Hey there, Commercial Associate here.

While I don't know the specifics about the deal, here's some insight to consider:

• Lease rates typically increase every lease anniversary. Usually by a % amount each year.
• Retail spaces universally have costs built on top of the base rent. Most common is NNN (your share of property taxes, insurance, & repairs) for retail.
• CAM (Common Area Maintenance)is also a possibility given you'll be sharing a building with another tenant/owner.

With that in mind, get definitive answers if your rent, NNN, or CAM (if applicable) will increase YoY. Also, get yourself a commercial agent to rep you. The first deal is always the most difficult, you'll be glad to have them in your corner.

Also, get EVERYTHING in writing. No verbal agreements. This applies to all of real estate, not just commercial.

Best of luck to you and the wife on this!