The last few years have been extremely challenging for Columbus commercial real estate, with high office vacancies and low demand. However, signs are on the horizon that the rebound is finally coming.
Demand for retail space has jumped up in 2025, while the demand for office space from larger clients is at least showing signs of recovery. In order to make the most of the recovery and attract high-quality commercial tenants, now is the time to revamp your property management.
Central to this is your property inspections. With the right approach to inspections, you can ensure satisfied commercial tenants and lower vacancy rates, now and in the future. Here's what you need to know.
Compliance is a Competitive Factor
If you own commercial property in Ohio, compliance is your responsibility. Inspections are your time to ensure the property is 100% compliant with building codes, zoning regulations, and fire safety laws.
Neglecting to inspect for these issues can make you legally liable if anything goes wrong, potentially destroying your business. With regular commercial real estate inspections, you can ensure your building is fully compliant in all areas, which in turn offers a competitive advantage that potential tenants will be drawn to.
Proactive Approach to Maintenance
One of the most effective ways to reduce costs as a commercial landlord is to fix minor issues before they spiral into expensive problems. Commercial property inspections are key to achieving this.
They are an opportunity to hardwire a proactive approach to maintenance into your portfolio. You can maintain, make repairs, and upgrade as soon as a problem arises, which is always cheaper than waiting for something to break down completely.
Mitigate Risk, Maintain Value
As a commercial landlord, it is your job to mitigate any risks that might affect your property or your tenants. Inspections will help you identify any potential gaps and troubleshoot accordingly.
This could mean ensuring proper signage or keeping exits clear and accessible. All of this, in turn, will help you to keep your property in top condition and maintain its value over time. When it comes to protecting your assets, inspections are key.
An Opportunity to Communicate
At the end of the day, inspections are for the tenants first and foremost. Make sure to use any inspections are an opportunity to speak directly with your tenants. Find out if there is anything wrong with the property from their perspective, or if there is anything they would like to be improved.
This will help you maintain positive tenant relations and keep retention high. Of course, don't forget to give fair warning to tenants ahead of inspections, and always communicate in a friendly, timely, and professional manner.
Fine-Tune Your Property Inspections
Being a commercial landlord in Columbus, OH right now is no easy task. Standing out from the competition is key, and property inspections are critical to making this happen.
If you wish to fine-tune your property inspections so that they help you decrease vacancies, increase retention, and boost the appeal of your assets, we can help.
At PMI Columbus, we offer outsourced inspections that ensure compliance, proactive maintenance, and good relations with tenants. Reach out to our friendly local team to find out how we can help today.
