Insights

A lot of tenants commonly ask, “What is TI and Abatement?” and it’s a good question. Tenants ask because a lot of landlords don’t typically offer it, so it’s unknown what it is. However, it is certainly available in every transaction.

Every month, Tenant Advisory Group hosts an Executives Luncheon to provide an opportunity for Chicago business leaders to build new, meaningful connections and discuss topics relevant to running a business. During one of March’s Executives Luncheons, attendees were prompted with the question, “What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made and how did you overcome it?” Here...

Every month, Tenant Advisory Group hosts an Executives Breakfast and an Executives Luncheon to provide an opportunity for Chicago business leaders to build new, meaningful connections and discuss topics relevant to running a business. During the Executives Breakfast, attendees were prompted with the question, “What are your best practices for business development?” Here are a...

Every month, Tenant Advisory Group hosts an Executives Luncheon to provide an opportunity for Chicago business leaders to build new, meaningful connections and discuss topics relevant to running a business. During February’s Executives Luncheon, attendees were prompted with the question, “What new technology is disrupting your industry and how do you plan to adjust or...

Welcome to the topic “Purchasing Class A, B, or C Commercial Property: A Comprehensive Guide“ When it comes to investing in commercial real estate, one of the first decisions you’ll face is whether to invest in A, B, or C class commercial property. Understanding the differences and nuances between these property classes is essential for...

All businessmen and women know that a baseline of trust between parties is critical to the success of any negotiation. But within the course of business dealings, how do you build that trust? What active steps can you take to raise the chances of a positive outcome for both sides? Instead of simply hoping that...

Commercial real estate is typically a company’s second or third largest expense to payroll and materials. Yet, never in the twenty years that I have been a commercial real estate broker has space been on the mind of almost every single business owner and CEO.  In the last 7 months, I have seen corporate leaders...

Fireside Chicago features Founder of Tenant Advisory Group (TAG) Bill Himmelstein. Bill shares how TAG leverages their relationships to get in front of the right people and shares his tips for connecting with others. A special thank you to Tim Schumm of Lucas James Talent Partners!

Before signing a lease, you want to make sure you are happy with the terms for the entire lease duration. To do this, you must understand the internal pieces of a lease so you can negotiate favorable terms with the landlord.

Welcome to the topic “Designing Commercial Offices For Hybrid Workers“ Commercial hybrid offices are definitely the need of the time. As the world adapts to the new normal of hybrid working, where employees split their time between working remotely and commuting to the office a few times a week, commercial real estate offices are undergoing...

Choosing where to house a business can be extremely difficult – especially when deciding between the city or the suburbs. There are the obvious factors to take into account; financials, space, client locations, commute and employees. However, there are two lesser-known pulling factors that you need to take into account: Tax credits and split-office locations....

Unless you work for a brokerage firm, you are not an expert when it comes to commercial real estate leases. Leave it to the experts when it comes time to negotiate your lease.

This is a question that has been posed to me hundreds of times in my career. The answer is simple: now! What I mean by that is you should review your lease on a yearly basis. A company’s business should drive its real estate needs, not the other way around. The real estate should support...

Welcome to the topic “What To Expect During The Tenant Representation Process“ Many people can be skeptical of using tenant representation in their lease transaction, mainly because they don’t know the benefits. It’s surprising how so many are still unaware of how a tenant representative broker can assist in making their leasing transaction easier, smoother,...

The June Executives Breakfast and Luncheon offered a constructive environment for local Chicago entrepreneurs to broaden their network. Attendees had the opportunity to share ideas, experiences and business advice with one another. At the executives breakfast, guests were asked “what they have done, or stopped doing, that has increased their productivity.” Here are a few...

When building your office floor plan, it’s always better to have more room than not enough space. Packing people into an office lowers employee satisfaction and can lead to a counterproductive work environment, which may negate any money you save in rent. By offering your staff more free space and a comfortable office, not only...

Starting your own business is hard enough, but taking the plunge and moving into your first office space, can be even harder. Finding the perfect spot requires planning, patience and a solid team behind you. Though it can be overwhelming, I’d like to share six tips that can help you during the process:

From the seasoned lease or contract negotiator to the first timer, it is vital to have a strong set of ideals behind all negotiations. The more confidence in and acumen with these skills that one has, the higher opportunity for coming away with a positive outcome.

Money Matters invited Bill Himmelstein on their podcast to share his experiences in starting his own business, as well as divulging tips to young people on how to advance in the industry.

Welcome to the Topic “Commercial Retail Properties and the Effects of E-commerce” Since its start in 1991, e-commerce has grown exponentially. Currently, online sales account for nearly 14% of total retail sales in the United States, which Deloitte estimates will more than double by 2030. Perhaps even more significant is that e-commerce sales now account...