Resources

Here you’ll find a growing list of free documents, worksheets, videos, blogs, and other content to help your business succeed in the Metro Denver market. If you have feedback or recommendations on what you’d like to see included here, please send us an e-mail at info@columncommercial.com. Thank you!

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Absorption

The change in occupied space from period to period.

Helps measure how much new space was taken up during the quarter. Vacancy measures how much is vacant, but this can be impacted by new construction, buildings taken off the market, etc. Absorption measures the growth in used space.

Anchor

A major tenant in a retail center.

The anchor tenant sets the tone for the entire development and determines what type of retailers will be interested in the center. They typically pay far lower rent on a per square foot basis, and may also have some say in what else happens in the center. Department stores, grocery stores, etc. are often anchors.

As-Is / As-Built

The space will be leased exactly the way it is now, the landlord won’t fund any improvements.

This means a tenant will have to pay to make any additional changes to the space that they need. Usually means either the space is new and finished to a level that is acceptable but may need extra amenities, OR that a previous tenant built out the space and the landlord is not willing to renovate it. Changes will be up to the leasing company.

Asking Rent

The amount of rent that a landlord is advertising for a space. Quoted as the dollars per square foot per year.

Helps narrow down initial tenant options for space. They may negotiate this rent downwards from the asking rate.

Base Year

The base amount of operating expenses a tenant is expected to pay. Usually, the amount in the year that the lease is signed. These are the expenses covered by the full service lease.

A tenant in a full service lease may still have to pay for their share of any increasing expenses over the rate in the year that they signed. Protects the landlord in case energy costs, etc. skyrocket.

Big Box

A stand-alone building that usually sells one type of item

Examples are Best Buy, Home Depot, Sam’s Club, etc. These types of stores locate near each other in power centers.

Buildout

The amount of finish a space has. A shell space has drywall and carpet, for instance. A more extensive buildout would have some offices built in, perhaps cubes, a reception desk, etc.

The amount of buildout determines how soon the space can be moved into. Also, some users like higher levels of finish, and others just want usable space.

Cap Rate

Stands for capitalization rate. This number helps a potential buyer determine the amount of return they will see for a given investment.

Using the cap rate allows buyers to compare different investments. Only applies to investment properties.

Certificate of Occupancy

Permission by the government/building inspector to have tenants move into the building.

When a new building is completed, the inspector must certify it as safe and up to code.

Class A, B, C

Relative classification of office buildings in terms of finish, amenities and physical attributes.

A Class A building will cost more, but will also offer a tenant some increased efficiencies including upgraded wiring, fiber optics, lobbies, etc. Class A properties also have nicer lobbies and shared areas.

Common Area Factor

The common areas of a building are those used by all tenants, such as a lobby, elevator, or hallway. The factor represents the ratio of common areas to total building square footage.

The number is used to calculate how much a tenant will pay for their share of a building’s upkeep. Tenants occupying more square feet will pay a larger proportion of the common area factor.

Concessions

Discounts given to tenants wither as money off on a lease or free rent, paying moving expenses, etc.

A part of the lease package that helps a tenant compare different lease options. Some concessions are more useful to tenants than others, either by shifting costs farther in the future or paying for large up front expenses.

Condominium

A type of ownership of individual units in a multi-unit structure. Can be a suite, a floor, or a section of a building.

Offer an opportunity for companies to own their space without having to purchase a whole building or deal with management issues.

Contiguous Space

This means two spaces are adjacent to each other on the same floor or floors directly above or below.

Tenants looking for various sizes of space can look for space that is contiguous in the building – they will occupy adjacent floors in the building. Having floors not next to each other is inefficient. This shows a tenant what blocks in a building can be added together or divided to make the necessary square feet for them to move in.

Contingencies

These are items that have to be met, changed, or remedied in order for a deal to close.

Examples could include new roof, site survey, proof of insurance, inspection, escrow money, etc.

Contract Rent

Amount of rent a tenant pays their first year, or the first period if other than a year.

The contract rent is the base rent, and escalations (rent increases) are added to this number each year (or period).

Core Factor / Load Factor

The amount of the building that is dedicated to shared areas such as lobbies, elevators, etc.

Important to know, as tenants also pay for their share of common space in addition to the space they lease.

Divisible Minimum / Maximum

The smallest and largest sizes that a space can be made into.

A large space may be able to be broken down into several smaller spaces so it could accommodate several smaller users or one large user.

Effective Rate

The actual amount of rent paid on average per year.

This amount takes into account any free rent, changing rent amounts, and tenant improvements into one uniform measure of cost.

End Cap

The store at the corner of a strip mall type development.

These end units often have two walls of glass instead of just one and therefore have more visibility to customers and are more attractive

Estoppel

A signed statement that summarizes the terms of the lease. Typically executed by tenant.

Typically required by a lender when a building is being sold or refinanced. A lender has to have signatures from all the tenants that the lease terms are accurate in order to finance a loan.

Hard Corner

At an intersection, the hard corner is the lot that is right at the corner, with one edge on each road.

The hard corner is the most desirable location for retailers. It has the best visibility and the best access for customers.

In-Line Space

Refers to space that is in a strip center, or side by side in a center fronting the parking lot or street (as opposed to an interior mall space or stand-alone building).

Usually attracts small tenants who benefit from proximity with other tenants.

Letter of Intent

A written statement saying that two parties are negotiating an agreement for a space in the building. It might be signed by both parties, indicating that the agreement will go forward with provisions, or just by one party, when they are indicating that they would accept an offer based on a certain term.

Usually, the step that occurs before the lease is actually signed. This is where a landlord offers terms to a tenant, or a tenant tentatively agrees to terms of lease or sale.

