If I try to lease a space that's been on the market awhile am I in a strong bargaining position?

Maybe. Commercial real estate owners are generally more financially sound than say, a single family home owner whose home may not have sold yet. Some landlords are hungrier than others. Other landlords are financially solid and will wait to get their price. Sometimes you’ll see a sign up on property for months but it’s already leased. The landlord is just using to the sign to generate leads that he can put into other properties he owns. Other times, the lender on a property may not allow the landlord to offer a lower rate because that could affect the bank’s pro-forma financial statement that went with the original loan. In short, it’s worth a try but no guarantee.

Beau Knows Biz is an informative weekly Question and Answer column on Page A2 of the Gainesville Sun newspaper. Beau answers questions about businesses, project developments, general commercial real estate, and all the related who, what, when, where, why, and how's of local commerce. To see other questions answered or to submit one of your own, visit Beau Knows Biz