Owning a shopping center isn’t just about leasing space—it’s about managing hundreds of small details that protect your asset and keep tenants happy. Over the years, I’ve learned that simple operational habits can make a huge difference. For example, number your light poles. It sounds minor, but when a tenant calls about a light being out, you can tell your electrician exactly which pole needs repair. We also do weekly light checks because lighting isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about safety and liability. Another one: I don’t sweep parking lots. Instead, I hire a porter to walk the property and pick up trash, cigarette butts, and debris. For most neighborhood centers, that’s far more effective than sweeping a mostly empty lot. I’m also big on first impressions. Bright flowers at the entrances and near pylon signs catch the attention of drivers and help the center stand out on busy streets. When it comes to leasing, I never use lockboxes on vacant spaces. If someone wants to tour the property, I want to be there. It allows me to control the experience and answer questions in real time. Finally, every owner should maintain a vendor list—electricians, landscapers, roofers, maintenance crews—both in your

One of the most overlooked value drivers in a shopping center is signage. If your tenants aren’t visible, they’re not getting traffic – and if they’re not getting traffic, they won’t stay long. First, let’s talk about pylon signs. I’m a big believer in maximizing them. I want as many tenants on that sign as possible (without making it look cluttered). The anchor might get two panels, but I try to create opportunities for smaller tenants too. If demand exceeds space, I’ll actually sell pylon spots for a one-year term so multiple tenants can rotate through the exposure. That creates value and fairness. Second, I’m very particular about how signs look. I require channel letter signs mounted directly to the façade – no raceways. Raceway signs collect debris, look cheap, and drag down the visual quality of the center. Channel letters look cleaner, more professional, and elevate the property. And here’s a trick many landlords miss: reverse lettering. I prefer white letters on a dark background because they pop from the road. Visibility matters. I also encourage tenants to simplify their message. Instead of “Smith Nail & Spa,” just say “Nails.” Customers driving by care more about what you do

When a tenant moves out and leaves a space looking rough, many landlords immediately think: Let’s vanilla shell it. But before you spend thousands fixing up a space, slow down and test the market first. My rule? Give it about 90 days. List the space exactly as it is and start showing it. If it’s a former Subway, call it a “former Subway.” Everyone knows what that looks like, and some prospects won’t care because they’re planning to gut it anyway. If a tenant is willing to take the space as-is, you may save yourself a lot of money. And if they want you to fix it? That’s a negotiation. You can always say, “If you want it cleaned up and renovated, the rent will be higher.” Now, if you’ve shown the space 15–20 times and every prospect complains about the condition, that’s your signal. At that point, investing in repairs or creating a vanilla shell might make sense to help the deal get across the finish line. This same strategy applies when you have multiple rough spaces. Don’t fix them all at once. If you have ten ugly vacancies, maybe you vanilla shell two—just enough to create spec spaces

Hiring a third-party leasing firm doesn’t mean you go hands-off. If you own a shopping center, you still need visibility into what’s happening at your property – and that starts with the right reporting. At a minimum, your listing agreement should require a monthly leasing activity report. That report should show every prospect, every tour, and – most importantly – how the lead was generated. Was it canvassing? A sign call? A tenant rep broker? Social media? This tells you whether your leasing agent is actually prospecting or just waiting for deals to fall in their lap. Now here’s the mistake many owners make: they schedule endless calls to review the report. Don’t do that. Your agent’s job is to be out in the market generating leads – not sitting on the phone with you every week. If you have questions, send an email and set up a call only when necessary. The same principle applies to property management. You should receive regular reporting like rent rolls, financials, delinquency reports, renewal timelines, HVAC reports, and a narrative summary of the property. These reports help you “see” the asset even if you’re not physically there. Rockstar Tip:Review the reports, visit the