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Charleston is growing and expanding faster than any other time in its history. With the metropolitan area now stretched across three counties and pockets of our historical city continually evolving, it can be hard to keep track. 

In this new series, we’ll be taking a look at the areas that are changing the most. We’ll look at recent developments and upcoming projects that are shaping areas of our community as well as provide insight into the people living and working in each area and the overall ambiance each neighborhood embodies. Before we dive in over the next few months, here’s a quick summary to give you the lay of the land (pun intended):

• Upper Peninsula – Ask anyone who’s lived...

You’ve searched for the perfect commercial investment space, gone through the necessary steps to purchase it, and suffered through lengthy renovations and building improvements. After months of hard work and stress, it can be tempting to fill your building with the first tenants that come along, but that could be a costly mistake.

When tenants sign a lease with you, you’re agreeing to an ongoing mutual relationship that will hopefully last for many years. Tenants that are responsible and profitable will be the key to your success, but it’s also important to find tenants that are a good fit for your space so that the arrangement is in the best interest of everyone involved.  

Keep these ...

Charleston is full of wonderfully preserved historic buildings and homes. The decades of history shine through many parts of the city through colors, textures, and clear signs of architecture from a different time. While our city works tirelessly to preserve the rich past, time marches on, and the city must also adapt and change to meet the needs of its community and appeal to visitors.

Downtown is home to several historical and iconic commercial spaces. They blend seamlessly with the cobblestone streets and bustling restaurants and shops. If you aren’t looking for them, they can be easily missed – but not because they are not meaningful – they merely have been in place for so long they ...

As we look toward the year ahead, we’re taking a look at six trends we expect to shape the Lowcountry commercial real estate market in 2019.  

• E-Commerce Influence. As the buying and selling of consumer products moves online and customers continue to expect expedited shipping, the need for warehouse fulfillment centers will continue to rise in 2019. E-commerce behemoth Amazon has plans to open a 17,236 square-foot warehouse across from the Exchange Park Fairgrounds in Ladson, and we expect similar operations from various online retailer to pop up around the area.
  
  
• Reinvestment in Retail. We talked in another blog post about the many benefits that come with a physical storefront in the ...

Simply Commercial is excited to welcome Sarah Tamsberg to the team! An 11th generation Charlestonian, Sarah grew up around the family business of real estate investment and development and is eager to jump in and start helping her clients reach their real estate investment goals.

Sarah started her career in design as a consultant helping clients transform their homes into functional and beautiful spaces. During this time, she discovered her passion for creating and maintaining long-term relationships with clients and was drawn back to real estate.

Sarah is an innovative and tenacious problem solver. She enjoys assisting clients new to real estate investing and has a special talent for h...

In case you missed our first installment of CRE 101 – check it out here. Each post in this ongoing series covers basic topics to help you understand the world of Commercial Real Estate (CRE). We’re starting with some basic terminology, so you won’t get hung up on the lingo as you learn along the way. 

In Part 2, we’re still focused on broad and basic terms that relate to CRE overall. Be on the lookout in the coming weeks for posts that will dive into terms specific to office buildings, retail space and more.

• Cash and Cash Return (AKA ROI). Cash and cash return is also known as your return on investment and the reason you’re probably interested in CRE investments. This number represent...

We realize decoding the Commercial Real Estate (CRE) industry can be overwhelming and confusing – that’s why you should always hire an experienced commercial agent to assist you along the way. We’re also excited to offer a new blog series called CRE101, where we’ll be covering basic topics to help you understand the ins and outs of our world. Whether you are just starting out or are a seasoned investor, there will be something for everyone.

With a plethora of acronyms and convoluted phrases making up the CRE dictionary, we’ve compiled a list of need-to-know terms and broken down exactly what each means.

To make it easier to read, we’re breaking it down into a few posts starting the broa...

Although the Great Recession is nearly a decade behind us, we understand how years of negative industry press and a fluctuating economy can be nerve-wracking. At Simply Commercial, we believe in real estate – we invest in it and build our livelihood around it. We know there will be ups and downs, but we have faith in the long game and work every day to help our clients make smart investment decisions that will serve them and their families well for many years to come.

We understand the trepidation that comes with any significant investment, but if you’re considering a commercial property, we can help every step of the way and we’ve rounded up a short list of the best reasons to invest in...

