Buying commercial real estate can be very intimidating to someone that has never done it before. It can easily lead to a bit of information overload because of all of the resources available to new buyers. Below are some tips to assist you in getting all of this information organized to where you can start buying commercial property smarter.
Ask your leasing agent about the company’s policy about returning your security deposit. Some companies will deduct cleaning costs, tear and wear regardless of the condition of your apartment when you move out. Have a clear picture about the fate of your deposit before you sign the lease, as you might lose a significant amount of money when you move out.
During the process of looking for a commercial real estate property, it is important to ask your broker any questions you may have. If you don’t, you could end up agreeing to something that you are not pleased with or losing out on something that you were really looking for.
Determine your financing methods before you even start looking. It is just a shame to find the perfect property only to find that you are in a bind when it comes time to pay. You should determine and qualify with a lender before you start looking for the right property so you have your finances set when the time comes.
Compared with residential properties, investing in commercial properties typically requires an initial down payment that is of a much higher percentage of the total cost. As a result, it is especially important to do your homework on commercial lenders in the area before agreeing to finance through any one company.
Even if you are very familiar with the process of investing in residential properties. Do not be overconfident in your ability to navigate through the complex and highly technical process and protocol of purchasing commercial properties as part of your real estate portfolio. This can save you thousands of dollars in legal or accounting mistakes.
Make your offers clear and concise. Do not make any assumptions about what a seller, business or home, would be willing to accept. If you only believe the property is worth a certain amount, offer it, and be firm. If your deal is not accepted, then you were at least able to make sure you would have paid a fair price.
If investing in commercial properties, always be aware that there are many other properties available. You should never allow yourself to feel pressured into a sale because you feel it is a last-resort. Other properties always go up for sale, so keep away from becoming emotionally involved with your sales.
When looking for potential properties to purchase for rental income, think big. Why buy a ten unit property if you can buy a twenty? By increasing the number of units you can offer, you also increase the number of clients who will pay you rent, there by increasing your income potential.
Before you negotiate a commercial real estate lease, you should be sure you have the ability to repair and rebuild the area. The reason is because this will give you the ability to do repairs on your own instead of relying on the landlord to do the repairing and rebuilding for you.
Have property professionally inspected before you decide to put it up for sale. If the inspector finds any problems, you should attend to them promptly.
When selling your commercial real estate you should take the time to properly advertise its income potential. When a potential buyer is considering the purchase of a commercial property the most important factor in their decision is the income potential of the property. If you are upfront and honest about the potential you should be able to sell the property quickly.
Remember that any building you may own will eventually start to get old. It will need work and might take more money than you had planned to maintain it. Think about future costs that may come up when deciding which properties you want to buy. It will save you money down the road.
When writing up a letter of intent, make sure to keep your offer simple and straightforward, focusing on the bigger issues at first and then figuring out those pesky, little details later. This make negotiations less contentious, as coming to agreement on minor issues is naturally easier than agreeing on the big stuff.
Weigh all of your property options before choosing what to invest in. Apartments are an easy choice, but there are a lot of people who are already in the apartment market. Look into other types of commercial properties such as office buildings, commercial land, etc. It may be best to step out of your comfort zone and find a unique goal.
Hopefully, these tips have provided you with some very valuable information, as well as given you a way to organize all of the thoughts and information you may have already had on buying commercial property. Keeping these tips in mind when you start buying can help you one day become a smarter commercial property buyer.
