Where you work is important. It is the place you build your strategy, serve your community and motivate your staff. Everyone dreams of a location where they can achieve their goals in the best way possible. But it can be difficult to find it.

Some organizations feel trapped where they are. They might think they will not qualify for a new location, or believe that the costs to move or occupy will be too high. The challenges to finding the best property can be daunting. But like so many challenges, the solutions lie in knowledge.

A seasoned commercial-only real estate agent is key to helping organizations match their dreams to reality. And surprisingly, it is often more achievable than they would expect – with the right information, support and know-how.

Key Considerations

• The property must be zoned for your use. This can be more complicated than it seems. A “counseling center” that administers medications may be considered a “clinic” in some municipalities.
• Depending on what you do, parking requirements can differ. For example, some areas require five parking stalls for every 1,000 square feet for a medical service, but only three stalls for every 1,000 square feet for general office. Others may not require any on-site parking at all.
• Some locations will reduce parking requirements if the business is close to Trax or an Express Bus.
• Proximity to schools, homes, churches, or public buildings can bring its own set of unique requirements.
• Many older buildings without elevators will provide main floor ADA restrooms and conference rooms so that you can meet your clients’ needs.
• Some lenders will offer loans to non-profit organizations, some will not.
• If a building that is purchased for an art gallery used to be a bank, everything in the building could be required to be brought up to current code.

The longer I sit here, the more things I think of. But this is not to discourage you from pursuing your dream location. Quite the contrary – your ideal spot is out there, but you have to know where and how to look. I always recommend that you interview agents and make sure that they have good commercial experience, and also understand your organization’s unique needs so that you can work together to make your workspace dreams come true.