Struggling to lease your retail space in a multifamily project? You might be making this common mistake.

In Episode 65 of I Own a Shopping Center. Now What?, I share a recent conversation I had with some multifamily investors who were venturing into retail for the first time. Leasing retail—especially on the ground floor of high-rise projects—is a whole different animal, and getting it right starts with hiring the right third-party team.

I walk you through exactly how I advised them: how many firms to interview, what expectations to put in writing, and why it's critical to know the market even better than the broker you hire. I also break down why it’s okay—and necessary—to fire leasing agents who aren’t performing. If you’re going to delegate, you still have to manage smartly.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Understand the default and remedy clauses in your leases

• Evaluate tenant term lengths and credit strength

• Confirm restrictions through in-person intel

• Weigh the upside of breaking outdated lease clauses

• Know your waiver options—some clauses are flexible

• Old leases aren’t always built for modern tenants

• Strategic defaults require informed decision-making

• Invite a woman to my summit—let’s grow this community!