Searching for Commercial Space in East Nashville?

Searching for commercial real estate isn’t the easiest task in the world.

Commercial real estate, unlike residential, is a very fragmented market.

In Nashville, we don’t have a “commercial MLS” or single-stop shop for searching available listings. Sure, you can use Loopnet and Craigslist, but they often have outdated information or a lack of current availability.

So if you’re looking to buy or lease commercial real estate in East Nashville, what’s the best way to do it?

1. Work with a Brokerage Like The Cauble Group

Brokerages that are based in and focused on specific neighborhoods are often the best call you can make if you’re looking to buy, sell, or lease commercial real estate.

Commercial real estate brokers are in the loop with everything that is happening in their specific area of expertise - after all, it’s their job! Top notch brokers are the most knowledgeable resources when it comes to what is available or coming soon in their neighborhoods and likely know all or most of the property and business owners. Having these relationships is crucial when you’re looking to break into a tight-knit market, as deals are often done before they are announced to the public.

The Cauble Group is East Nashville’s largest commercial real estate brokerage and the only firm that offers buying, selling, and leasing services in the 37206, 37207, and 37216 zip codes. Not only are most of our team members Nashville natives, all of our brokers live and work in East Nashville, making them the best resource on the neighborhood for anyone interested in commercial real estate on this side of town.

Here’s a list of all of The Cauble Group’s East Nashville commercial property listings.

2. Utilize the Internet

While websites like Loopnet and Craigslist don’t provide the best information possible, they still do provide some information on what is currently available in the market.

You’ll be able to search for both for-lease and for-sale listings on either of these websites and get a sense for the market in terms of availability and pricing.

We recommend calling the owners / brokers with the listings to double check that the information posted is accurate and up to date. These phone calls are also a good opportunity to fish for more information to see what else they may have on-market or coming soon in the neighborhood.

3. Network with Business Owners

Business owners are oftentimes one of the best resources for other businesses looking for space.

Entrepreneurs are part of a family that often assist each other and discuss what’s happening in the neighborhood. They’re a solid resource and may be able to point you in the right direction.

Neighborhood groups are also a wonderful way of making these connections and they may have pages / boards that you could post on asking for information. The East Nashville Facebook Page, Historic East Nashville Merchants Association, and The Chamber of Commerce East Area Advisory Council are all good resources if you decide to take this route.

4. Drive the Market

Another action you might take is to drive around East Nashville’s major neighborhoods, being sure to hit major corridors such as Main St / Gallatin, Dickerson, Douglas, & East Trinity. You’ll certainly be able to cover more ground on these thoroughfares, but wonderful opportunities can be found within residential areas, too.

This can be time consuming, but beneficial if you note that most of the lease signs in your favorite area reference one particular broker.

That broker might be one you want to talk to, especially since they seem to understand your market and have properties of interest to you.

Like the residential real estate agent that seems to be representing every house in your neighborhood, they obviously know the market and can help you find what’s available.

About The Author:

Tyler Cauble, Founder & President of The Cauble Group, is a commercial real estate broker and investor based in East Nashville. He’s the best selling author of Open for Business: The Insider’s Guide to Leasing Commercial Real Estate and has focused his career on serving commercial real estate investors as a board member for the Real Estate Investors of Nashville. Learn more at www.TylerCauble.com