The Ultimate Takeover Checklist for Retail Owners | Episode 68: I Own a Shopping Center, Now What?
Description
There’s a 10-page checklist every new owner should have—and most of you don’t even know it exists.
When I bought my first shopping center, I had no idea what I didn’t know. Then I met my rockstar property manager, Lori Rosen. Lori ran circles around the rest of us—and she handed me this takeover checklist that completely changed the way I approached new deals. Today, she’s sharing her Forms Book with the world, and I still use that same list every single time I take over a property.
Whether you’ve just bought a center or you’re stepping in to take over leasing and management, this checklist is going to keep you sane and organized.
In this episode, I walk you through it all—from utility transfers and vendor audits to HVAC reports and delinquency follow-ups. These are the things you must tackle in those first few weeks if you want a smooth transition. And if you DM me? I’ll send you the actual checklist.
Oh, and one more thing: gentlemen, I know 92% of you listening are men. Do me a favor - bring the women in your life to the Women’s Real Estate Investment Summit. It’s time we get more women in the game.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Always use a takeover checklist to streamline transitions
Audit every vendor and contract within 30–90 days
Notify tenants immediately and redirect rent collections
Transfer utilities, insurance, and service accounts right away
Build lease expiration and insurance compliance reports
Set up property management systems on day one
Don’t overlook emergency contacts and lease signage
Stay ahead of tax and CAM reconciliation deadlines
Replace outdated leasing signs quickly
Add new property entities to every tenant’s insurance certificate
United States
