Gibson Company

To Centralize or Decentralize – That is the Question

To Centralize or Decentralize – That is the Question In the world of corporate real estate, businesses often wrestle with the decision to centralize or decentralize control over their remote facilities. Unfortunately, there is not a simple, right or wrong solution to the dilemma. At the end of the day, it typically boils down to […]

Your Rights & Obligations in Restoration

Your Rights & Obligations in Restoration Restoration – we’re not talking ‘that old house’ restoration. Rather, we are talking about Restoration as a legal term used in leases. It is an often overlooked requirement buried deep in commercial and industrial leases. Restoration goes along with the concept of “ordinary wear and tear.” It can result […]

Knowledge is Power

Knowledge is Power Touring a sausage factory is the only time knowledge is dangerous. If you actually see how sausage is made, you likely won’t be inclined to eat it again. Other than that, knowledge is tremendously powerful. Knowledge is the primary goal of negotiation strategy; and for good reason. When you have knowledge of […]

Competitive Bidding – Be Smart with Your Money

Competitive Bidding – Be Smart with Your Money When we hear the term competitive bidding most of us think about auctions. Whether it’s a silent or live auction at a charity event, or perhaps eBay, we have a pretty good idea how it works. Simply, it is the act of soliciting or making multiple offers for a […]

Why are some Landlords “Out-of-Touch”?

Why are some Landlords “Out-of-Touch”? Tenants today tend to be well informed. They read journals, market reports and newspaper articles. Though they may only be in the lease market every few years, they know what’s going on most all the time. They know many commercial real estate markets across the country are hurting. So, when […]

What’s better – TI Allowance or Turnkey Buildout?

What’s better – TI Allowance or Turnkey Buildout? Most commercial real estate lease transactions include some construction modification to the space (“Premises”). The improvements can be as simple as paint and carpet, or more complex with demolition and new construction. Negotiating the Tenant Improvements (“TI’s”) often is the most crucial part of the transaction. Construction […]

What effect will Capital Lease Accounting have on Tenants?

What effect will Capital Lease Accounting have on Tenants? As if Tenants didn’t have enough things to worry about, soon they will have a new accounting regulation with which to comply. This is known as Capital Lease Accounting. This regulation will not affect leases per se, but it will mean that Tenants will need to […]

Market Deals – How you can do better!

Market Deals – How you can do better! In the world of commercial real estate, references are often made to market deals. Cocktail talk and casual conversation are when tenants like to tell-all about recent deals they’ve done. Generally, few specifics are volunteered. Somewhere in the conversation though it comes out -“I got a market […]

Audit Operating Expenses

Audit Operating Expenses Auditing Operating Expenses (O.E.) is like going to the Dentist without Novocaine. That’s because the audit process is typically arduous, confusing, convoluted and time consuming. On the other hand, done successfully, an audit can uncover mistakes & errors, over-billing, duplicate invoicing, non-allowable charges, etc., etc. Added up, these erroneous charges can amount […]

Lease Audit

Lease Audit Lease Audit is a broad topic that means different things to different people. In most cases Lease Audit is associated with auditing Operating Expenses (“OE”). OE reconcilliations are an annual ritual in which the Tenant scrutinizes the Landlord’s numbers for variable and reimbursable expenses. This area of Lease Audit is covered in other articles. A […]