Vacancies Cost Money. We Work to Fill Them.

Every day a commercial space sits vacant is a day it costs you money. Mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, and maintenance continue whether the space is occupied or not. The goal of property marketing isn't just to find a tenant — it's to find the right tenant, at the right rent, as quickly as the market allows.

At Highlands, marketing is not a passive activity. We don't list a property and wait. We price it accurately, present it professionally, put it in front of the right prospects through the right channels, and follow up consistently until the space is leased.

Before we market any property, we evaluate current market conditions in the relevant submarket. Overpriced space sits vacant. Underpriced space fills quickly but leaves money on the table and can affect the value of your asset over time.

What our market analysis covers:

• Comparable available spaces in the submarket — size, condition, asking rate, and concessions
• Recent lease transactions where data is available
• Current vacancy rates by property type and submarket
• Demand drivers in the local market — employment trends, business activity, and competing supply
• Your property's specific strengths and how to position them against the competition

We give you a clear recommendation on asking rent and lease structure — and we explain the reasoning behind it. You make the final call with full information.

How a commercial space is presented affects how quickly it leases and at what rate. A poorly photographed, vaguely described listing signals to prospective tenants that the property may not be well maintained. Professional presentation signals that you take your property seriously — and attracts tenants who take their business seriously.

What we do:

• Professional photography of the space, exterior, and relevant common areas
• Accurate, detailed written descriptions covering square footage, layout, access, parking, utilities, and lease terms
• Floor plans where available or appropriate
• Clear disclosure of lease type (NNN, gross, modified gross) and any landlord concessions
• Signage coordination for on-site visibility where applicable

Commercial Listing Platforms

Available commercial spaces are listed on the platforms where commercial tenants and their representatives search — including LoopNet, CoStar where applicable, and regional commercial real estate directories active in the Northeast Tennessee market.

Local and Regional Business Networks

Northeast Tennessee's commercial tenant base is largely local and regional. We maintain active relationships within the local business community and leverage those connections to identify prospective tenants before a space is even formally listed.

Broker Outreach

Many commercial tenants — particularly businesses relocating, expanding, or seeking professional space for the first time — are represented by a commercial real estate broker or agent. We maintain working relationships with brokers and agents active in the Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, Elizabethton, and Greeneville markets and ensure available spaces are on their radar.

Residential Listing Platforms

For residential vacancies, we list on Zillow, Zumper, Apartments.com, and other platforms where qualified residential tenants actively search in Northeast Tennessee.

Direct Outreach

For commercial spaces with a specific tenant profile in mind — medical office, professional services, food and beverage, retail — we identify and reach out directly to prospective tenants who match the use and the market.

Marketing generates inquiries. Managing those inquiries well is what converts them into signed leases.

What we handle:

• Initial inquiry response and qualification — we ask the right questions to determine whether a prospect is a realistic candidate before scheduling a showing
• Showing coordination — scheduled and conducted professionally, with follow-up
• Prospect communication and follow-up — consistent, documented, and timely
• Application processing once a qualified prospect is ready to move forward
• Lease negotiation and execution once an applicant is approved

You are kept informed throughout the process. We don't go silent on you between the listing and the signed lease.

How do you determine the asking rent for my property?

Through a market analysis of comparable available spaces and recent lease transactions in your submarket. We give you a clear recommendation with the reasoning behind it.

Do you work with commercial real estate brokers?

Yes. We maintain relationships with brokers and agents active in the Northeast Tennessee market and make available spaces accessible to the brokerage community.

How long does it typically take to lease a commercial space?

It depends on the property type, submarket, asking rent, and current market conditions. We give you a realistic assessment based on current market data — not an optimistic estimate designed to win your business.

What platforms do you use for residential listings?

Zillow, Zumper, Apartments.com, and other platforms active in the Northeast Tennessee residential rental market.

Do I have to approve the asking rent and lease terms before you list?

Yes. We present our recommendation and you approve the listing terms before we go to market.