REALShare presents Frederick commercial real estate agent Ashley Kiggans
Author: Amanda Lee, Frederick County Economic Development Office
Ashley Kiggans has joined MacRo as Vice President after serving as a Senior Sales and Leasing Representative for several years. Kiggans plays a key role within the organization, supporting the sales and leasing transaction process while assisting the leadership team with a wide range of initiatives including market research, data analysis, customer communications and marketing. Kiggans works closely with MacRo's President, Rocky McIntosh, on a variety of key projects.
To contact Ashleigh, call 301-698-9696 extension 205 or email ashleigh@macroltd.com.
Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got involved in real estate.
I grew up in Northern Virginia. I moved to North Carolina for a few years to play volleyball in college, then moved back to Virginia, then moved to Maryland. I have lived in Frederick for 10 years with my two children and partner Jim. I worked in the fitness industry for several years before deciding to move into real estate. I started working as a receptionist for an executive office suites company owned by Oliver Carr in Washington DC, and quickly became one of the youngest general managers in their largest office in downtown Washington DC. After working in the Washington DC/Bethesda area for about 5 years, I realized I wanted to live closer to home in Frederick. After interviewing with Rocky in the late summer of 2015, I knew this was the perfect place for me.
What is your greatest strength when working for your clients as a real estate agent?
He has good communication skills, is competitive and has a good personality.
How can the average small business owner find the right real estate agent?
I ask for referrals from other small business owners and their residential agents. It's important that the agent they choose is focused on what's right for that business or owner and understands their business. One thing I always do is use the words “we” and “our” when representing my clients. I become an extension of their business.
What surprised you most about the market in 2020?
How resilient our industry and Frederick commercial real estate agents are. The outside world thinks that 2020 was a catastrophic year for commercial real estate with COVID restrictions, meaning it was bad. But for many parts of commerce, it's been quite the opposite. Some people think of only office and retail as “commercial,” but there's a whole other world of warehousing, land, flex, and more that is thriving.
What trends will we see in 2021?
Commercial properties and warehouses/flex have been very popular in 2021. I believe this trend will continue. The retail market is also slowly starting to revive.
In your experience, what are the most important requirements for a prospective tenant in a typical lease?
That's a difficult question to answer directly. Every tenant has very “must-haves”. Even within the same industry, space requirements may differ. I think it's important for potential tenants to focus on what is best for their own space/business, rather than thinking about what other people's “must-haves” are.
What can tenants do to strengthen their negotiating position?
Be prepared: Know the basic architectural needs for your space. Know your budget and financial situation (for the past three years). If you're a new business, have your business plan (including projections) and personal financial situation ready to submit along with your letter of intent. Be creative: Not decorative creativity, but creativity to craft the best deal you and the landlord can agree on.
Hidden dangers, warning signs: What should tenants look out for?
Trust your instincts. If something feels or feels wrong, talk to your commercial real estate agent. No matter the situation, don't hesitate to pick up the phone and connect with a professional.
Learn more about Ashleigh and MacRo Commercial Real Estate.
This article appears with permission from the Frederick County Office of Economic Development (OED) and first appeared on the Commercial Real Estate page of the office’s website on April 21, 2021.
Amanda Lee is the market research and data analytics manager for the Frederick County Economic Development Agency.
The Frederick County Office of Economic Development (OED) is a division within the Executive Branch of Frederick County Government. It serves as a catalyst for economic growth in Frederick County. Its mission is to increase the economic health of the entire county by attracting new businesses to targeted industries and helping existing businesses become more successful.
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