Back in the days of Jurassic Park, Dr. Ian Malcolm pointed out that "life will find a way." He was talking about dinosaurs reproducing, but he might as well have been discussing the office leasing world. COVID-19 is still out there (as of August, 2020), but office tours are happening again. If you're looking for space, here's what you can expect to see.
More Clicks, Fewer Office Tours
Whether you're touring local spaces or offices across the country, you will probably be more selective about the spaces that you visit. Good brokers are equipping their listings with detailed photography, video tours and, in some cases, virtual reality 3D walkthroughs. That way, you can get a better sense for each space. Add in your ability to do virtual site visits to the surrounding neighborhood using readily available tools like Google Earth, and you can rule out spaces without ever getting in a car or a plane.
While virtual touring can help you eliminate unsuitable spaces, it can't do the entire job. As such, be ready to take office tours of your best options.
Leave the Driving to... Yourself?
Don't be surprised if your tenant representative gives you a tour book, walks you out to the parking lot and says "OK. Follow me." While driving yourself might be less convenient than resting in your broker's passenger or rear seat, it also helps both of you stay safe from COVID-19. Consider asking them to narrate your tour via hands free cell phone, as well, so that your drive time can stay productive.
Prepare for Preparation
As a response to the risk of surface-based transmission of COVID-19, you will probably be touring office spaces that are perfectly prepared. Wet surfaces aren't signs of roof or plumbing leaks -- they're just sanitized. Savvy brokers will prop doors open and turn lights on. While this might seem wasteful from an energy perspective, it allows you and the brokers and other office tour attendees to visit the space without touching anything.
Embrace Solitude
While solitude might be a strong word, teams on office tours are smaller post-COVID than they were before the pandemic. Don't be offended if you only see your broker, or maybe one landlord representative, and if they all stand six feet away. They're just keeping you safe so that you can worry about the space, instead of your health.
Embrace the Outdoors
You can expect to have your questions answered during your office tour, but your broker may choose to skip lunch. Instead, if weather allows, you may end up discussing sites or the tour in the parking lot or in an outdoor area at one of the office parks you toured.
It's Much Better!
As you read through this piece, you might be thinking that COVID-19 will change the nature of every office tour that you take. And, you know what, you're right!
It'll change your tours by making them better. Read back over this document. You'll save time and money by touring more spaces from your desk and fewer on site. Tours will go smoother because everything will be set up and prepared for you to go through with no impediments. You'll have the people you need there to help you, and you may save further time with quicker intra- and post-tour discussions. More spaces. Better decisions. Less time. Welcome to the future!
Wondering where to begin?
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