Leasing Tip of the Day: Out-of-Market? You STILL Have to Know the Market!

I get it. You can’t exactly swing by your Kansas City shopping center every Tuesday if you’re based in Ft. Myers. But let me be crystal clear: you cannot lease what you don’t understand.

If you’re repping a property outside your local market, here’s your non-negotiable game plan:

Spend at least one full week “living” in the market.
Drive every center. Walk your property morning, noon, and night. Notice who’s shopping on Tuesday at lunch versus who’s there Saturday afternoon. Those are your future tenants’ customers—know them.

Meet the locals.
Introduce yourself to neighboring leasing agents. Tour competitor centers. Shake hands with the city’s economic development director. Show up to a chamber breakfast. Become part of the community, even if just for that week.

Make regular return trips.
Quarterly visits are a must. Monthly if your center’s hurting. You can’t stay on top of the market from behind a desk.

And if your boss doesn’t believe in investing in market knowledge? Hand them this tip—or better yet, have them call me. I’ll set them straight.

Bottom line: Out-of-market is not an excuse for out-of-touch. Market knowledge is what makes you a leasing rockstar, no matter your zip code!

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