Buying commercial property can be majorly rewarding for you or it can cause you a major headache. This kind of real estate buying is not rocket science, but it does require some knowledge so that you don’t end up losing money. This list of tips should put you “in the know” on how to be a smarter buyer.
Commercial real estate can be a great long term investment. When looking for a property that you can rent out as apartments, look into properties that have at least ten or more units, in order to maximize your profits. The more units that a property has, the cheaper each individual unit is.
Knowing the cost of taxes in your area is an integral part of investing in real estate. The amount you will pay in taxes can make the difference between a positive and negative cash flow. Consult with your Realtor, the local municipalities, and a tax professional to get a good handle on your tax situation.
An important tip to remember with rental real estate is to get the entire contract and terms in writing. This is important because this is your property and if anything goes wrong during the duration of rental, you want as much on paper to back you up as possible.
When renting out a property, always include maintenance costs when trying to figure out your finances. Problems are bound to occur at some point so you should try to be prepared. With maintenance, you may go a year with no problems, and have that year followed by mainly costly repairs. Try to set aside a monthly allowance for repairs even if they have not occurred yet.
It is important to find a bank that is willing to work with you when purchasing commercial real estate. Commercial real estate is viewed and valued by financial institutions in a different way than residential real estate. Expect to come up with a higher down payment as well, about 30 percent and sometimes even more.
Think about getting in commercial real estate with a partner. You have to be able to trust this person and agree on a way to share the benefits. If you are only using a partner for financing, simply pay them back. A partner can help you by sharing his good credit and will spend time looking for deals with you.
Having a business plan with a clear direction is very important in commercial real estate. People will take you more seriously if you have a clear plan in mind. Make sure to include figures, facts and estimates. You want the people who are thinking of investing with you to take you seriously.
Be sure to have all of your requirements for the deal in writing before beginning work with any seller or broker. Include the meetings that you may want to have with managers, heads of departments, and maybe even an architect. Be sure, also, to interview different brokers prior to signing with any of them.
Buying commercial real estate properties does not have to be difficult. If you hire a knowledgeable real estate agent, you should be able to find a great property that has a great income potential. It is important to consider the condition and the location of the property before making a final decision on the purchase.
When doing commercial real estate investments, you are required to have a down payment. In addition to this, you will also need earnest money, points, and closing costs. be sure to have your own money when you want to invest in property, as banks are less likely to loan you a full sum to cover the cost, and more likely to loan you a fraction of the sum.
Make sure when you apply for your commercial loan you allow a lot of time. The bank might quote you 45 days but really it could be about three months for the loan to go through. Have patience and you will eventually get the loan you are wanting.
Make sure you are hiring the right real estate broker by checking their history. Have they made successful deals in the past? If they have no achievement to show, they probably do not have the skills or the network you are going to need. They should also be able to show you material they work with, such as charts and checklists.
Look for a broker firm that is honest. Start by asking them about how their money is made. An honest real estate firm will usually answer these questions with ease and may even provide documentation to some extent. You should determine how exactly they derive profits from your business transactions.
As you can see, there is a lot more to buying commercial real estate than most people think. It requires research and common sense, but it will be worth it, in the end, to get the commercial property you want. By following the above tips, you are well on your way to buying your perfect commercial real estate.
