Time saving tips for finding retail space for your small business

Starting a small business is a time-consuming process. Getting funding, hiring staff, distributing marketing materials, and handling legalities are just a few of the things you need to do to get your small business off the ground.

Finding retail space for your small business can be time-consuming as well, especially with so much else going on. However, the following time-saving tips will help you find retail space for your small business without taking up too much of your time.

Know exactly what you want to spend.
One of the first things you should do is figure out your budget and how much you plan on spending. Also, you will need to decide whether you are purchasing retail space or renting or leasing it. Doing this in the very beginning can help you by making sure you don't waste time visiting places that are out of your price range or looking at rentals if you want to purchase retail space.

Get financing before you begin looking.
Make sure you take care of financing (if you are making a purchase) before you begin looking. If you find the perfect place and then run into an obstacle in the financing department, you will have wasted your time looking for a place that may not still be available when you get your money. Get pre-approved before looking, so you can know how much you will be able to afford.

You should also shop around for the lowest rate you can find. Look for the lowest fixed rate that doesn't have a lot of fees. Don't feel pressured from your realtor, either, to go with their lender.

You will also want to avoid using an online lender, as it can be difficult to distinguish legitimate lenders from the many scams out there.

Use the internet.
The internet has simplified a number of things, including finding real estate. It allows you to search for retail listings any time of the day or night, without having to wait for a realtor to send you listings or look for you. Taking advantage of the internet and the numerous commercial real estate websites that have listings all over the country will save you a great deal of time as you search for retail space for your small business.

Use a realtor.
A good realtor can save you a ton of time looking for retail space for your small business. He or she can also show you more properties, as a realtor has access to more listings than you would be able to find on the web or through a newspaper.

Communication is key to a good experience with your realtor, so make sure you are very specific with regards to how much you want to spend, areas you're looking for, or lease options you would like. Save time by making a list of these must-haves before you call your realtor.

Realtors work on commission, and many will try and get you to spend as much as possible or even show you retail places out of your price range. This can be a waste of time for you and your realtor. However, if you are clear upfront about how much you want to spend, this will not be an issue.

Finding retail space for your small business can be time-consuming, but with the proper preparation, you can save a great deal of time.