Getting a Better Deal on Commercial Real Estate

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September 03, 2008
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NEWS  THIS WEEK'S TOP STORY Getting a Better Deal on Commercial Real Estate The commercial real estate market is tilting in tenants' favor. Now that you have a little leverage, here's how to make the most of it

Inside: This Week in SmallBiz While commercial real estate hasn't been hit nearly as hard as residential, the market is still probably weaker than it was the last time you shopped for space. If you're looking for a new space or renegotiating the terms of your lease, check out our story for suggestions on how to make the most out of the situation Then read our cover story and tune in to a narrated slide show on how entrepreneurs are using the virtual world Second Life to test business ideas on the cheap. And catch a podcast on controlling litigation costs. Finally, take a look at our staff blog on the news, trends, and ideas that could impact your company. --Nick Leiber SEND FEEDBACK  |  E-MAIL A FRIEND  |  GET RSS  |  NEWSLETTERS

MORE SMALLBIZ NEWS BWSMALLBIZ -- COVER STORY Business, and Startups, in Second Life Whether they're designing eco-homes or a new mass transit system, entrepreneurs are finding virtual worlds provide them with an inexpensive, low-risk launching pad SMART ANSWERS When Should You Quit Your Day Job? Entrepreneurs who hold down a full-time job while bootstrapping a startup must time their departure based on their confidence in the new business SMALL BUSINESS FINANCING Hiring the Right Lawyer When Raising Capital It's expensive but will pay off in pitfalls avoided. Find an attorney you trust and who will pay close attention to your case VIEWPOINT The Wrong Energy Agenda Conservatives should rethink their solution to our energy problems. Instead of more drilling, it's time for small-scale enterprises, argues guest columnist Byron Kennard   SMALLBIZ SLIDE SHOWS SMALL BIZ Slide Show: Fresh Entrepreneurs Welcome to our ongoing series profiling startups from across the country. We'll be asking for your suggestions and adding profiles on a regular basis   SMALLBIZ PODCASTS Controlling Litigation Costs Even the most careful entrepreneurs are likely to become involved in litigation at some point, says attorney Stewart Weltman, a principal in the Weltman Law Firm in Chicago. There are ways small business owners can control legal bills, he says   SMALLBIZ SPECIAL REPORTS Home- Based Business Branding Franchising Raising Capital The ABCs of Business Plans Best U.S. Entrepreneurs 25 and Under SMALLBIZ  BUSINESS DIRECTORY Need Help? Find experts in your area in: Accounting Advertising and Marketing E-Mail Marketing Legal Services Public Relations Search Engine Marketing Web Design Web Marketing Web Hosting  BW MALL   SPONSORED LINKS Applicant Tracking System  Software for Recruiting, Applicant Tracking, Onboarding, Succession Planning, Performance Management Effectively Manage Your Employee Time  Software & hardware allow you to integrate time tracking & payroll. View a 5-min demonstration here. No Hassle Small Business Loans  Instant Business Loan Quotes Up To $150K! Must Process $3K Per Month In Visa/MC. No Startups. Eliminate HR Management Headaches with TriNet  Streamline Your HR organization. Download FREE Info Kit! HR Can Be Affordable, Scalable & Convenient Credit Card Rates Hit 3-Year Lows  Think You Pay Too Much Credit Card Interest? Stop Paying High Monthly Payments. Apply Online Today! Buy a link now! This newsletter is a FREE service provided by BusinessWeek.com. To sign up for other newsletters, cancel delivery, change delivery options or change your e-mail address, please go to our Newsletter Preferences page. If you need other assistance, please contact Customer Service or contact: Wanda Cooper BusinessWeek Customer Rights Communications Data Services 1995 G Avenue Red Oak, IA 51566 Phone: 1-800-635-1200 View our corporate privacy policy here. To learn more about how BusinessWeek.com applies this policy, you can contact our Marketing Department. Copyright 2008, by The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved. Terms of Use | Privacy Notice

BLOG The New Entrepreneur >> Entrepreneurs who took out Alt-A mortgages may be hit when their rates reset—jeopardizing their homes at the same time the soft economy is squeezing their businesses. (The nightmare situation: rising mortgage payments and falling profit margins.) Sam Bornstein, a New Jersey accountant, first gave me a heads up about this a few weeks ago... -- John Tozzi Visit Our Other Blogs Auto Beat Bangalore Tigers Blogspotting Brand New Day Byte of the Apple Economics Unbound European Insight Fine On Media Games, Inc. GreenBiz Hot Property Investing Insights Management IQ New Technology in Asia NEXT: Innovation Tools & Trends NussbaumOnDesign Tech Beat Working Parents POST YOUR OWN COMMENTS ADVERTISEMENT Get Options Trading Ideas for Major Currencies Get currency options trading ideas with Trading Central's free FX Options Trade Alert. See opportunities as they arise, based on technical analysis. SMART ANSWERS KAREN E. KLEIN >> How to Vet a Trade Show Exhibiting at a trade show isn't cheap. To get the most out of one, take the time to research the promoter behind it and talk with previous attendees SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO KAREN >   VIEWPOINT CARMINE GALLO >> Five Magic Words to Boost Morale Companies like Ritz-Carlton and Starbucks find "I would like your opinion" can go far by staying in touch with staff and customers MORE CARMINE GALLO COLUMNS >>   Advertisement   Reader Poll: Special Issue Trouble at the office? In surveys, blogs, polls, and social media, BusinessWeek collaborated with readers to identify problems at work. Together we found answers.   Today's Tip Sales & Marketing If you've never systematically surveyed customers' views on your organization, you probably don't know what they are. We all need customer feedback to assess the performance of our salespeople, the quality of our products, and the value of our services... --Gene Siciliano, President, Western Management Associates READ MORE >   IN YOUR FACE: ASK THE ETHICS GUY Reader Marilyn B. Writes: "The unfortunate reality in the business/corporate world is that people can find reasons to 'justify' unethical behavior. Unfortunately, most people will not call them on it." Tell Us: Would You Call Out a Colleague Over Ethics? >   BusinessWeek has teamed with J.D. Power and Associates to let you compare customer satisfaction and product quality ratings. Automobiles Cable/Satellite Providers Consumer Electronics Copiers Digital Cameras TVs Insurance Auto Insurance Collision Repair (Auto Insurance) Home Insurance Financial Services Full-Service Investing Mortage Service Online Trading Telephone/Wireless All-Distance Phone Providers Wireless Service Internet Service Providers   Advertisement   VIDEO VIEWS >> Home Heating Oil The recent drop in oil prices is welcome news, but homeowners still face dramatically higher heating bills this winter. We'll look at whether they should prepay and lock in prices now.     SUBSCRIBE TO BUSINESSWEEK SmallBiz Print Table of Contents Get SmallBiz Free With Your Subscription To BusinessWeek Subscribe Now Customer Service SMALLBIZ FREE ONLINE COURSES Instructor-led classes on the latest topics for registered BusinessWeek users. Sign up now • The Wireless Mobile Office • Designing and Equipping Your Home Office • Setting Up a Wireless Home Network • Start-Up Basics for the First-Time Entrepreneur • Writing a High-Impact Business Plan • Raising Capital for Your Small Business