Avoid These Strip Center Buying Mistakes | Episode 51: I Own a Shopping Center, Now What?

Beth Azor

Not all strip centers are created equal - and if you're looking to buy one, you better know what to look for. In this episode, I break down the critical (and often overlooked) details that can make or break your investment.

From parking ratios and restaurant tenants to visibility challenges and shifting demographics, Beth shares the exact advice she’s giving in DMs and emails to prospective buyers. I even open up about a shopping center I couldn’t lease - because of poor visibility - and what I learned the hard way.

Thinking about splitting a 10,000 SF space into four bays? I get into the real costs - and why you should lease it first, then build it out. This is must-hear guidance for anyone buying or repositioning a center in today’s market.

Key Insights:

✔️ Restaurants bring rent—but need the most parking

✔️ Poor visibility = long, painful vacancy battles

✔️ Traffic counts and tenant mix reveal a center’s true potential

✔️ Changing demographics can stall leasing momentum

✔️ Splitting space costs six figures—lease before you spend

✔️ Homeless issues? Temporary security can work wonders

This episode is full of tactical tips for evaluating a deal beyond the surface. If you’re serious about buying strip centers, this is your blueprint to avoid costly mistakes—and lease faster, smarter, and stronger.