Nice to have someone else on your team

Every time my business partner and I start looking for a new space, at some point during the process we turn to each other and say, “We could make $1M in this industry because we would RETURN EFFING PHONE CALLS!” Seriously, it’s pretty stunning the lack of follow through when you’re interested in leasing a space—at least if you’re looking for under 10,000 sq feet. My uncle, who has been the head of a couple different MAJOR commercial real estate companies says to me each time I talk about it with him, “Yeah, it’s hard to get motivated when you’re dealing with a company the size of yours.” Besides the fact that it’s pretty insulting, I think it’s really short-sighted as according to the SBA, 99.7% of ALL businesses are considered “small”. Of course, they consider anything under 500 employees “small”, but you get the point. But enough about my supportive family…. 🙂

The point of this post is to tell you about how pleasant the last two deals we have done have been because of one guy: Rodney Schwalbach of ESG Realty (www.esgrealty.com). He is a tenant representative. I was going to try to explain what that means, and why you should get one, but his site does it better:

“ESG Realty Advisors offers commercial tenant representation services to clients of all sizes. Most business owners facilitate one lease transaction every three to five years. They negotiate against Landlords, Property Management professionals and Commercial Leasing firms who have multiple years of experience working leases day-in and day-out. These real estate professionals will show tenants where to sign but do not represent the interests of the tenant. ESG Realty Advisors represents only Tenants. We do not represent Landlords or Property Managers, giving our clients the peace of mind that they are negotiating with a real estate professional on their team — looking out for their best interests.”

And that’s exactly what he does. To start, he’ll show you a report of what’s available in the area you are interested in and from there takes care of all contact with the landlord or their representative. And he ALWAYS looks out for your best interest. He’ll suggest you walk away from a deal if he doesn’t think it’s good for you and he explains everything along the way.

In short, as he’s not representing any certain property, he doesn’t really care what they (the landlords or real estate agents) think of him. On top of all of that, he calls/emails you back immediately. Every time. If you’ve ever been through this process, you know what a freaking NIGHTMARE it can be, and it’s really nice to have someone else on your team. Give him a call if you’re looking. I promise you’ll be glad you did!!
Thanks, Rodney, you’re a lifesaver!
Blair Smith, Co-Owner Dirty
Dog Self Serve Dog

Professional guidance

When the office space in Westlake that my Insurance Agency had rented for 10 was sold the new landlord wanted to more than double the rent. Overwhelmed, at the thought of moving which I did not want to do, I turned to Rodney for help. After our first meeting, I felt better knowing that I was armed with Rodney’s professional guidance and representation. With Rodney at my side, I regained my confidence and I realized that I had options. Rodney helped me realize that I was in control of my Agency’s destiny and not my landlord. Rodney began by showing me other comparable spaces in my area. But the greatest thing he did was to intercede in the negotiations with the new landlord. Rodney crafted a new lease for me that had a modest and fair rate increase. I am so happy that I did not have to move and I can say that Rodney made it possible. I highly recommend Rodney as a real-estate advisor and representative. I will certainly call upon Rodney when my lease comes up for renewal. Thank you Rodney for having integrity and knowledge and for being a true professional!
Debra Mostue, Owner Mostue
Insurance Agency

Extremely helpful

I was referred to Rodney Schwalbach of ESG Realty Advisors by someone I go to church with. I had outgrown my existing commercial space where I run a full service supply and installation flooring company. Rodney was extremely helpful and educational in helping me to figure out what it was I needed, as well as finding a space that met those needs. I feel that Rodney was extremely valuable in negotiating our lease and build-out requirements with the landlord of the commercial space and got us, what I feel is a great deal. I felt that he truly had my best interests in mind and ‘went to bat’ on my behalf in solidifying our deal. Thank you to Rodney Schwalbach for all of your help.
Brian Pousson
Owner of FLOHR

Best possible space

Since I was renting commercial space for the first time, I had no idea that I could negotiate the terms of the lease. Rodney Schwalbach helped me find the best possible space for my business at the best possible rate. It would have been a much more complicated and frustrating experience if I had not had Rodney to help me. He is professional, smart, efficient, and friendly, and I am grateful to have had him there with me through the process of leasing a commercial space.
Ashley O’Brian, Owner
Acupuncture Together

Above and beyond

Rodney and the folks at ESG were invaluable when our business had out-grown our previous commercial space. We had some very specific requirements (size, location, type of space, etc.) and Rodney went ‘above and beyond’ to find a location that is absolutely ideal for our needs.
Daniel Klopp, Owner
Sign Satisfaction

I recommend him highly

I had the good fortune to find Rodney Schwalbach of ESG Realty Advisors when I was looking for a property to lease for my new business. He listened carefully and understood our requirements, then worked with us persistently until we found the best space available. He was our staunch advocate during the lease contract negotiations. The result is that we secured a good property with favorable terms. I have worked with several commercial realtors in town, and Rodney is the best. He is very competent, reliable, and trustworthy, and I recommend him highly.
Taako Parker, Owner
Sobani Restaurant

Trustworthy

Rodney & Victor are as trustworthy as it gets when finding commercial space. I’ve known them both for almost a year now and their knowledge and customer service are invaluable.
Adam Scheidler, Owner
Lone Star Think

Very reliable

We have 5 stores and have found it next to impossible to find spaces and when we have found a location the Realtors that represent those spaces are very resistant to cooperate or even call us back. Then we found Rodney who represents the leasee. This was a great find! He helped us find and negotiate our 4th store and is now helping us complete our next location deal. He offers experience and professionalism and we will definitely use him if we decide to open any more. We are so grateful for finding him. As a bonus he is very reliable, he answers emails immediately, he calls back, he is very present! He definitely made me feel as though we had someone in our court!
Alesha Mathews, Co-Owner
Dirty Dog Self Serve Dog Wash

Quality, professional assistance

I’m very grateful the work Rodney provided for me. He gave me pointers to consider in negotiating my lease and provided fantastic results. The thing that struck me most about Rodney was his simple care and desire to truly help. Regardless of scope, I can tell Rodney is interested in providing quality, professional assistance and will easily deliver on results.
Noel Peterson, Owner
Austin Clinic of Homeopathy, LLC

I greatly appreciate ESG’s help

The small non profit I work with (Sun Dragon Martial Arts and Self Defense) had been on an extended property search for more than a year when I met Rodney at small business symposium put on by the Austin Independent Business Alliance–he was presenting on real estate searches and contracting if I recall correctly. We had searched on our own and had also worked with an agent and neither process had worked well for us. After plenty of initial skepticism that someone who had done so much work for larger business would be able to listen and help us, we signed on with him.

We found a suitable property in a relatively short period of time but it wasn’t until the search was over and the negotiations began that ESG proved their true worth. Despite being an attorney, there are all kinds of details to work out in a long term lease contract that I wasn’t familiar with or comfortable with. Rodney walked us through the process, pointed out things we needed to be wary of and helped us work out a lease that suited our needs over the long haul. In the shorter term, he helped us avoid the major expense of having to pay to replace our HVAC unit at the start of our lease term.

I greatly appreciate ESG’s help and am completely satisfied that their assistance helped us craft a lease that gave our non profit the best chance of thriving in our new location.
Many thanks,
Graham M. Smith