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Small Bay Industrial Basecamp

431 members • Free

28 contributions to Small Bay Industrial Basecamp
Get Out of the Driveway
Most small contractors don’t need more square footage. They need their own space. A secure yard.A place for trailers. A place for materials. A place to work. The traditional answer is a $100+ per square foot building. Our answer is different. Fences. Containers. Gravel. Power. Simple infrastructure. Built for contractors. Built to serve the underserved. Not everyone will succeed. But somebody will get their first real shot because they finally have a place to operate. That’s the mission. YOUR OWN YARD. YOUR OWN SPACE.
Get Out of the Driveway
2 likes • Jun 6
I have a multi tenant flex building that is about half of the units being occupied by trades businesses. When the building was constructed it didn’t allow much outside storage space. Would acquiring some land about 1/8 mile away and securing it to offer as strictly outside storage work for my tenants? Have you setup any facilities like this?
2 likes • Jun 6
@John Hilgers My plan is to ask a few of my tenants, I was just wondering if anyone had that type of a setup with any of their properties.
Introduction
Hi all, I'm based in Indianapolis, IN. I am an experienced investment sales broker and am also pursuing development/ownership opportunities in central and southern Indiana.
0 likes • Jun 3
Nice to meet you Matt. I’m just North of you in South Bend.
What nobody told you…
What’s the one thing you wish you had known before your first small bay deal? If you haven’t done your first deal yet — what’s the one question you can’t find a good answer to? One sentence is fine. Go.
2 likes • Jun 3
@Ray Fauteux I’m understanding that much better now, but when I started that was definitely a weak point on my part. Fortunately I didn’t get stung too bad at that time.
3 likes • Jun 3
@Ray Fauteux I’m in that same boat. I have been hesitant on a lot of properties I reviewed a few years ago that I wish I had moved on. Now the prices are much higher a far fewer on the open market. I’ve started some cold calling but that’s not my strong point so I’m working on developing that skill.
Jump in with your deal...
I talk to a lot of investors who are looking at their first small bay deal. The number one thing that slows them down isn't finding deals. It's not financing. It's not underwriting. It's confidence. They find a deal that looks good on paper. They run the numbers. The numbers work. And then they sit on it for two weeks second-guessing themselves because nobody in their life can tell them whether they're seeing it right. That's what this room is for. If you're sitting on a deal right now, or even a market you're evaluating, post it in Deal Analysis. You don't need a polished underwriting model. Just tell us: what's the property, what are the numbers, and what's making you hesitate? I'll personally weigh in on every deal posted this week. And I know there are at least a few operators in here who will too. No judgment. No gatekeeping. Just a room full of people who'd rather help you avoid a $50K mistake than watch you make one quietly.
1 like • May 20
@Will Skillman I greatly appreciate the feedback on this offering. My thoughts are very similar to your inputs. I’m currently waiting for a response from the broker and the owner to discuss the lease renewal discussions. I’ll keep everyone updated as this progresses.
1 like • May 26
Update…Just received an update on the owners response to current leases. The owner is leaving the leases as is so that the new owner can negotiate what they want and use their own lease going forward. The numbers and risk are just too high for me on this one so I told them I’m out.
Where are you on your journey?
Where are you in your small bay journey -> looking, under contract, or operating?
2 likes • May 17
Currently working with the broker and owner to convince him he should approach his tenants and discuss rent increases. Current rents are approx. $4.70 s.f. and the market for this building would support $8.00 s.f. The second part of the discussion would be that I would want to be involved with the lease structure and verbiage. Not sure where this will land yet.
1 like • May 25
@Rob Calise very nice…Congratulations on the progress…I’m in the process of finding my next deal…
1-10 of 28
John Skelton
3
35 points to level up
@john-skelton-9020
I began investing in commercial Realestate in 2014 while I was still working in my career. I have been working for myself investing for the past 7 yrs

Active 2d ago
Joined May 17, 2026
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