School Real Estate Advisory
School Real Estate Advisory for Private Schools, Independent Schools and Educational Organizations
Schools face real estate challenges that are fundamentally different from traditional office users. Enrollment growth, campus planning, transportation, permitting, fundraising, occupancy requirements, and long-term facility needs all influence real estate decisions.
For more than 20 years, I have advised organizations throughout the Puget Sound region on complex commercial real estate matters. During this time, I have developed a specialty practice assisting private schools, independent schools, charter schools, educational organizations, and nonprofit institutions with facility planning and real estate strategy.
Whether a school is evaluating a lease renewal, searching for a new campus, acquiring property, consolidating operations, or developing a long-term facilities plan, I provide independent guidance focused on the school's mission and objectives.
Services
Campus Relocation & Site Selection
Finding a suitable school facility requires far more than locating available square footage. I help schools evaluate:
Existing school facilities
Office-to-school conversion opportunities
Religious facilities
Development sites
Campus expansion opportunities
Accessibility and transportation considerations
Neighborhood compatibility
Long-term growth potential
Lease Negotiations
Many schools lease their facilities. I represent schools in negotiations involving:
New leases
Lease renewals
Expansion rights
Early occupancy
Improvement allowances
Operating expenses
Relocation provisions
Purchase options
Property Acquisition
For schools seeking permanent facilities, I assist with:
Property identification
Financial analysis
Market evaluation
Purchase negotiations
Due diligence coordination
Development feasibility review
Strategic acquisition planning
Long-Term Facilities Planning
Many school leaders know they will eventually outgrow their existing campus but are uncertain when to begin planning.
I help schools evaluate:
Enrollment projections
Facility utilization
Expansion alternatives
Lease-versus-purchase decisions
Capital planning considerations
Multi-year occupancy strategies
Experience
My work has included advising private schools, educational organizations, and nonprofit institutions throughout the Seattle region on facility acquisitions, lease negotiations, campus relocations, and long-term real estate planning.
Unlike brokers who focus exclusively on transactions, I often work with school leadership teams and boards months or years before a real estate decision is made. This allows schools to evaluate options strategically rather than reactively.
Partial List of School and Educational Clients:
Yellow Wood Academy - Bellevue, WA
Trillium Academy - Seattle, WA
Hearing Speech and Deaf Center - Seattle, WA
Puget Sound Community School - Seattle, WA
Hatch School - Seattle, WA
Learfield - Seattle, WA
The Overlake School - Redmond, WA
Childhaven - Multiple locations throughout Washington
Children’s Home Society of WA - Multiple locations throughout Washington
Why Schools Hire Me
Schools typically make major real estate decisions only a few times during their existence. Most administrators, board members, and leadership teams are not real estate professionals.
My role is to help schools understand their options, evaluate risks, negotiate favorable terms, and make informed decisions that support their educational mission.
Every assignment begins with the same objective:
To align the school's real estate strategy with its long-term educational goals.
Let's Talk
If your school is considering a lease renewal, campus relocation, property acquisition, facility expansion, or long-range planning initiative, I would welcome the opportunity to discuss your objectives.
Contact Trevor Clark to schedule a confidential consultation.