tax Savings

Financing Commercial Real Estate 

Financing Checklist

We hope you enjoyed learning about these tools. If you are in need of additional Property Solutions assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact our team – we are here to help!

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Who is a Good Commercial Remodel Company in MN?

Who is a good great commercial remodel company, you may ask? We are! At APPRO Development, a south metro, MN, commercial general contractor, we have been hard at work to help our clients with some innovative remodel projects around the Twin Cities over the past couple of weeks.

Erik's Bike Shop - Remodel by APPROWe have been working with Erik’s Bike Shop to renovate the former St. Paul Union Hall, St. Paul, MN.

This commercial renovation project includes demo to the existing Union Hall interior, replacing all existing with new rooftop units, frame out of two (2) restrooms, and renovating the exterior of the existing building for the shell of this project. Future tenant improvement work will follow for this retail end user. As a design build general contractor, we work directly with our client every step along the way to obtain the necessary permits, track costs, work with subcontractors, and bring the project in on time and on budget.

 

04052013 (7)We have also been working on a project for BTD in Lakeville, Minnesota.

This project includes the renovation of the interior of this industrial facility focusing on office space remodel by stripping existing finishes and providing new painting, flooring, doors, and ceilings to create a more modern space for this end user.

You can track the progress of either of these projects by clicking on the project names which will link you directly to their individual project pages.

 

If you have a commercial remodel, renovation, addition or expansion project in the Twin Cities, we are your commercial general contractor, working hard to provide property solutions for you…with you, across MN and ND. Contact us today for more information on our commercial building remodeling process.

 

For additional information on the project for Erik’s Bike Shop in St. Paul, read this article: Erik’s Bike Shop in the News.

APPRO and CERRON Website Under Construction

APPRO and CERRON is Getting a New Look

appro and cerron new websiteThe APPRO and CERRON website located at both www.APPRODEVELOPMENT.com and www.CERRON.com is getting a new look! Over the past week we have transitioned from our original website to a newly designed platform, which will be faster and easier to navigate, with the goal of saving you time while you are searching for a property solution.

Our new site will still include all the property solutions tools we have had on our website in the past:

  • Search Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Listings in MN and ND
  • Search Current Commercial Construction Projects in MN and ND
  • Search Completed Commercial Construction Projects in MN and ND
  • Find Commercial Property Solutions and Tools (e.g. Space Calculators, Financing Tools and Checklists, Maintenance Checklist, and more!)

Over the next few days, we will continue to bring in all of our property listing and project records. We apologize for any inconvenience during this time and sincerely appreciate your patience. Our team is working quickly to provide more property solutions for you!

In the meantime, if you should have any questions, or are looking for a specific property, please do not hesitate to contact our team. You may email our team at: office@approdevelopment.com or info@cerron.com, or feel free to call us at either (952) 469-2171 or (952) 469-9444.

 

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

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!

 

 

Fourth of July in Lakeville, MN

4th of july in Lakeville MN picture of flag-fireworksFourth of July in Lakeville, MN

Fourth of July week is here! At APPRO and CERRON, we are lucky to work in the great community of Lakeville, MN. Lakeville’s Panorama of Progress (“Pan-O-Prog”) is celebrating its 47th year this year July 4th through the 14th. There is a lot going on this year so don’t miss out on any of the fun activities. The enjoyable week starts off with a spectacular free fireworks display the night of the 4th. Included in the fun night is live music by the band CASTAWAYS, temporary tattoos, clowns, and concessions. Don’t miss out on any of the festive events!

Other great events include:

  • A fishing tournament, Saturday, July 6th at 6:00 a.m. at Casperson Park
  • Baby Crawl-a-thon, Tuesday, July 9th at 10:00 a.m. at the Heritage Center
  • Miss Lakeville Scholarship Pageant, Wednesday, July 10th 6:00 p.m. at Lakeville South High School
  • Beer brats and bingo, Thursday, July 11th 5:00 p.m. Lakeville arts center
  • Fun Fair Friday, July 11th-13th from 12:00 noon – 10:00 p.m. Lakeville area arts center parking lot
  • Classic car cruise, Friday, July 12th 6:30 pm downtown
  • Grand parade, Saturday, July 13th 5:30 pm downtown
  • Babe’s tent dance, 8:00 p.m. on Saturday night.

Hope to see you there!

(Additional information on festivities can be found at Pan-O-Prog.)

APPRO and CERRON will be closed Thursday, July 4th and Friday, July 5th in observance of the Fourth of July holiday.

APPRO Development, Inc. has been providing property solutions to our local Lakeville community for more than 25 years! Contact us if you need help finding the perfect property solution in MN or ND.

Social Media – Tips, Tricks, and Shortcuts

Social-Media-People

Social media – tips, tricks, and shortcuts are on the brain this week at APPRO and CERRON. Why? Well, we made the commitment this past year to dig in more deeply to the utilization of social media to begin or continue discussions with our friends and clients, in addition to finding out what is important to each of their businesses. And, why not? It is growing in use due to an increase in mobile device usage and an adoption of use by the older segment of our population, according to a recent article by Jeff Bullas for Small Business on Yahoo!, titled, “21 Awesome Social Media Facts, Figures and Statistics for 2013.”