Net Operating Income (NOI)

Income that a landlord gets from a property after paying expenses.

Allows investors to compare different investments based on the actual dollars returned.

Net Present Value (NPV)

The total cost or gain of something (a lease term, a building hold period) when compared over the same period of time

Makes it possible to compare the relevant cost or gain from two different lease terms, two different sales scenarios that may have different time frames. Takes into account the future sales gains or costs of the deal as well as the costs now and costs in between.

Parking Ratio

The number of parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of office space.

Determines how many employees can park on-site.

Plain Vanilla Shell

A retailing term for a new space that comes without any build-out, and the retailer will add ceiling, carpet, and amenities.

If a space is a plain vanilla shell, it will take longer to build out and cost more, but will be customized to the needs of the tenant.

Power Center

A type of shopping center made up of a lot of single item stores.

These are the types of shopping centers with PetsMart, Staples, Best Buy, etc. They are a relatively new type of retail center and often are located near existing malls.

Rent Roll

List of all tenants in a building and when all of their leases expire. Usually includes lease length, rates, etc.

Useful for investors looking at a building’s financial status. Also useful as brokers look at a building for cold calling.

Request for Proposal

A document sent out to various landlords or owners, inviting them to submit their best offer of a lease rate and terms for space the tenant wants to lease.

Allows a tenant to see what various buildings are willing to offer. Also lets the tenant ask about specific options.

Sale – Lease Back

When a company sells their building to an investor and then signs a long-term lease for the space, providing income for the investor.

A company that owns a building may have a good portion of their money tied up in real estate. Selling the building and leasing it back can allow them to use more of their money to expand their business and can also provide tax benefits.

Strip Center

A shopping center where stores are all in a line, with parking in front. Typical of a grocery store center.

Usually occupied by stores that want easy access and have customers visit for short periods.

Tenant Improvements

The amount of money given to a company to improve the space.

This money is used to repaint or carpet, add offices, or make any other improvements to the space. The landlord will grant a certain amount of tenant improvement dollars in the lease, additional dollars desired by the tenant for extra touches can be added into the lease.

Transit-Oriented Development

A development that is near a light rail station.

Developments like this are usually mixed-use and encourage people to walk, bike, and take the train more than drive.

Triple Net Lease (NNN)

A lease that represents only the rent on the space. The utilities, taxes, etc. are paid separately by the tenant.

This is more common in industrial properties because industrial companies may spend hugely different amounts for power, in sales tax, etc. depending on what they do.

Vacancy Rate

The percentage of space that is vacant – calculated by dividing vacant space by total square feet.

Used in comparing various markets, vacancy is a good measure of how much relative space is available in a submarket.

Warehouse/Distribution

These are buildings where things are stored to be distributed elsewhere.

There are users that need this space, like furniture companies who need extra storage, and there are also companies that manage the storage of goods that are being transported.

Yard

The amount of lot area not covered by a building or parking for the building.

Many industrial users need extra yard space to store vehicles, products, or raw materials. Some buildings do not offer any additional yard space beyond parking, and some may have zoning regulations that prohibit outdoor storage.

Zoning

Industrial zoning is usually I-0, I-1, I-2, or I-3. The higher the number, the dirtier the industry that can be done on the site.

A manufacturer of toxic substances or intensive substances, or painter, etc. will need higher zoning to be able to operate in a given building.

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BOMA

Building Owners and Managers Association

BOV

Broker’s Opinion of Value

BPO

Broker’s Price Option (see also BOV)

CCIM

Certified Commercial Investment Member

DMCAR

Denver Metro Commercial Association of Realtors

ESFR

Early Suppression Fast Response

FAR

Floor Area Ratio

FS or FSG

Full Service, or Full Service Gross

FSBO

For Sale by Owner

GLA

Gross Leasable Area

HVAC

Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning

ICSC

International Council of Shopping Centers

IRR

Internal Rate of Return

LOI

Letter of Intent

MLS

Multiple Listing Service

NAIOP

National Association of Industrial and Office Properties

NAR

National Association of Realtors

NNN

Triple Net Lease

NOI

Net Operating Income

NPV

Net Present Value

PSF

Per Square Foot

REIT

Real Estate Investment Trust

RFP

Request for Proposal

RSF

Rentable Square Footage

SDR

Standard Direct Rate

SF

Square Foot or Square Feet

SIOR

Society of Industrial and Office Realtors

TI

Tenant Improvements or Tenant Improvement Allowance

TOD

Transit Oriented Development

YTD

Year to Date

Use this free Excel spreadsheet to calculate the amount of square footage you'll need in your next office space. Access and download it now at the link below. Once downloaded you can fully customize it to fit your exact needs.

Use this free worksheet to start planning the requirements for your next office space. Email us at info@columncommercial.com if you any help in using the worksheet.

The link below will take you directly to the Real Estate Division of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. There you can find a wide range of official information and downloadable forms used in the real estate process. DORA

Use this free moving checklist to help ensure your next move goes as smoothly as possible.

Access and download our complete list of preferred vendors by clicking on the link below. We update this on a regular basis, so check back often to download the latest version.

Landlord Concessions

Q: "What sort of landlord concessions are available? Click here to find out.

Choosing the Right Broker

Q: "How do I choose the right broker?" Click here to find out.

Critical Real Estate Requirements

Q: "What are some critical requirements that I may not be thinking of? Click here to find out.

Important Steps in the Real Estate Process

Q: "What are all the steps I need to pay attention to in the real estate process? Click here to find out.

Square-footage Requirements

Q: "How many square feet do I need for my business?" Click here to find out.