Real estate has been a mainstay for investors for decades for many good reasons. With an excellent rate of return, substantial tax advantages and relatively low risk, investing in property can be an exceptional choice for those looking to build wealth. Beyond investing through a purchase of your own home, you may be looking to diversify your portfolio by purchasing additional property.

Real estate investments are either considered to be residential, which includes single-family homes and multi-family properties such as fourplexes and apartment buildings, or commercial, which can range from shopping centers and offices to warehouses and manufacturing space.  Each has its pros and cons, an...

Whether you are looking for an office that will promote happiness and productivity for your employees or are seeking a chic retail spot that will give off all the right vibes to your customers, choosing a commercial space to lease is a big decision and one that you should consider carefully.

Moving is time-consuming and can be expensive, especially if you do renovations or make any custom modifications. You don’t want to move in, only to realize the space isn’t quite right for your business.

Here are 6 simple steps to help you find the best space that will help your business flourish:

1. Hire a commercial real estate agent. You are looking for a gem, and you may need some help. A local ...

Finalizing the purchase of a commercial property is just the first step in managing your new investment. If you are up for the task of signing leases, maintaining relationships with your tenants, and keeping the property in tip-top shape, you may be able to serve as your own property manager. If all that sounds like a lot of work, you may want to consider hiring a professional to ensure your new asset is running smoothly. What exactly can a property manager take off your plate?

• Targeted marketing to ensure you’re leasing at full potential to tenants that make sense for your space 
• Handling the details of lease agreements and renewals
• Collecting monthly rent from tenants
• Managing pro...

It can be hard to keep up with the ongoing stream of retail deaths – Toys R Us being the most recent company to fall victim to the e-commerce movement. In today’s world, it can be challenging for retailers to compete with the variety of merchandise and discounts available online. Add to that free fast shipping and the ability to shop from the comfort of your home and we definitely get the appeal. But as a company dedicated to physical spaces, we still see the value in having a brick and mortar location. If the overwhelming trend toward cyberspace has you questioning your businesses’ viability in the real world, here are a few reasons to still consider setting up an actual shop.

• A Local...

When we think of commercial real estate spaces, visions of sleek office buildings and roadside strip malls spring to mind. But industrial spaces, while not as glamorous, can prove lucrative as they are often less expensive to own and operate than other commercial investments.

South Carolina is quickly becoming an industrial hub and the growth in this sector will only continue. For the investor experienced with other forms of commercial properties, adding industrial or manufacturing space to a portfolio can make a lot of sense. In the Lowcountry, we expect increased industrial activity throughout the region resulting in lower vacancy and higher rental rates, creating a promising outlook f...

Charleston was recently named the Best City in America for the sixth straight year by Travel + Leisure. From cobblestone streets, moss-draped trees, and horse-drawn carriages to the decades of architecture and surrounding waterfront views, it’s easy to see why our city is beloved by locals and tourists.

History is everywhere you turn and the various buildings, many more than a century old, each tell a story. Like the city they are built on, these buildings exude an undeniable charm. Much like living in an older home, running a business in a historic building comes with a unique set of pros and cons that should be considered when searching for commercial space to set up shop.

 Pros

• Lo...

You’ve found the ideal investment property, finished the necessary renovations, and filled the space with tenants. You’re finally seeing the results of your investment, but one thing that can put a halt to your earnings is constant turnover. Missed income while a space sits vacant and any changes or improvements that will need to be done between tenants can eat away at your profits quickly.

There are some things beyond your control, such as a business not profiting or a company needing a larger space that you aren’t able to accommodate. There are also a few simple things you can do to keep your tenants happy for the long-run. While some of these may cost you upfront, you’ll be better for...

Navigating the complexities of buying, selling, or leasing commercial real estate can be overwhelming. Having an experienced and strategic agent working to help you make smart decisions and avoid common pitfalls along the way will ensure you make the best possible business decisions.

Property owners, prospective buyers, and even potential tenants can quickly do an online search for brokers in their area and hire someone to represent them, but this might not be the smartest move. By taking the time to find and hire an agent with the right experience, character, and professional drive, you’ll be making a more intelligent decision for your future transactions.

Of course, you want someone...