Management Enterprises’ President published in Journal of Property Management

Louis Danzico, president of Management Enterprises, has written a recently available whitepaper called “Housing the New Elderly: renovating Geneva House, an apartment building for the aged,” published in the Journal of Property Management and now available from Amazon.com

This digital document is an article from Journal of Property Management, published by Institute of Real Estate Management on July 1, 1992. The length of the article is 2069 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Tips for First-Time Office Renters

So What’s Your Plan?

Are you a first time renter and currently looking for office space?   Here are some helpful tips on how it works.

Many businesses begin operations from the owner’s home. Although it may constitute a zoning violation to operate a business in a residential district, a small home business carefully operated is a good starting point.

A new business should have a business plan. Most Chambers of Commerce are associated with a Business Development Centers and the Small Business Administration.  The SBA. will assist you in developing a business plan which can be very helpful.  The cost is minimal.  Once the business is up and running or if the nature of the business demands an office, the hunt for appropriate office space begins.

Location, location…

If you are a new business, a well known address will add credibility to your company. Could any business located in Rockefeller Center be bad? An exaggeration of course, but you get the idea. If your an established business, you probably are already well known, so location is less critical, but not unimportant.

Office buildings are classified in the industry as either A, B, or C.  In between are the + and – of each category.  Class A is the top notch best building with all the modern amenities.  Class B might be older building maintained in first class condition.  Class C buildings are those that either have not been well maintained or may be so old as to be functionally obsolete.

The location for your business depends on local custom. In small cities, retail is always first floor and offices are usually upper story, although they can be first floor if properly done.  Service businesses, which deal with the public only by phone, fax or email, can be on a lower floor, particularly if there is a service component such as a computer repair shop.  If the service business deals with the public, it should have a street presence.

If your business does not involve customers coming to your office, you can select the building that offers the best package at the lowest price.  However, make sure that the life safety systems (sprinkler, smoke and heat detectors, functional stairwells) are all in place and operating.

Talk to a few tenants in the building and get a sense of how operations are done.   Look for an owner office on site or professional management by a CPM (Certified Property Manager) or AMO (Accredited Management Organization) firm.

The next step is space planning.  Think about the number of rooms you need, how the room occupants interact with one another and major office equipment.  A competent building manager will be able to create an office design  based on your needs.

Negotiating the lease.  Lease rates are based on the operating needs of the building and the improvements or changes you require to make the available space into your office.  Depending on the length of the lease and required improvements, you may be asked to contribute some funds to the contract.

First Things First

Does the building have curb appeal? Does it present an image complementary to your business.Is it in the right location for your business. Lawyers traditionally want to be close to the courthouse, doctors want to be near a hospital, and so on.

Does the building offer the amenities you need; parking, high-speed Internet?.  How is maintenance handled. Is there on site staff? How about after hours emergencies?  How is management handled. Is there a management company, or is it a Mom and Pop operation (not necessarily bad.)

Your office/store

Can the space be modified to suit your needs; walls moved, rooms created?   Will management prepare a plan of the finished space. Will they come to your office to evaluate your operation, furniture and equipment and create a plan to fit you.

Who will pay for the renovations?

Can you select paint and carpet?

The Documents

What is the length of the lease?  Are their charges other than monthly rent?  How are rent changes implemented?  Talk to the existing building tenants if possible. They will provide you with the best references.

A long lease precludes the possibility that you will be asked to move.  At the same time, a new business may want to have an out during the first year of the lease in the event that things don’t go as planned.

Professional Arts Building

The Scranton Professional Arts Building, located at 327 North Washington Avenue, Scranton, is home to professionals and services in a convenient, easy to access location. A multi-level garage adjacent to the building provides quick auto parking. The Lackawanna County (COLTS) bus stops on the block.

High caliber, professional maintenance service is available immediately. And quick access to city hospitals minimize travel time for the physician.

Property Features

• On-site parking
• Professionally managed
• Adjacent to the Scranton Parking Authority garage
• One block from post office
• One block from County Courthouse
• Across from City Hall
• Five restaurants on the block
• Two blocks from Commonwealth Medical College

Podiatric Office Available for Rent

View Senior HIgh-Rise Near Podiatric Office in a larger map

Additional Photos

Location

327 North Washington Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503
(570) 346-4649
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Clay Avenue Apartments

Classic pre-war neo-gothic building.  Large apartments with decorative woodwork and leaded glass windows. Elevator, laundry, storage, garage parking.

Property Features

• Unique Style
• Parking garage

Apartment Styles

• Efficiency
• One Bedroom, one bath with kitchen-dinette
• One bedroom, one bath with formal dining room
• One bedroom, two bath with formal dining room and guest/hobby room
• Two Bedroom, one bath, kitchen-dinette
• Two Bedroom, two bath, living room/dining room
• Two bedroom, two bath with formal dining room and guest room

Additional Photos

Location

520 Clay Avenue, Scranton, PA 18510
(570) 346-2522
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Webster Towers

Senior Living Community of one and two bedroom apartments. More than an apartment, Webster Towers offers companionship with contemporaries. A large community room is always buzzing with activity. Frequent social activity is available for those who wish to partake.

Apartments are carpeted and have stove and refrigerator. Rent is based on income but there are no income or asset limits. All may apply. Utilities are included with the rent and heat is under your control. Air conditioning is provided. Cable TV and on-site parking are available. Public transportation is available to take you to all parts of the city.

Property Features

• Large Community Room
• Computer Room open to all residents
• On site parking
• Laundry Rooms on each floor
• Heat included in rent

Room Dimensions

• Kitchen – 18×12
• Family Room – 25×18
• Living Room – 18×18
• Dining Room – 14×16
• Master Bedroom – 24×20

Additional Photos

Location

500 North Webster Avenue, Scranton, PA 18510
(570) 342-7086
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Amos Towers

One and two bedroom apartments in an independent living community for over age 62 and some persons requiring accessibility features. Close to downtown. On-site parking, appliances, individual heat and air conditioning. Community rooms.

Optional activities include partial meal program and planned activities. Caring supportive atmosphere.

Internet room with available computers, open to all residents and included in the rent.

Property Features

• On-site parking available
• Utilities included in rent
• On-site computer room with internet access
• Community room with library

Room Dimensions

• Kitchen – 18×12
• Family Room – 25×18
• Living Room – 18×18
• Dining Room – 14×16
• Master Bedroom – 24×20

Additional Photos

Coming soon
Location
525 Jefferson Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503
(570) 347-6551
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