Beth Azor

Thinking about selling your shopping center? Before you list it, there are critical mistakes that could turn off buyers, delay your sale, or even lower your property’s value. Many sellers unknowingly make choices that seem beneficial in the short term—like locking in long-term tenant rent increases—but these decisions can actually reduce flexibility for buyers and make your property less attractive.

In this episode, I share what smart shopping center buyers look for when evaluating a deal, and what you should fix before listing your property. I break down why fixed rent increases in tenant options can work against you, how long-term vendor contracts can complicate negotiations, and why open permits can stall or kill a sale. 

Key Insights from This Episode:

✔️ Why giving tenants long-term fixed rent increases can hurt your sale price

✔️ The biggest contract mistake that can turn off serious buyers

✔️ How open permits can delay or ruin your shopping center sale

✔️ Why month-to-month leases could be a deal-breaker for some buyers

✔️ The right way to prepare your property before listing it for sale

Planning to sell your shopping center? Drop your questions in the comments!

Owning a shopping center sounds great—until CAM reconciliation season hits. If you're feeling overwhelmed by surprise expenses, frustrated tenants, and unclear CAM charges, this episode is for you. I break down exactly how CAMRECs (Common Area Maintenance Reconciliations) work, why your tenants might be footing the bill for grocery stores and anchors, and how to protect your cash flow without shocking your tenants with massive invoices.

Whether you're a new shopping center owner or just trying to get ahead of rising costs, Beth shares real strategies she's using right now to avoid $5,000+ surprises, handle tenant disputes, and keep her centers running profitably year after year.

Key Insights:

-Why local tenants often cover the costs anchors like grocery stores avoid

-The three ways landlords handle CAM increases—and which works best

-How to protect your cash flow and avoid massive CAM reconciliation bills

-Why national tenants play games with CAM disputes (and how to handle them)

-The overlooked mistake that can crush your shopping center’s profits

-How to use CAM estimates to smooth out costs and avoid blindsiding tenants

-When to offer payment plans—and when to say no

Struggling to Lease? Top Tips on How Residential Agents Can Solve Your Commercial Vacancy ProblemAre you struggling to fill vacant spaces in your shopping center? I reveal a surprising leasing strategy you probably haven't tried—tapping into hungry residential brokers. Learn why commercial brokers might not always be your best bet, and discover how getting creative can fill those long-empty spaces faster. I share real-life insights on why hiring an eager residential broker could be the secret solution you've overlooked.Key Takeaways from this episode:- Why residential brokers can outperform commercial brokers for leasing your vacancies.- How to leverage hungry, motivated new agents to hustle and close deals quickly.- Practical tips on incentivizing brokers to fill your toughest vacancies.

Have you tried using residential brokers before? Comment below and let us know your experience.

Owning a shopping center comes with challenges - one of the biggest? Tenants who stop paying before their lease is up. In this episode of I Own a Shopping Center, Now What?, I break down real strategies to handle non-paying tenants without breaking the bank on legal fees.Key Takeaways from This Episode:- When to take legal action vs. when to cut your losses- How to leverage security deposits the right way- Using judgments & the Better Business Bureau to hold bad tenants accountable- The unexpected way past tenants might pay up—years laterIf you’ve dealt with this before or have questions, drop them in the comments! I might cover your issue in a future episode.

Not every tenant is the right fit for a shopping center, and sometimes, what looks like a great leasing opportunity can take a shocking turn. In this episode, I share a jaw-dropping story from my own real estate experience—one that completely changed my perspective on a deal.

I was seriously considering leasing to a pet store tenant who, on paper, seemed perfect. But then I visited one of their existing locations… and right in the window was a massive sign that read: “We Buy Rats.” What I discovered next made me rethink the entire agreement.

🔑 Key Takeaways from This Episode:

• Why you (or your leasing agent) MUST visit a tenant’s current location before signing a lease
• The unexpected red flags that could save you from a bad deal
• How tenant mix affects your property’s value and the neighborhood’s overall appeal
• Would YOU lease to a "We Buy Rats" store? Here's why I didn’t.

