REALShare Gets to Know Frederick Commercial Real Estate Agent Ashleigh Kiggans
BY: AMANDA LEE, Frederick County Office of Economic Development
Ashleigh Kiggans
is the Vice President of MacRo after being a senior sales and leasing associate for several years. Kiggans plays a key role within the organization, assisting the leadership team across a wide range of initiatives, including market research, data analysis, client communications and marketing while assisting with the sales and leasing transactional process. She works closely with MacRo’s President, Rocky Mackintosh, on a wide range of key projects.
To contact Ashleigh, call 301-698-9696 Ext. 205, or email ashleigh@macroltd.com.
Tell us about yourself and how you got into real estate.
I grew up in Northern Virginia. Moved to NC for a few years to play college volleyball and then was back in VA until I moved to MD. I’ve lived in Frederick for 10 years with my two kids and partner, Jim. I was working in the fitness industry for a couple years before deciding to make the move to real estate. I started as a receptionist with an executive office suite company in DC, owned by Oliver Carr, and quickly rose to become one of the youngest General Managers at their largest downtown DC location. After almost 5 years in the DC/Bethesda area, I decided that I wanted to be close to my home in Frederick. After interviewing with Rocky in late summer of 2015, I knew this was the right spot for me.
What would you say is your greatest strength as a realtor when working for your clients?
Communication, competitive, and personable.
How can the typical small business owner find the right realtor?
Asking other small business owners or even their residential agent for a referral. It is important the agent they choose focuses on what is right for that business/owner and understands their business. One thing I always tend to do is use the terms “we” and “us”, when representing my clients. I become an extension of their business.
What surprised you the most about the market in 2020?
How resilient our industry and Frederick commercial agents are! To the outside world, people think that commercial real estate was crushed—the bad crushed—in 2020 due to COVID restrictions. It was quite the opposite for many parts of commercial. While some only think of office and retail as “commercial”, there is a whole other world of warehouse, land, flex, that were growing.
What trends are you seeing for 2021?
Commercial land and warehouse/flex have been very hot in 2021. I think this trend is going to continue. Our retail market is also starting to slowly make a comeback.
In your experience, what are the top must-haves for a prospective tenant in a typical lease situation?
That’s a tough questions to give a direct answer to. Every tenant is going to have very “must-haves”. Even those who may be in the same industry, may have different space requirements. I think it’s important for a prospective tenant to not think about what other’s “must-haves” are, but focus on what is best for their space/business.
What can a tenant do to strengthen his/her negotiating position?
Be prepared. Know the basic buildout needs that are going to be required for your space. Have an idea of your budget and your financials (last 3 years) ready. If you are a new business, make sure your business plan (with projections) and personal financials are ready to be presented with your Letter Of Intent. Be open to being creative. Not decorative creative, but creative in crafting the best deal that you and the landlord agree on.
Hidden dangers, red flags: what should tenants be watching out for?
Trust your gut feelings. If something doesn’t sound or feel right, discuss it with your commercial realtor. No matter the situation, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call an expert!
Find out more about Ashleigh and MacRo Commercial Real Estate.
This article has been posted with permission of the Frederick County Office of Economic Development (OED) and was first featured on April 21, 2021 on the Commercial Real Estate page of its website.
Amanda Lee is the Manager of Market Research and Data Analysis at Frederick County Office of Economic Development.
The Frederick County Office of Economic Development (OED) is a department within the Executive Branch of Frederick County Government. It acts as the catalyst for economic growth in Frederick County. Its mission is to increase the overall economic health of the County through attracting new businesses in targeted industries and to help existing businesses become more successful.