DEVELOPING A BUILDING TOUR LIST: SQUARE FOOTAGE IS JUST THE BEGINNING
- Renee Ervanian
- May 15
- 2 min read
Many Phoenix tenants believe that a tour list is built from four inputs: square footage, geographic boundaries, preferred floor plan, and monthly budget. But the micro-factors - the ones only a broker who lives in the market every day knows - are what determine a tenant's top choice. Below is a breakdown of common micro-factors:
The Window Line and Views
Tenants prefer extended glass lines and natural light. This makes a small suite feel larger, modern, and may impact the brand, morale, and productivity.
Building Accessibility, Ingress & Egress
A building can have beautiful finishes and competitive rates, but if traffic flow, getting in and out of parking, is a daily battle, employees may resent this.
Lobby Loitering and First Floor Tenant Mix
The lobby sets the tone. If the first-floor tenant mix creates noise and loitering, it impacts the professionalism and comfort.
Access to Lunch Options and Retail Amenities
Walkability and convenience are huge retention tools. Employees do not want to drive 15 minutes to lunch.
Parking Ratios and Visitor Parking
Even if the parking ratio is favorable, the economics for covered parking may be too high. In addition, visitors need easy and intuitive access. If parking is hidden or crowded, they will be annoyed before they even enter your suite.
Restroom Condition and Convenience
Tenants will typically check restrooms to see if they are clean and modern. This also silently shows the quality of janitorial choices.
Landscape and Exterior Presence
Curb appeal, landscape, exterior maintenance, and signage quality influence tenant impressions before they ever step inside.
A tour isn't built from a spreadsheet. It's built on operational realities and subtle details determined by a well-informed broker.
About the Author
Renee Ervanian is the Managing Broker of Core Commercial, LLC, specializing in Metro Phoenix tenant and buyer representation, owner-user sales and acquisitions, and family legacy portfolios. With 20+ years of experience advising office, industrial, and flex users across the Valley, she is known for her deep submarket expertise, negotiation strategy, and tenant-side advocacy. Renee publishes a daily Phoenix tenant-representation micro-analysis to help businesses avoid costly lease mistakes and negotiate from a position of strength.
Credibility and Compliance
Core Commercial LLC is an independent Phoenix commercial real estate brokerage focused solely on representing tenants, buyers, owner-user buildings, and family legacy portfolios. Insights reflect Phoenixx market conditions and lease structures. For direct tenant, buyer representation support, contact:
Renee Ervanian
Managing Broker, Core Commercial LLC
Phoenix Metro Office & Industrial Representation
602 - 330 - 7482
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