Before you decide which tenant to put where, you need to know exactly what you’re working with—and that means it’s time for a physical audit of your property. This is where Rockstar leasing starts. Walk every vacancy and take detailed notes:✔️ Dimensions (count ceiling tiles to estimate depth)✔️ Condition of the space (good, fair, or yikes)✔️ Ceiling height (and yes—use a broom to lift those tiles!)✔️ Is there gas? What’s the ampage? HVAC working?✔️ ADA compliance? Parking? Signage rules? You’re not just listing spaces—you’re learning what uses make sense based on location and visibility. End caps and outparcels? Think impulse tenants like ice cream or fast casual. Interior elbows? Perfect for destination tenants like karate studios or medical offices. And don’t forget to look at the big picture:– Can large spaces be split?– Can small ones be combined?– Who’s doing well and might want to expand?– Who’s weak and coming up for renewal next to a vacancy? The more you know, the smarter your leasing strategy becomes. Get out there, take notes, and know your property like the back of your hand. Rockstar status starts with the walkthrough.

You’ve done your market study. You’re reading your leases. Now it’s time to get to know your most important resource—your tenants. Visit every business in your center. Eat at the restaurants. Chat with the stylists. Shop in the boutiques. Introduce yourself and ask, “How’s business? What do you need? How can I help?” ROCKSTAR TIP: Go on different days and times to get a feel for the traffic patterns. Tuesdays at 10AM look very different than Saturdays at 6PM! Take notes (and let them know you’re not texting your bestie). Ask about sales if they don’t report them. And definitely ask who they think would be a great fit for the center—you’ll be surprised what you learn. Oh—and find The Mayor. Every center has one: the unofficial leader of the tenant crew. Win them over, and life gets easier. (Just know they can be… a handful. Stay charming!) Bonus Rockstar Move: Loop in your property manager. Let them know you’re making rounds, and don’t throw them under the bus—EVER. Collaborate, follow up, and treat them like gold. Property managers hold the keys to the behind-the-scenes stuff you won’t see in a site plan. Plus, they’ve got the scoop. A little

Want to level up faster than your peers? Learn the language of retail real estate—and the best place to start is your own lease files. Most agents fake their way through lease lingo (spoiler alert: not a great long-term plan). A lease isn’t just paperwork—it’s the playbook for every negotiation, every deal, and every dollar. Here’s what I do with my rookies: we set aside one hour a week to read our leases—out loud, together. We break down each sentence:✔️ What does it mean?✔️ Why is it there?✔️ How does it impact the landlord and tenant relationship—or the bottom line? We talk exclusives, prohibitions (huge time-saver), CAM, LOIs, TIs, and more. It’s not sexy, but it’s powerful. Don’t wait for your boss to schedule this—Rockstars take initiative. Do it yourself, and email your questions later if needed. Because the fastest way to gain confidence, avoid rookie mistakes, and negotiate like a pro… is to actually understand the lease you’re selling. Imagine that!

Congrats on finishing your first market study! Now… keep it going. Because guess what? The market already changed while you were reading this. A market study is never “done”—it’s a living, breathing document. Without current intel, you’re not selling… you’re guessing. Want to stay sharp without burning out? Put your study on autopilot: ✅ Subscribe to community papers and local mags (print ads = gold!)✅ Open every Valpak and piece of direct mail—it’s a retail treasure map✅ Set up Google Alerts for your city, centers, tenants, and competitors Watch for hospital expansions, new apartment approvals, construction delays, and incoming or exiting anchors. This is the kind of insight that makes you the go-to leasing expert. Bottom line? Keep up, or fall behind. The market doesn’t wait—and neither do deals.