What Your Brain is Doing to Your Real Estate Decisions
What neuroscience tells us about aging, real estate, and the decisions we stop seeing clearly Over the past several years, I have noticed a pattern playing out in some of my client relationships, in your families, in your partnerships, and perhaps one day in the mirror. It is the pattern of an owner/investor who cannot […]
How’s the NoVa Office Market, Really? A Look Back at Q1
The NoVa Office Market: Two Very Different Stories The Northern Virginia office market ended Q1 2026 with an overall vacancy rate of 20.4%, unchanged for three straight quarters. Whether that’s good or bad depends on perspective — and the reality is, it’s both. (For a deeper look at how Alexandria is responding to office vacancy, […]
Why Your Children Probably Don’t Want to Inherit Your Commercial Property (And What to Do About It)
Let me say the inside words out loud. Your children don’t want your commercial property. They just want the money. You spent 25 years paying down that mortgage. You renovated it, and you made memories there. Maybe you built your entire business there. It’s natural that you might have thoughts of it staying in the […]
Why Comprehensive Record-Keeping is Crucial During a Lease Transaction
As a commercial buyer or tenant, maintaining meticulous documentation throughout the lease process is not just smart—it’s essential. While your real estate agent serves as a valuable resource, never rely solely on them to manage every detail. Capture every aspect of your transaction in writing to ensure you are protecting your interests. From the initial […]
Understanding the Differences: Medical Office vs. Retail Spaces in Northern VA
Medical Office vs. Retail When it comes to commercial real estate in Northern VA, understanding the disparities between medical office and retail spaces is crucial for making an informed decision for your next medical site. Lease Structures: Medical office leases often offer full-service arrangements, encompassing all occupancy costs like base rent, utilities, taxes, and cleaning. […]
Retirement Planning with Tartan
As you approach retirement, you need a strategy for your commercial property just as you do for your retirement. You don’t control market conditions but can control your decisions in that environment. Whether you sell, lease, or explore other options, making the right decision now can significantly impact your future financial security. This client still enjoyed working but circumstances […]
Preparing for Retirement: Top 5 Things Commercial Property Owners Should Consider
Preparing for Retirement: Top 5 Things Commercial Property Owners Should Consider As you approach retirement, deciding what to do with your commercial property can be both exciting and daunting. This pivotal moment requires careful planning and informed decision-making to ensure your financial security and peace of mind. Tartan Properties has guided numerous clients through this […]
Where Is Your Leverage?
As with any negotiation, understanding your value and knowing where you have leverage is essential to any transaction. The size of your company, your track-record and financial strength are what you bring to the table. If you are in the market for office space, or any commercial space, understanding each party’s position will help you […]
Five Things to Negotiate in Your Next Lease
Negotiating concessions in a commercial lease transaction is largely about tailoring certain aspects of the deal to fit the needs of your business. If you work with your real estate advisor you can successfully map out your objectives and priorities.
The Power of Pattern Recognition in Commercial Real Estate
As a commercial real estate professional with years of experience, I have developed what I believe is a keen sense of “pattern recognition” when it comes to identifying opportunities and potential issues in commercial real estate transactions. Too often residential and commercial real estate brokers allow themselves to be commoditized and seen mostly as “space […]