Even an amazing property can become a terrible real estate investment if you don’t approach your business plan wisely. Real estate investing is based entirely on the deal at purchase, terms you agree to, as well as, the return on your investment. Many experts have dabbled in real estate investing. Here are some of their best tips.
If you are a landlord looking to rent out a house or apartment, it is crucial that you have the tenant fill out an application and go through a credit and background check. You do not want to be stuck with a tenant who won’t pay rent or trash your house, so also ask for references.
Before investing in commercial property, talk to the current business managers or owners that rent from the location up for sale. Ask questions of them such as if they are going to renew a lease, if they have a good business clientele and questions about the neighborhood in general. This will give you a good view of potential profits in owning commercial real estate.
If you think small apartment buildings would be more manageable, think again. A greater amount of units allows for more profits, and it’s not much more of a burden. As long as you concentrate on a single property (at least until you’re confident enough with it to branch out), you’ll see how easy it can be to flourish in commercial real estate.
Familiarize yourself with the basics of commercial real estate property valuation. The things that can up residential value: kitchen, number of bathrooms, landscaping, and so on – mean little or nothing for commercial investors. One of the most important determinants of value for a commercial property is the square footage, and what the square footage yields in rental income.
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.
Plan any commercial real estate investment well in advance of the actual purchase. Time is on your side in this type of market. In many cases, most economic concessions will be made just before the deadline of the transaction. Avoid letting the seller know you are anxious to close quickly.
Speak with all of the high level people at your company to determine the financial plan and budget for the real estate purchase that you are going to make. The last thing that you want to do is to find a great piece of land but not have the funds to cover the transaction.
When negotiating a commercial real estate lease, you should try to decrease the landlord’s remedies for default. If you do this, it will decrease the options of the landlord on what he or she can do if you were to default on your lease. You do not want the landlord to have lots of options because this can hurt you.
Before buying a commercial property, you need to get it properly inspected by a professional. All commercial properties are zoned for a specific purpose. You need to make sure that the property you are considering purchasing is properly zoned for the purpose in which you intend to use it in the future.
Conduct thorough inspections of the building and property before signing anything. Take the time to look into the books and records for the property as well as the structure itself. Inspect the roof, interior, HVAC system, and the environmental records to be sure that you are not going to regret your decision to purchase.
Negotiate the terms of your lease. If you are a small business owner, you should negotiate one or two year leases to ensure flexibility to grow your business. Have an option to renew your lease if you need to with a predetermined rent amount to avoid unexpected, usually catastrophic rent increase at the end of the term.
Don’t personally guarantee the lease whenever possible. You created a corporation for a reason: to protect your personal effects and your family. With personally guaranteeing the lease, you will jeopardize not only your company’s assets, but your family’s too. Don’t risk everything you have worked for for a lease find another location if you have to.
Make sure you match the type of property you have with the type of loan. If you have a small loan request, take it to a small bank. If you have a large loan, take it to a larger bank. This way you will be getting the service you need.
Real estate investing can quickly become a catastrophic situation, if not approached carefully or with a plan in mind. Remember the importance of making a great deal, setting logical terms and strategizing to increase profit. Follow the tips presented in this article and you’ll be on your way to a successful business endeavor, in no time.
