At this time of year, successfully marketing then selling your Commercial property means paying attention to our approaching Lake County Winter weather!
People may not be out and about as much as in the fair-weather months, but the buyer looking for exactly what you have will be diligent and may show up. So, don’t let up on your presentation disciplines! While the rain season is vital to our region, the exterior of your commercial buildings take real punishment. Add in the high winds that usually accompany the Winter storms and there is high potential for damage.
Many factors need to be considered. A leaking roof does double damage, often seriously ruining interior ceilings –and whatever equipment, furnishings and inventory may sit inside below the leaks. Debris on wet walkways is an invitation for pedestrian accidents and can have insurance implications. Pipes can and do freeze. The list goes on!
The functional status of your commercial property will help you develop the appropriate, vital checklist to guide you through sensible and essential bad weather preps.
Commercial property with uninhabited building structures, and without a designated caretaker or maintenance contract is probably the easiest to overlook for regular maintenance and upkeep. If the owner/seller lives away from the location it’s sensible to make arrangements for general upkeep. Regularly check for vandalism or natural causes damage, freshen exterior paint, keep signage and grounds in good shape. Be sure there is low or no opportunity for easy access, particularly if the property is located in a very low traffic area. Then, be ready to monitor with the onset of harsh Winter weather.
Commercial buildings with static storage inventories, but no on-sight attendant need extra proofing for foul weather because of the “three factor” – the grounds, the building itself and the value of the inventory. Along with signage, paint and grounds considerations, serious roof leakage, broken windows or frozen pipes that burst can almost guarantee loss in several directions; loss in sale value, loss of inventory investment value and sticky insurance problems. Preparation and prevention has to be a priority. Is the inventory part of the sale – perhaps an added incentive option? That buyer you are hoping for may appear unpredictably!
Commercial property with up and running business, (whether owner/operator or tenants) is a somewhat easier situation. Easier concerning Winter weather preparations — not necessarily from the task assessment point of view, but definitely with the advantage of people on-sight, ongoing. As the potential seller of occupied commercial property you have a double burden: conduct regular business, and at the same time keep the environment in the best presentation shape possible. Winter weather complicates everything! Your operation may have only in-house staff coming and going. Or, you might have the public – client and customer traffic. You might have a warehouse or industry crew in a moving stream including vehicles on-and-off-loading. There’s going to be water, wind, muck and flooring damage from hard use. You get the picture! Commercial property that is an active, functioning situation needs to present well in both aspects: healthy business underway and a sound building in excellent condition.
\Commercial, undeveloped land for sale is a different situation. Removal of debris, keeping field grass mowed, pruning trees and other vegetation is wise maintenance. Fire thrives where there is dead vegetation or high grass. Perspectives and vantage points are better served when there is a clear, clean view.
If you are debating whether to list now or wait for Spring –decide to list! The ardent pursuer is persistent – regardless of the weather!
Appearance counts! Is your commercial realtor out there selling for you – or out there making excuses that relate to season or weather?
Jim Magliulo is the leading Commercial Real Estate Agent in Lake County. He has been Sales Agent of the Year for 5 years and holds the Lake County record for the highest total sales volume in one year for a non-broker agent. He can be reached at County Air Commercial at 707-263-5729, at jim@countryair.com, or at www.CountryAirCommercial.com Send Jim your email address if you would like to be notified of new commercial listing in Lake County.
