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Shorts

Smiling man in a suit stands inside a futuristic cockpit with dark control panels and cables overhead.

Welcome Aboard!

I’m happy to introduce a new member to the Commercial Equities Group (CEG) team. Welcome aboard, Spencer Larson!

1 day ago1 min read

Industrial grain silo with turquoise top beside quiet road, railroad crossing sign, and distant city Minneapolis skyline under blue sky.

Buying and Selling Buildings

When buying and selling buildings, there are a lot of things to manage. Due diligence is a time to do a thorough screening of the property’s condition as well as code compliance and environmental tests. Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) helps to minimize a buyer’s risk by checking for historical contamination, hazardous materials, and vapor intrusion. If something is found …

Oct 161 min read

Autumn forest trail lined with white birch trees and yellow-green leaves under a clear blue sky, peaceful and empty.

Fall Rush

For most people, when October arrives in Minnesota, it’s all about fall colors. In the commercial real estate business, October means fall rush and one of our busiest months of the year.

Oct 21 min read

Man on a rooftop beside HVAC units, with an American flag waving against a blue sky and trees.

Commercial Property Improvements

We have a current client that inherited commercial property from a family member. The long-time tenants had been paying rent set years ago and way below today’s market value. We worked with the owner to align rent when leases were up, re-sign tenants, and find new tenants where needed.

Sep 253 min read

Terracotta, lay-colored brick industrial building with blue door and metal stairs, a yellow dock door, and unit numbers 103 and 104, under a clear sky.

What Are the Top 3 Things Industrial Tenants Are Looking For in a Warehouse?

I started in industrial, and I continue to have success leasing, buying, and selling industrial buildings. Through the many deals over the many years, I know warehouses, inside and out, from the below ground to the roof. So what are the top 3 things potential industrial tenants looking for in a warehouse building?

Sep 102 min read

Family selfie at a fair, smiling before a giant Ferris wheel, framed by trees and yellow tents.

MN State Fair Opportunities

It’s MN State Fair season and that means opportunities! I typically go there twice, once to support my network and the other to have a good time with family. This year, I had to merge the two, and it’s hard to shut my business and commercial real estate brain off.

Sep 41 min read

Three smiling men (Jeff, Andy, and Adam) in navy Commercial Equities Group hoodies pose in a stadium concourse near booth and section 126-127 signs.

Small Companies, Big People

At CEG, we’re a close group and last Friday hit hard. Andy Voorhees, our business development and property management extraordinaire, unexpectedly passed. It’s a tough loss for our team as many of us were his longtime friends, but the way Andy lived his life is a gift we’ll carry as we continue on. In small companies, it’s easy to recognize those big people.

Aug 283 min read

Smiling young woman and man pose for a selfie outside Hazel's restaurant, with the bold sign visible behind them.

Deals, History, and Local Gems

Working in commercial real estate, I often find myself dining out for meetings and networking events around the Twin Cities. I’ve also done deals with iconic restaurant buildings, including Liquor Lyles in Uptown, Whitey’s in Northeast, Vescio’s in Dinkytown, The Galaxy (retro drive-in) in St. Louis Park, and 112 Eatery in downtown Minneapolis. My history and our current listings got me thinking. What Twin Cities restaurants are …

Jul 313 min read

Beagle wearing black glasses sits behind a desk with papers, looking serious against a black chair.

Take a Look: It Might Be Time to Renegotiate

Whether it’s time to renew your lease or not, it may be a good time to take a look and see if you should renegotiate. As commercial lease expenses continue to climb in the Twin Cities, you may gain three potential benefits by renegotiating:

Jul 101 min read

Brick building with ZWICKEY ARCHERY sign, astronaut graphic, and AVAILABLE commercial real estate sign above a green lawn.

