Lynn Drake

Lynn Drake’s status is well known in the industry: She’s the commercial realtor focused on maintaining “true north” for her corporate clients. It’s a reputation built on 35 years of commercial real estate experience. Lynn became a commercial realtor in 2001 after 15 years in corporate real estate. Thus far in her career, Lynn has successfully completed over 1,500 real estate transactions ranging from small business tenant leases to the sale and purchase of industrial complexes.

13

May2026
The experienced ones focus on total occupancy costs. Base rent is one one piece. Taxes, Cam, Insurance, Utilities, Parking, Base Year and Build Out Expenses are a part of the equation. That is where the deal is really won or lost.
May 13, 2026Lynn Drake

05

May2026
One of the things that make it hard to figure out the costs of leasing a building is that different types of real estate charge differently for space. For instance, a retail or industrial building is going to charge a base rent plus taxes, maintenance and utilities. These charges can ... Read More
May 5, 2026Lynn Drake

30

Apr2026
April 30, 2026Lynn Drake

23

Apr2026
All too often clients come up with a round number that feels right in the moment. “I need 5,000 square-feet.”  “I need 8,000 square-feet.” When we ask how they arrive at that number, they cannot say. But none of them want to have enough room for a bowling alley. Help ... Read More
April 23, 2026Lynn Drake

16

Apr2026
Your company culture might encourage people to flex their schedules and stay late in the evening or come in on weekends during crunch periods. Can your building accommodate you? Does it accommodate the hard workers down the hall at your expense? The big question is who controls the thermometer.If a ... Read More
April 16, 2026Lynn Drake

08

Apr2026
Let me tell you a story. We were working with a nonprofit on a lease renewal in Ann Arbor. The original landlord of the building was excellent – the trouble only began when he passed away and his son took over. The lease had what we in the business call ... Read More
April 8, 2026Lynn Drake

31

Mar2026
Answer: One major mistake is not negotiating renewal options or missing the deadlines to exercise them. This can eliminate leverage and significantly increase future rent costs.
March 31, 2026Lynn Drake

31

Mar2026
I always love it when I can find the right building for clients and save them money at the same time. Even more fun are the friendships I have been able to create with my clients over the years. Many of my clients have become close personal friends. What do ... Read More
March 31, 2026Lynn Drake

24

Mar2026
Under Michigan law, a landlord’s agent representing a commercial property is not required to proactively disclose that they do not represent the tenant unless their actions create implied agency or the situation moves toward dual representation.Commercial transactions are treated differently than residential transactions. The law assumes a higher level of ... Read More
March 24, 2026Lynn Drake

23

Mar2026
A client once called me, thrilled to have found an office space in Farmington Hills, MI, listed at just $1 per square foot near I-696. He wanted me to drop everything and check it out. Sounds amazing, right? Not so fast. The listing was written in California lease language, which quotes ... Read More
March 23, 2026Lynn Drake