This is a crucial lesson in due diligence for commercial real estate. Have you ever had to turn down a tenant? I’d love to hear your story in the comments!

You Own the Shopping Center—You Make the Rules.

As a shopping center owner, you have the authority to decide who leases space in your property. In this episode, I share a real-life experience with a tenant prospect who misrepresented their business and how I handled it. I discuss the importance of verifying tenants, visiting their existing locations, and standing firm against pressure from brokers or prospects trying to push a deal that doesn’t align with your vision.

Key highlights:

No one can force you into a bad deal. You control your shopping center.

Don't miss out on future episodes filled with more expert insights and practical advice. Subscribe to my channel now and be ready on owning a shopping center.

#CommercialRealEstateInvesting #BethAzor #RealEstatePodcast

Are you tracking market shifts, or are you falling behind?

Rental rates change constantly, and if you're not staying on top of vacancies in your market, you could be pricing yourself out—or missing out on higher rents. I’ve seen landlords struggle to lease space simply because they didn’t realise the market had shifted. A big anchor leaves, road construction impacts traffic, or vacancies spike—and suddenly, your pricing strategy no longer makes sense.

On the flip side, if demand is high and vacancies are disappearing, you might be underpricing your space without even knowing it. That’s why you can’t rely on online sources alone. You need real-time data—whether that means driving the market, talking to brokers, or hiring someone to give you the latest insights.

In this episode, I cover:

Listen now and make sure you're making the right moves for your shopping center!

Don't miss out on future episodes filled with more expert insights and practical advice. Subscribe to my channel now and be ready on owning a shopping center.

#CommercialRealEstateInvesting #BethAzor #RealEstatePodcast

How do you fill vacancies in your shopping centers?

In this episode of "I Own A Shopping Center. Now What?", I dive deep into strategies for leasing vacant spaces in newly acquired properties. Whether you’re a new investor with one property or managing multiple centers, these tips will help you make informed decisions and set yourself up for success.

We talk about why it’s crucial to get into the market yourself, the importance of understanding local dynamics, and the steps you should take during your due diligence process. I also share insights on hiring strategies, from in-house leasing agents to brokers, and why respect for the brokerage industry is non-negotiable.

Here’s a quick breakdown of key topics:

If you’re navigating vacancies or planning your next acquisition, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you avoid common pitfalls. Give it a listen, and don’t forget to share your thoughts!

What does it take to reposition a shopping center?

In Episode 34 of "I Own A Shopping Center. Now What?", I explore the steps to transform a shopping center and unlock its full potential. From identifying the reasons for change to creating a tenant mix that drives traffic, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Key highlights include:

Identifying reasons for repositioning, like maintenance or leasing issues

Balancing cosmetic updates with structural improvements

Developing tenant strategies to align with goals

Refreshing the property with a new name or branding

Hosting events to engage the community and boost traffic

Attracting tenants that drive activity and benefit all

If you’re ready to elevate your property, this episode is for you. Tune in and share your thoughts!

Don't miss out on future episodes filled with more expert insights and practical advice. Subscribe to my channel now and be ready on owning a shopping center.

#CommercialRealEstateInvesting #BethAzor #RealEstatePodcast

How much vacancy should a leasing agent handle?

In Episode 33 of I Own A Shopping Center. Now What?, I tackle the critical question of how much vacancy a leasing agent can effectively manage. Drawing from years of experience running leasing teams, I explain why focusing on vacancies rather than the number of properties is essential for maximizing performance and growing rents.

Key highlights from this episode:

Whether you’re handling leasing in-house or working with a third party, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you optimize your leasing strategy.

Don't miss out on future episodes filled with more expert insights and practical advice. Subscribe to my channel now and be ready on owning a shopping center.

#CommercialRealEstateInvesting #BethAzor #RealEstatePodcast