Own Your Own

What’s the best advice I have for small business owners? Invest in your business. In other words, use your business to buy a building. You won’t have to negotiate leases, succumb to landlord pressure, or deal with the logistics and expense of moving. And you will benefit from …

Jun 112 min read

Split image of a man and woman holding playing cards against a green hedge and blue “M” backdrop, both making playful faces. Man has a great hand with kings and aces. Woman has mismatched cards of low value.

Know When to Hold ‘Em, Know When to Sell

Property owners should regularly evaluate whether to keep an asset or pass it on to the next owner. Talking it over with a commercial real estate expert allows you to know when to hold ‘em and know when to sell.

Jun 52 min read

Colorful mosaic of a light pink pig riding a bicycle over orange and green tiles, with a blue backpack.

How Community Impacts Commercial Real Estate

Being active and involved in community is one of the key aspects of Blue Zones, places in the world with the most people aged 100 or older. These areas were identified by Minneapolis local Dan Buettner (sparked from his travels while biking around the world) along with a team of researchers. Community involvement …

May 293 min read

Chain-link gate closed, in front of beige buildings with brown doors and green trees, under a clear blue sky. Shadows cast on dirt ground. Security card access and camera on a high pole on the left.

No Parking? Industrial Outdoor Storage

When it comes to the industrial outdoor storage, the Twin Cities and the national market align. It’s in high demand.

May 152 min read

Row of urban buildings in daylight; red brick, tan brick, and a garage with "Midwest Motorcycle." Clear blue sky. Street view setting.

An Evolving Neighborhood

In the 80s and early 90s, the Warehouse District (known as North Loop today) was known for its underground scene and 19th and early 20th century brick warehouses. Besides artists, who were looking for cheap rent in repurposed warehouses (zoning violations? 😉), not many people lived in the neighborhood. But artists brought galleries, which attracted patrons followed by bars and restaurants.

May 12 min read

A smiling man in a suit is inside a spacecraft cockpit with seats and control panels. Background has tubes and machinery.

5 Ways to Make a Big Impact as an Intern

Commercial Equities Group is happy to announce Max Giblin is joining the team as a brokerage intern. A student at Augsburg, Max plays college hockey so he understands about dreaming big and working hard to meet goals. I’ve been so impressed with his approach and work so far.

Apr 243 min read

Two people smiling, standing beside award plaques for Commercial Equities Group and The Woods. Dark backdrop with radiant light.

We Are Finalists!

Commercial Equities Group recently got some great news! We were named a finalist for Brokerage Firm of the Year by Minnesota REJournals! In addition, Nicole Langer was recognized as a finalist for Most Significant Investment Sale Transaction in 2025 for her Maple Grove retail deal, The Woods!

Apr 171 min read

A person in a blue suit smiles in a spacecraft interior with control panels and seats. The setting is mechanical and futuristic.

To the Moon!

This week, Artemis II broke the record for human travel in space, reaching the farthest distance from Earth, 252,756 miles. This is equivalent to ten times around the Earth’s equator. That’s some journey!

Apr 102 min read

Two women smiling at a restaurant table. Vintage photos on a wall with Italian names. Warm, cheerful mood.

Women Talking Commercial Real Estate

Recently, CEG brokers Nicole Langer and Diane Signorelli discussed commercial real estate over plates of pasta at Yarusso-Bros, an East Side St. Paul Italian restaurant. Two Italians having a delicious Italian meal while I was enjoying great food in Italy! 🇮🇹 Both Nicole and Diane have listings for sale in the neighborhood …

Mar 274 min read

Halie smiling inside a space capsule, surrounded by control panels and seats. The background is metallic with blue and beige accents.

Shining Bright

NASA’s countdown is famous. It packs drama, enthusiasm, and precision into one cultural and global event. Well, CEG has had its own dynamic countdown waiting for …

Mar 131 min read

A gloved hand holds a paint roller over a bucket. A pink piggy bank with sunglasses sits nearby. Text on the wall reads "Paint Me!"

What’s the Secret?

What’s the secret to leasing a space faster and for more money?

Mar 61 min read

Jeff's Shorts 2022-2024