Southcreek News

What Should Be Included in a Purchase Contract for Commercial Realty in Overland Park

Are you overwhelmed by figuring out what you might want to include in a commercial real estate purchase contract? While the exact content of a contract will vary from transaction to transaction, some experts recognize a few staples that most commercial real estate contracts should set forth:

•   The parties
•   The sales price of the property and terms of payment
•   A description of the property
•   Specifics on title and title insurance
•   Closing location and date
•   Any financing contingencies
•   Closing conditions
•   Warranties and representations
•   Provision for any environmental and hazardous waste
•   Matters of land use and zoning
•   A plan of action if a party breaches contract
•   Inspection and due diligence rights
•   Attorney’s fees and costs
•   Matters regarding dispute resolution
•   Term and termination rights
•   Governing laws
•   Notice and any other typical contractual provisions

This list is just a basic guideline from one expert. A little research and a conversation with a lawyer could also be helpful steps in making sure you are ready to draw up a contract for you business’s future rental property.

If you would like to learn more about the terms of renting with Southcreek Office Park, feel free to give one of our commercial real estate brokers in Overland Park a call at 913-685-4100. Many of our spaces are perfect for small, start-up companies, and we would be happy to answer any commercial real estate questions you have!

Common Questions about Commercial Realty in Kansas City

Perhaps you are just starting a business and are not quite familiar with all of the ins and outs of renting commercial real estate. Here are a few common questions about commercial real estate transactions and some expert answers:

What exactly does commercial real estate mean? Commercial real estate can refer to any real property transactions in a business context. This could mean something as basic as renting office space, or owning and selling real property (i.e. an apartment complex) as part of the sale of a business. The property could be agricultural, industrial, or even residential spaces being used for business purposes.
What are some typical risks of a commercial real estate transaction? Some commercial properties might come with liens or other title problems depending on the type of business. Other common issues include zoning concerns or the presence of hazardous materials. Those looking to buy commercial real estate also need to consider whether the location of the real estate serves their business’s needs.
Does it matter how I take title to commercial real estate property? There are many issues that could arise regarding how you chose to take title. Taking title to the property as an individual is risky, because you could be dealing with possible liability exposure that you would be better off minimizing or avoiding altogether. Experts recommend that instead renters take title to commercial properties in the name of a limited liability company with a single purpose.

If you want to know more about getting started finding commercial office rental in Kansas City, give our broker Kathy Woodward DDI Commercial a call at 913-685-4100!

3 Tips for Creating a Welcoming Kansas City Office Space

It is important to create a welcoming work environment both for your own employees and your clients. Here are three tips, or three “Fs” of office decorating to remember when trying to create an inviting space:

1.   Furniture. As odd as it might sound, strategic furniture placement when decorating a room can be traced back to the famous Chinese art of Fung Shui. The goal is to create a sense of “chi,” or energy flow, that contributes to a peaceful feeling in the room. Color schemes also can improve chi in a space.
2.   Frames. Visual pieces on the walls both leave an impression on a client and have to be seen by employees daily. The key is to not overdo frames, because that can create a sense of chaos, but a total lack of wall décor can make an office space seem bare and cold. It is important to achieve a balance between these by finding a suitable amount of decorations that work with a consistent color scheme.
3.   Filing. It may seem like a daunting project, but do not be afraid to leave behind the old filing cabinets and start using computers. Though this transfer might seem difficult at first, it is actually a time, stress, and money saver in the long run. Losing the paper will both free up space and increase your organization and accuracy. Be sure to back up your files on disks or memory sticks—a small shelf of these backups is a much more efficient use of space than a forest of filing cabinets.

Need to find some office rental space in Kansas City before you start worrying about decorating? Give us a call at 913-685-4100 to find out how Southcreek Office Park can help you create your perfect office space.

4 Reasons to Consider Getting a Virtual Receptionist for Your Small Office Lease in Kansas City

Does your small business lack the luxury of a live receptionist to answer your calls and receive your customers? You might be in need of a virtual receptionist. A virtual receptionist is not a machine, but rather a real person who acts as a professional representative for your company from a virtual office or virtual receptionist firm. Here are a few reasons why this might help your business:

1.   You need your employees. Sometimes with a small business, you constantly need all hands on deck doing everything from inventory, to marketing, to accounting. Your employees might simply be too busy to answer the phone. A virtual receptionist can screen calls, forward them, and take messages, freeing up your employees to focus on more important aspects of your business without worrying about missing sales or customer calls.
2.   They can be trained in the specifics of your business. If you need a receptionist to schedule appointments and take orders, they can learn do that for your specific business. If you need more than one receptionist to deal with a large amount of phone orders or customer service calls, that can be arranged as well.
3.   Growth for your business. A virtual receptionist can help your business grow by answering more calls and taking more orders, as well as giving your employees more time to do other things…which all adds up to more money for your business!
4.   Better than none at all! The practical bottom line is that lacking a receptionist could be detrimental to a small business. Answering calls takes employees away from more important work, and an automated machine can be difficult for customers to deal with, so an ideal solution might just a live person from outside of your business.

