It is said that location is everything in real estate. This is especially true when a business is looking for its best location. High traffic, accessibility, a good environment and favorable zoning, are all factors to consider. The following tips will help guide you through the process of finding that perfect place!
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.
You should always consult an expert if you are interested in buying large amounts of real estate. There are many people out there that try to make plans to do large real estate deals alone and they inevitably fail. Have someone in your corner that knows what they are doing.
Make sure that you choose the right size property for the size of your business. It is not a good thing to have a space that is too small because it will restrict you, but having one that is too big will have you paying a lot of money for extra space that you do not even need.
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.
Put an advertisement in your local paper. These tend to be fairly inexpensive, but are also seen by many prospective clients, buyers, and sellers throughout your local area. Remember, many people (especially older people) do not use the Internet. Use this ad to your advantage by letting people know as many details about the property as you can, and give them an easy way to contact you.
Confirm that basic utility services are already situated at the commercial property. Your particular business might need additional services, such as cable, but at the minimum there should probably be sewer, water, phone, electric and gas.
To see success in commercial real estate, you need to get used to new formulas. Buying a residential property requires certain formulas, but those used in commercial real estate can be very different. Learning the differences can help you to see greater profits and reduced losses on all of your properties.
When considering the purchase of commercial real estate, it is important to understand that you may incur upfront costs that are significantly higher than those in normal residential transactions. You will still need to have the property you are considering appraised and assessed by property inspectors, engineers, and other appropriate tradespeople as you determine its worthiness. These inspections can cost upwards of several thousand dollars and may end up yielding information that will lead you to the decision that the property is not a viable investment after all. While this is valuable information you want to know before finalizing your contract, it is important to understand that these “sunk” costs can occur.
At the beginning of a commercial real estate transaction, or prior to beginning, develop a full definition of your requirements. Be sure to cover the meetings with all of the involved parties that will be working on the project in one way or another. Then begin to survey the properties that meet your requirements.
Don’t plan for the worst, but be prepared to ask questions related to your inability to pay your rent. Know in advance, whether the landlord is willing to work with you and will allow you extra time to pay or lock you out right away. Protect your customers and your business by knowing your options.
Having a mentor can be of tremendous help when getting into commercial property investment. A mentor can help save you from making mistakes. They will look to see if you have missed any due diligence items. A mentor can also connect you with resources you may otherwise not have.
If you can not personally visit the property that you plan on investing in, then you should search for a real estate agent or property consultant. The reason is because they can give you information about the area demographics, sources or industries for estimated job growth, information about household income, and other sources of information.
Take a non-recourse loan if you are entering real estate with a partnership. This means a partner can be released from his or her obligations if the partnership ends. And if the property turns out to be a bad investment, you will not be linked to the loan as an individual.
These tips have increased your awareness of the playing field. You have learned how location can affect the success of businesses similar to yours. You have narrowed your options down and are looking at several potential locations. Now you are ready to take the final step toward success.
