Specialization in Real Estate

I disagree with agents that think they can be the jack of all trades. They are jack of “something” all right. Yes, you lose out on some commissions by turning away or referring opportunities but if I were a tenant looking for commercial real estate advice I would want the best agent working on my behalf. As a tenant or landlord, do some due diligence and hire the agent that actively works your market and not a friend of a friend.

To be a specialist and provide exceptional service you need to focus on a specific type of transaction (office leasing in my case) and engross yourself in that market. It’s even better if the agent specializes in working with tenants in your business vertical. I specifically track “shadow” options and shared space that haven’t come to market yet. I am consistently updating my database, speaking with tenants and doing research so I have the leg up on my competition. Unless your market is very small you need a lot of focus time. By referring requirements outside of my specialty I generate the time I need to better my market knowledge and use it to service my clients.

I recommend you interview a few agents and work with the one you feel will best service your needs!
Give me a shot – Chris Fyvie – 416-992-9869 or E-mail Me!

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Small Office Space Available in the Toronto area

Please note the attached office space is not listed with OfficeSearchToronto.com but call us first at 416-992-9869 or E-mail Me for floor plans and additional information. If you want to sort out only the available office space listings on this blog, click the link “Available Office Space Toronto” in the Categories section on the bottom right.

Richmond Street, Bay Street, Adelaide Street, University Avenue, Yonge Street, Dundas Steet
Other Available Office Space

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For short term or small office space less than 600 sf click here!

Contractors and Pricing

Seems like good news for tenants looking for work on their offices, in the short term.

Contractors will have to drop prices to stay competitive, economist says

BRIAN MARTIN

correspondent

Vancouver

There is at least one good thing to be said for 2009 according to Jock Finlayson.

There is only another 10 months left for the industry to ride out the bumpy road, said the executive vice-president of the Business Council of British Columbia

On the brighter side, however, Finlayson predicted that 2010 could see a pretty good snap-back.

Non-residential construction has continued to hold up better than residential construction.

“There has been a big drop in residential permits and that is not likely to turn around quickly,” he said.

“Non-residential permits and the non-residential construction business has been a huge source of growth for the B.C. economy,” he said, “but it is certainly weaker than we were experiencing over 2005 to 2008.”

Finlayson said the economy has so far not seen price gains receding in the non-residential sector.

However, he expects to see that change. The fundamental outlook, he said, is weakening and he expects to see some downward pressure on prices in Vancouver, Calgary and other western Canadian cities.

“The market has changed. You are probably going to have to adjust your prices,” Finlayson told a group of contractors attending the recent BC construction show.

On the optimistic side, Finlayson pointed out that the provincial government’s Major Projects Inventory is still in healthy shape.

The inventory tracks projects either under construction or being actively planned that are worth at least $20 million on the Lower Mainland or $15 million in the rest of the province.

“The latest report from the ministry of economic development shows about $100 billion worth of proposed major projects,” he said.

“A little over $60 billion are currently underway.”

Both numbers are appreciably higher than they were a year ago and higher still, to where they were two years ago. Both figures, he said, indicate that although things are slowing, the construction industry will continue to make a big contribution towards keeping B.C.’s economic head above water for the next couple of years.

However, he maintained a full recovery will depend on the primary industries, which still fuel the provincial economy. These include forestry, mining, hydro power, coal, oil and natural gas.

Finlayson pointed out there is not much that B.C. can do to stimulate those industries, as they depend on economic recovery in major markets – primarily the U.S. and Asia.

“If you’re in construction or engineering, just be glad you are not in forestry,” he told the executives attending the breakfast. “It could be worse.”

He foresees a weaker construction industry over the next two years as B.C. plunges headlong into recession in 2009.

Non-residential construction will soften, but it will hold up better than residential construction.

He added that the push by the provincial and federal governments to accelerate infrastructure projects will be steps in the right direction. He also shared where he believes the industry is in the cycle.

“We are closer to the bottom than to the beginning of the downtown turn,” he said.

The Roomba and new Encryption Technology

How about buying this for your office instead of hiring a cleaning staff?

The Roomba Professional 610—the most powerful Roomba EVER—is made for large areas like offices, businesses, and big homes. It comes with two interchangeable bins, extra brushes and filters, and two virtual walls.

Some pretty cool encryption technology from Engadget.com

We don’t know anybody who seriously relies on biometrics — except, of course, those of you who rushed out late last year to pick up your very own BioMirage Coffer — but if this is your bag, take note: Sony has just announced Mofiria, their new high speed, compact biometric solution for mobile devices.

Cool Billboard Advertising and New Windpower Technology

Here’s an interesting interactive billboard by Sharpie permanent markers.  Just like on the web, a person can stop by and leave a comment.  Yes, there will be the pranksters leaving the wisecracks and funny double entendres but hey, the ad (marker?) stands out from the crowd and gets noticed.  Hmm… since it’s a permanent marker, you can’t erase the writing— maybe an orthopedic specialist can do some piggback marketing and put their own ad in there.

Scientists at the Delft University of Technology (Netherlands) think they can create more electricity from the wind than the traditional windmills — by using power kites. A recent test of a 10 square meter kite generated 10 kilowatts, enough to power 10 homes.