Leasing Tip of the Day: The Retail Leasing Agent’s Field Guide

The Retail Leasing Agent’s Field Guide: Scouting Your Retail Territory

As a leasing agent, you know your success depends on
intimately understanding your property’s retail territory.

But aimlessly driving the area without a plan is inefficient.

Use this field guide to strategically scout your local market and gain valuable leasing intel.

Start by charting destinations – examine online maps and property
flyers to spot regional malls, big box centers, and grocery plazas near your site.
Note which major tenants and anchors are present. Then set out to explore these hubs in person,
assessing tenant mix, visibility, access, parking, and vacancy.

Along the way, observe surrounding strip centers, freestanding retail,
flex space, and mixed-use developments. Catalog who’s leasing there, property condition, and
ease of access. Look for “Coming Soon” and “Going out of Business” signs which indicate market changes.
Search for leasing agent contacts and capture key details.

As you drive, picture your property’s place in the local retail ecosystem.
Make note of any new construction, roadwork, or traffic pattern changes.
Absorb granular details that impact value and demand.

Initially cast a wide net – you’ll narrow your focus to prime
competitors later. The goal is gathering raw intel to inform leasing strategy.

Purposeful scouting gives you insider knowledge no online search provides.
Follow this field guide to traverse your retail territory skillfully.
The market insights you uncover will pay dividends for years to come.