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Business & Tech

Tips For When Business Outgrows Home

Go from home-based business to leasing your first commercial space with help from a real estate agent and Baltimore County.

Each morning I fill my favorite mug with herbal tea before setting out on my two-minute commute – to my home office. While there are many reasons to celebrate my home office, which is outfitted with a simple desk and chair, a book shelf, a vintage typewriter, custom artwork courtesy of my elementary-aged nephews and fluffy pillows for my dog, Winston, it's not an ideal meeting space for clients.

 Working from home is a dream for many, and a reality for those who pursue their entrepreneurial dreams by setting up a home-based business. But as a home-based business expands, owners are faced with deciding whether or not they should make the big move into commercial office spaces.

 Deborah Sebour, owner and broker of RE/MAX New Beginnings, a residential and commercial real estate company located on Sulphur Spring Road, understands making the move from a home-based business to a commercial space. She and her team of real estate agents also work with business owners to help them realize their dreams in carefully selected commercial spaces.

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 “I started my real estate business from my home, using my dining room as an office. As my daughter and I started taking on more real estate agents and clients, we knew it was time to transition into another space. We found a space where agents could work and meet with clients, and we could prepare for future growth,” explains Deborah Sebour.

 She offers a few pertinent tips home-based entrepreneurs can use when they're ready to take the plunge, “Look for an agent who is certified in commercial real estate, because residential and commercial real estate are two totally separate entities." She continues, "When you start looking for a commercial space, think beyond a year; project how much space you'll need in the next two to five years. Select a central location that's easily accessible for your customers, and that offers plenty of space for parking.”

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If you're in the market for commercial space, broker Deborah Sebour  also recommends researching the commercial programs provided by the county. The Baltimore County Department of Economic Development lists Arbutus and Catonsville as two of 13 Commercial Revitalization Districts. Businesses in these areas are eligible for assistance which may include real estate and fixed-asset loans, tax credits, architectural design services and more. You can reach the office at 410-887-8000 or businesshelp@baltimorecountymd.gov

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