Sid, I threw the kids in the car yesterday and my wife and I went driving around to see what we could see. I found about 10 properties that may work as a first commercial purchase. My reaction was, this is above what I’m capable of doing. But I wrote the letters and sent them anyways. If nothing else, I can be told no and at least get a feel for how the conversations go with these types of owners. They were mainly large garages that appeared to be vacant or not used for regular open business. I’m looking for something that can possibly be rented out as a larger than normal storage unit/warehouse or industrial storage.

Good for you, for taking a leap out of your comfort zone.

I just went and looked at a warehouse today.

15,000 sq ft footprint x 2 floors...plus basement.

Brick.

Not very much parking at all. (maybe 5-10 spots)

Been empty a long time...

In a good part of town, within 1/2 mile of CBD.

No idea how to value this thing.

Would love to have it.

Any other highest and best uses to consider?

Not zoned to turn into multi-family or condo.

I don't really want to partition for smaller storage...

Other ideas?

I just went and looked at a warehouse today.

15,000 sq ft footprint x 2 floors...plus basement.

Brick.

Not very much parking at all. (maybe 5-10 spots)

Been empty a long time...

In a good part of town, within 1/2 mile of CBD.

No idea how to value this thing.

Would love to have it.

Any other highest and best uses to consider?

Not zoned to turn into multi-family or condo.

I don't really want to partition for smaller storage...

Other ideas?

I remember the first house I bought - that first day I was smiling ear to ear. The second night - I was up much of the night thinking - what on earth did I do. I will be paying on this house for the next 30 years and did you see how much I will have to pay over 30 years. I was scared. Scared of the unknown.

Whenever you start something new - it is great that you a bit doubtful. But you are never alone. You have a team helping you out with many faces you have never seen nor ever will. I was these "hidden Aunts and Uncles" that help guide me along my life's journey. To this day, I still can't tell what that last chapter will be - but I am sure it will be alright.

ned, maybe laser tag, airsoft, paintball?

Escape rooms are popular right now.

Any chance you could dig a drive into the basement for parking?

I go to a few online auction sites. They receive shipments of overstock items. Then they sort and catalog the items to have auctions weekly. Takes a lot of space. Have them run pick-ups on a schedule to keep the traffic down.

Obviously the cheapest would be warehouse space. But finding the people who need the space and haven't already purchased it is the challenge.

I've been experimenting with AI--first ChatGPT, now Claude. Here's what Claude said in answer to your question, Ned:

"For a 1500 square foot building with two floors and limited parking (5-10 spots), here are some optimal commercial uses:

A boutique professional services firm would be ideal - like a small law practice, accounting firm, design studio, or consulting group. These businesses typically have low foot traffic but need professional space for client meetings and staff work areas.

Another excellent option is a specialized retail concept that doesn't rely on high customer volume. Think custom jewelry, high-end furniture, or art galleries where customers spend significant time per visit and the business doesn't need constant foot traffic to be profitable.

Service-based businesses like a spa, wellness center, or therapy practice could work well too. These typically operate on an appointment basis, naturally staggering client arrivals to work within your parking constraints.

Given the two-floor layout, you could also consider a hybrid model - perhaps a small café or showroom on the first floor with offices or workspaces above, creating multiple revenue streams from the same property.

The limited parking makes it less suitable for businesses requiring high customer turnover like quick-service restaurants or convenience stores.

Here are a few more ideas generated by natural intelligence:

--Custom cabinet maker or countertop manufacturer

--Any business that requires a fair amount of inventory, but not huge (plumbing comes to mind)

--Maker space

--MJ grow facility :)

Honest answer NE -

After you have the space, the business people can and will find you - if you planted the right seeds in advance. This is where attending and actively networking during a business after hours event pays huge dividends. I understand that based on your kid's ages, that attending a social mixer isn't a priority, but instead of you finding your tenant on your own - you have created and trained an army of recruiters doing the heavy lifting for you.

When I had my 68,000 sq/ft mixed use building, I routinely had it at about 93% full. It was 2/3rd apartments and 1/3 businesses. The building will help shape your clients. This was a former Junior High Building so it was a huge brick behemoth, three stories high and no elevator either.

Had a wraparound business, union hall, karate studio, cheerleading studio, party center, realtor, mortgage broker, career counselor, shrink, geologist, debt collector, massage studio, dance studio, non-profits, barter broker, benefits coordinator, day care center, an attorney private charter school, corn hole league, and even pickle ball over the course of 18 years. The building became a second place for kids to hang out after school and that helped it to become part of the community's personality.

Did Ray specifically go out of his way to create this culture? Nope the seeds were there....if a Union Hall exist, wouldn't make sense for a benefits coordinator to be close by? How about across the hall? What is a good use for a former music room? How about a dance studio? Auditorium? - karate.

Would a former school be a great place for a day care center? After all it is a place to keep an eye on your kids after school lets out up to the time mom and dad pick them up? Ray gained a lot weight eating girl scout cookies - but that is what you do, you support these small groups and they ask you what you are doing. Me - I have a small 400 sq/ft space perhaps on that day that I am trying to fill - it would be ideal for 1) xxxxxxxxx 2)xxxxxxxxxxxxx or 3) xxxxxxx. Do you know anyone who works in that field that might be able to help.

I have to say - when that place got arsoned by a RESIDENTAL tenant so they didn't get evicted...that was an attack on the small town. The point is you get the place and the right people will notice. We assume everyone is in the real estate business - truth is many businesses want to stay 100% focused on chasing profit and not equity