Everyone says you need a broker for downtown office space, but I found a different way

I needed a small office for my business in the Capitol Park area last year, and every single person told me to just hire a broker. Instead, I spent two weeks walking the district and directly calling the property management numbers on the front doors of buildings that looked good. I found a 750 sq ft spot on State Street that wasn't even listed online yet. The landlord was so surprised by the direct approach he gave me a rate under $18 per square foot. Has anyone else had luck going around the usual channels, or did I just get lucky?

3 comments

3 Comments

grantf7311d ago

Yeah, but you wasted two weeks of your own time.

the_simon11d ago

Seriously, two weeks of walking around and cold calling doors? That sounds like a second job. Most people just need a place to sign some papers and get the keys, not run a full time detective operation. You got a good deal, but was all that legwork really worth the few bucks you saved? Feels like you just got lucky with a landlord who was bored that day.

cole99411d ago

A buddy of mine did the same thing and found a place for half the usual rent. Simon's right that it's a lot of work, but some people would rather walk for two weeks than pay for two years.