Industrial Tenant Representation in the Kent Valley
When you lease industrial space without your own broker, you are negotiating against a professional who does this every day and represents the landlord. Tenant representation puts a professional on your side of the table, and in almost every case the landlord pays our fee out of the same commission pool they would pay anyway.
What we do for industrial tenants
We start with your operation, not the listings: dock and grade doors, clear height, power, trailer parking, column spacing, sprinkler rating, truck court depth, and the drive time for your workforce. Then we survey every option in the Kent Valley, including off-market and pre-marketed space we know about because we work this market every day. We tour, shortlist, run proposals against multiple buildings at once, and negotiate rate, free rent, tenant improvements, renewal options, and the lease language that costs tenants money later (operating expense caps, restoration, holdover, relocation clauses).
Who we work with
Distribution and 3PL operators, advanced manufacturing and aerospace suppliers, food processing and cold storage users, building products and contractors, and growing companies making their first move out of flex or incubator space. Typical requirements range from 5,000 SF to 300,000 SF.
Why the Kent Valley
The Kent Valley (Kent, Tukwila, Renton, Auburn, SeaTac and the Seattle industrial districts) is the largest industrial market in the Pacific Northwest, with direct access to the Port of Seattle, Port of Tacoma, I-5, SR-167, and SeaTac Airport. It is also tight and landlord-favored in most cycles, which is exactly when representation matters most.
Lease renewals and expansions
The best time to hire us is 12 to 18 months before your lease expires. Landlords know when a tenant has run out of time. We create real alternatives, even if you end up staying, and use them to negotiate a renewal on market terms rather than the landlord's first offer.
See how we did this
Case studies from Mike Hemphill and The Andover Company.
Hill Raaum Pietromonaco Investment Co.
$4.7 million purchase, vacant space 100% leased in four months
Represented by Mike Hemphill
EC Power Systems
Below-market lease with free rent and a generous TI allowance
Represented by Mike Hemphill
Frequently asked questions
What does industrial tenant representation cost?
Nothing out of pocket to the tenant in the typical transaction. The landlord pays a leasing commission whether or not you have a broker; with representation, part of that commission compensates your advocate instead of all of it going to the landlord's agent.
How far in advance should I start looking for warehouse space in Kent?
For requirements under 50,000 SF, start 9 to 12 months before you need to occupy. For larger or specialized space (cold storage, heavy power, food grade), 18 to 24 months, because you may need to consider build-to-suit or major improvements.
Can you find off-market industrial space?
Often, yes. Because we also represent landlords and have worked the Kent Valley for decades, we frequently know about space before it is listed, and we can approach owners directly on your behalf.
Do you work outside the Kent Valley?
Yes. Our home market is the Kent Valley and South Seattle, and through The Andover Company and the CORFAC International network we handle requirements throughout the Puget Sound, the I-5 corridor to Portland, and nationally.