According to Bullas, here are some very interesting facts about the adoption and growth of social media:

  • Mobile – with the number of people accessing the Internet via a mobile phone increasing by 60.3% to 818.4 million in the last 2 years.
  • Older users adoption – On Twitter the 55-64 year age bracket is the fastest growing demographic at 79% since 2012. The fastest growing demographic on Facebook’s and Google+’s networks are the 45 to 54 year age bracket at 46% and 56% respectively.

In addition, we wanted to share some basic stats for each of the social media outlets we found fascinating (again thanks to Jeff Bullas (who can be followed on @jeffbullas on Twitter) for sharing these stats):

  • Facebook: Monthly active users have passed 1.1 billion for the first time
  • Twitter: 288 million monthly active users
  • YouTube: 1 billion unique monthly visitors
  • Google+: 359 million monthly active users according to a Global Web Index study
  • LinkedIn: Over 200 million users

We were fascinated by these stats and consider ourselves relative novices in the use social media. So, maybe like you, if you have jumped on and are in the midst of “liking”, “tweeting”, and “sharing” but, find it all takes a whole lot of time in your day (you didn’t really have to spare), we would like to share some time saving shortcuts with you. We came across this great social media shortcut infographic article on Quintly, by Aljoscha Fermor we wanted to share with our readers.

If you have not already connected with us on our social media sites – go ahead and click on the links at the top of our web page, or right here: We look forward to connecting with you to bring you property solutions as we continue to work for you…with you!

quintly Infographic: Social Media Shortcuts - How To Save Your Time On Social Media Platforms

Innovation’s Golden Age

Raymond Kurzweil on WSJ comments by APPRO Development & CERRON Properties

Innovation’s Golden Age was an interesting post on the Wall Street Journal’s website this week (www.wsj.com). At APPRO and CERRON, we are fortunate to work with some very forward thinking companies in MN and ND, and we learn about their businesses as we help them find property solutions to meet their unique needs.

I have come across Ray Kurzweil’s writings and presentations multiple times in the past few years and am intrigued by this innovator, speaker, and futurist. The Wall Street Journal has a spotlight section featuring the greatest innovators of our time and this week’s feature includes commentary by Kurzweil, which can be found at: WSJ Link.

In this short video, Kurzweil describes how quickly technology has changed and the mind baffling rate at which new inventions and innovations are being created. He shares that these inventions have been created within the past century with less time and expense than ever before.

If you find Kurzweil’s comments interesting and want to learn more about his work, this is a link to the TED talks he has given: TED link

If your business is in the midst of creating innovative solutions for the world in which we live, and find that your space needs are changing as a result – contact us today. No question is too large or too small, as we are more than happy to chat with you about your unique situation.

 

 

How’s Business? What You Measure Matters!

APPRO-CERRON-RulerHow’s business? What you measure matters! I recently read a great article by Edmond Lau via Quora, titled “Pick the right metric to incentivize the behavior you want.” In this article Lau reviews Jim Collins’ story in Good to Great, regarding the importance of measuring the right metric.

Lau elaborates on the story of Walgreens’ CEO, Cork Walgreen, in his decision to measure the profit per customer visit, rather than the profit per store (which was a standard metric for their competition at the time). For Walgreens, this increased their stock price from $1 per share to a whopping $562 over the course of 25 years. Because they changed their paradigm to something outside of the industry standard, they realized significant increases in their revenues. By taking that information and choosing to purchase properties on convenient corners, Walgreens thereby increased the convenience for each customer which in turn directly impacted the revenues generated. Walgreens chose not to be just “good” but “great” by thinking differently about their business model and the metrics utilized to measure their successes.

At APPRO and CERRON, we utilize a variety of different metrics in our business. Take for example, my role in marketing which measures the number of people who read a blog post such as this, or how many people visit our website, which begins the process of client contact in the form of calls, emails and appointments. This article had me considering Lau’s statement, “…but the choice of the actual metric to focus on significantly influences the actions we take. The right metric aligns team efforts toward a common goal, that if achieved, increases the success of the product or organization; the wrong metric leads to efforts that might be ineffective or, even worse, counterproductive.”

What we measure, and don’t measure, truly matters, as Lau points out:

“Similarly, when setting metrics for ourselves, we should ask ourselves: If you could pick one and only one metric to systematically increase over time, what metric would have the greatest and most sustainable impact on you and your team’s effectiveness?”

At APPRO and CERRON, we pride ourselves in providing property solutions for our customers since 1987. One metric we measure and which drives our business, is the number of satisfied clients we have served and our repeat customers who continue to work with us year after year. Feel free to give us a call if you are reviewing the metrics in your business plan and find that a change in space is a possible solution. We would be happy to help walk you through an analysis to see if a change might make sense for you and your business. Contact us today!