Want the inside scoop on who’s opening, expanding, or quietly crushing it in a small town? Hook up with the top residential real estate agent. No joke—they’re the unsung heroes of market intel. In markets under 150,000 people, residential agents often are the community. They know the businesses, the buzz, and sometimes… they’re married to the mayor! Here’s how to make the magic happen:✅ Identify the top residential agent in town.✅ Take them to coffee and let them know you’ll pay a referral fee—about $0.50 per square foot is fair in most markets.✅ Make it EASY. Tell them: “You bring me the lead, I’ll do the deal—and you still get paid.” Yes, residential agents speak a different real estate language, but with the right approach, this partnership can be pure gold. Think about it: they’re out touring with business owners looking for homes… who might also be looking for a space to open their next location. Or they’re selling to investors who want to open something in your center. So don’t sleep on this! Residential rockstars can help you lease space, grow your network, and stay plugged into the pulse of the market. Go find your “mayor” and make a

In retail leasing, your competition is NOT your enemy—in fact, they might just be your next best source of leads. The stronger your market performs as a whole, the higher the rents for everyone. So why not make friends with your fellow leasing agents? Here’s how: Host or join a quarterly meetup with other leasing pros in your area. Coffee, breakfast, lunch, happy hour—your choice. Just make it consistent and collaborative.Call it something fun! Think: Retail Leasing Lunch Bunch, Coffee with the Competition, or The Competitive Cocktailers.Share intel. Talk rent comps, pass-throughs, square footages, availabilities, challenges, and even exclusives (trust me—your “no-go” tenant may be their next best deal). Can’t find a group to join? Even better—start one! Just look at the leasing signs in your market, pick up the phone, and invite the agent for coffee. And if they don’t call back? Sweeten the invite. Let them know you’ve got a market study to share, or maybe even a few leads they can’t pursue but you can. Remember: Sharing = Karma. Good vibes build great relationships—and strong relationships lease space. Let’s lift each other up and raise those rents. One cup of coffee (or cocktail) at a time. Cheers!