One of the most under-appreciated and misunderstood professions has got to be commercial real estate brokering. I used a company once prior to find space and it seemed all we did was drive around and look at space that was not right for my business. I wasn't quite sure even what the broker did - or who paid him.
That has all changed for me since I started working with Marshall Blount at UpJohn Blount. He is the master. We talked about getting the right size space for my business and how important it was going to be to my business cash-flow. Also talked about our future growth plans - and if I thought we would need space to grow in the next 2-3 years. And then we talked about parking, and restaurants close by and all of the other things that matter every day you're in business that have nothing to do with the actual space. I hadn't thought about it until he brought it up - but he was right on track.
I also needed to know about signage, and utilities and what if we had to move before our lease was up - what were the penalties. Marshal had been through all of this before. I would call him the small business-person's friend. He knows what we face and he knows what it's like to be an entrepreneur. The last thing we need are surprises - especially in something as important as our business space.
He knows the Waldo area extremely well, although I'd say he has properties all over town - Overland Park, Olathe, Brookside,you name it. He is the rare commercial real estate who actually cares about more than a cashing a check. It was like hew was a partner in what we were trying to do. I would definitely recommend him and UpJohn Blount. read more
