Update! 1/16/09
Ok, so yesterday, I finally heard back from the landlord/owner of the place we wanted to lease. he's approved our credit check, and expects the lawyer to have the lease agreement revised by next Tuesday. Pending approval of the lease, we'll be able to sign by next Friday. He also said that since it's so close to the end of the month, he would not pro-rate the rest of January; he'd just start the rent as of February first (while still allowing us in to do our build-out the last week of January).
Ok, so yesterday, I finally heard back from the landlord/owner of the place we wanted to lease. he's approved our credit check, and expects the lawyer to have the lease agreement revised by next Tuesday. Pending approval of the lease, we'll be able to sign by next Friday. He also said that since it's so close to the end of the month, he would not pro-rate the rest of January; he'd just start the rent as of February first (while still allowing us in to do our build-out the last week of January).