Are you a small business owner looking to set up shop in your first office rental space? Southcreek has plenty of affordable office space in Kansas City for smaller businesses! Give one of our commercial realtors in Kansas City a call at 913-685-4100 to tell us about what your small business needs to succeed.

Find Out About Flexibility When Renting Office Space in Kansas City

When choosing an office rental space, you will want to know how flexible the management of your office lease is going to be in accommodating your needs as a potential tenant. You might want to ask yourself and the owners of the office space a few questions to see if they will be able to work with the particular needs of your business:

•   Do you want 24/7 access to your office, or are you fine with typical 9 a.m. to 5 p.m hours?
•   Do you need mail forwarding services for when you travel?
•   What is the office space’s policy on children?
•   Is it possible for you to stop by for only a few hours during the week to work?
•   Are the services and spaces scalable in the event that you need to expand because of future business growth?
•   Is the office space already configured, or can you design it according to your business’s needs?

Knowing the needs of your business and employees before you sign a lease can help you avoid unforeseen flexibility problems. Ask yourself and your broker these questions to help you determine whether an office is a fit for you!

Did you know that Southcreek Office Park management is always accessible to our tenants? We are more than happy to help you figure out space and technical requirements, modifications to the space, leasing questions, preparation and décor, security, maintenance, and more. Give one of our commercial realtors in Overland Park a call at 913-685-4100 to ask any questions you might have!

Considering Client Impression during Your Commercial Property Search in Kansas City

Not only is it important to consider the needs of your business and employees when looking for an office rental space, but it is also imperative to think about the impression the space you choose will make on your clients. Clients will consider the office space to be a reflection of your business, so you want to make sure that your office is client-friendly. Here are a few questions to ask when considering how a client will perceive your office space:

•   Does the office space include security, to make your client feel safe, but does it also feel welcoming?
•   Is the space up-to-date, clean, and well-maintained, so that the client believes that your business is the same way?
•   Are there hotels in the area for out-of-town clients to stay at?
•   Are there amenities in the area for entertaining clients?

While you might be concerned about how much an office space meets your business’s needs, remember that a client is more concerned with how the space reflects on your company.

Did you know that Southcreek Office Park buildings include on-site property management, and even 24 hour security in many buildings? We are also located near several hotels for your clients, a few of which offer Southcreek tenant discounts. Give one of our commercial real estate brokers in Kansas City a call at 913-685-4100 to learn more about how we can help you find a space that will impress your clients!

Great Midwest Balloon Fest Near Southcreek Office Park

Summer might be ending soon, but that does not mean the exciting summer activities are slowing down. Check out the US Bank Great Midwest Balloon Fest from August 10-12 2012. The event is perfect for kids of all ages, featuring a dazzling display of over 50 Special Shape balloons and corporate balloons. The festival will take place at the Great Mall of the Great Plains in Olathe, Kansas. Here are some of the featured balloon activities for this year:

Balloon Glows – Weather permitting, the giant Special Shape balloons will be inflated on the balloon field starting at 7:15 pm on both Friday and Saturday. 30 minutes later, guests will be treated to the Military Color Guard and National Anthem, followed by the inflation of all the rest of the hot air balloons. They will fire up their propane and be glowing in the twilight for you to enjoy and photograph!
Balloon Competitions – The Hot Air Balloon Competitions will take place at sunrise on both Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting. 50 hot air balloon pilots from all over the country will launch their balloons and fly them into the balloon field from a couple miles away.
Tethered Balloon Rides and Hot Air Balloon Rides – You can either take a tethered balloon ride for $5 a person from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, or take a full 50 minute ride with an experienced pilot.

Take your kids and enjoy this unique summer event!

The area surrounding Southcreek Overland Park offers many fun and family-friendly events. For more information on business space for rent in Overland Park, give us a call at 913-685-4100!

Technology and Office Space in Kansas City

The role of technology is an important aspect of the business world in the 21st century, and your technology preferences could even affect your office lease choices. This does not necessarily mean that high-tech is better. Depending on your business’s specific needs and size, you might want more or less technology. Some companies want all the technology possible from a rental space, so they do not have to worry about their business carrying those costs. Other businesses might be on the other end of the spectrum, and would rather use their own technology to have it under their control, because what they have meets their particular needs and they are happy with where they stand. Either way, here are a few different technological amenities you might have access to in an office rental space:

•   Printing and faxing services
•   A server room
•   High speed internet
•   Teleconferencing
•   A dedicated phone line
•   Virtual assistant services
•   Plug and play opportunities
•   Networks between computers
•   Data storage

When you are looking for an office rental space, don’t forget to ask about and consider the available technology, taking into account both what the rental space has and what your business really needs.

Give one of our commercial real estate brokers in Overland Park a call at 913-685-4100 to find out about technology at Southcreek Office Park. We have spaces that have minimal technology, some that have only copy rooms and server rooms, and some that are completely outfitted with plug and play opportunities! Talk to us about your business’s technology needs so we can help you find the perfect space.