Saturday, July 20, 2013

Commercial Real Estate Can Be A Money-Making Opportunity "By Marcus Maupin"

Purchasing commercial real estate is vastly different from purchasing a residential property. The following article will help you understand how the commercial market works.

Mixed-use urban planning is a real estate development strategy that can add considerably to a property's value. A property located in a neighborhood planned for mixed use will have shops, services and public projects located close by. In a mixed-use development many steps are taken to improve the neighborhood's local character and reduce the residents' reliance on cars. A home in such a neighborhood can be valuable - and pleasant to live in!

Keep in mind that commercial real estate takes longer to sell, renovate and purchase. It is still a great way to make a nice profit when buying and selling it, but always keep in mind that it is a longer process than buying and selling residential real estate would be.

Consider whether to manage your rental property on your own, or through a rental agency. On your own may be less expensive, but if there are problems in the future with unpaid rent, damages, or lawsuits, you will be glad to have someone on your side. Not to mention the inconvenience of having to find a plumber at 2am when the pipes freeze. Let someone else deal with the headaches.

Condos and townhomes all each have a Homeowner's Association with special rules imposed by them called Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs). Always read the CC&Rs. They can restrict or regulate virtually anything they want from the color of your house to parking your car. In most cases, their goal is to promote conformity, but you may find out it is not for you.

Even if you have already purchased a commercial real estate property, it is important to keep in mind that it is a long process. Some commercial property owners grow impatient with the process and want to give up on it. Just remember, everything has to be made official, documents need to be signed and possibly, repairs need to be made.

If you are a first time commercial real estate buyer, you may want to give a newly licensed commercial real estate broker, attorney or lender a try. Pass them over for more experienced people in the field. Working with those already experienced in the field will give you more confidence in purchasing commercial real estate.

One thing to think about when purchasing commercial real estate is why the previous owner is selling it. Sometimes, they are selling it because of a problem with the property itself. For example, it could be prone to insect infestation, or perhaps in a more bizarre scenario be the target of repeat break ins due to a vendetta.

If time is against you in regards to buying commercial property, make sure that you are never forced to make a transaction. Making a bad decision is worse than making no decision at all, as you should only sign on to things that you believe in. This will allow you to get the best bang for your buck.

When entering into commercial real estate, investigate the track record of your broker. You will want to hire someone who not only specializes in your unique interests, but has the results to back it up. Treat this as any hiring process that you ever would go through at a typical job for maximum results.

Sometimes during your negotiations for a piece of land, things may get heated and there may be arguing and disagreement given the amount of money that may be exchanging hands. During this time, make sure that you keep your cool and handle things in a professional manner, to maximize the chance of landing a good deal.

Don't be in such a rush when purchasing an investment property. This will take more time than a home that you buy for personal use. The negotiating, fixing up, and selling process can take awhile but remember, rushing can cost you in the long run. A rushed deal will not turn out as well and therefore, decrease your profit potential.

Hire a trustworthy commercial property broker to find your new location. You will save time and money as he will do most of the groundwork. His unique knowledge of the local market and its participants can prove very useful in negotiating the terms of your new lease agreement. A small up front expense can make a lot of difference on the long run.

You might need to pay a contractor to repair or improve the buildings you have bought. Make sure you are hiring someone who will do the job seriously. Always check a company's credentials, and ask your real estate broker to recommend a contractor if necessary. Agree on a price before they start working.

Once you have bought some buildings, you should carefully establish a plan to get them ready for renting. Have an expert inspect your buildings and determine what needs to be done to meet safety requirements. Create a checklist of everything you have to fix and make sure it matches your budget.

Remember that the way you and your partners present yourself will go a long way in the negotiations. Come prepared with a suit and tie and look as sharp as possible when entering negotiations. This will help you garner respect from the seller for your prospective commercial real estate purchase.

Apartments:

Apartments are usually what people buy for commercial purposes, but think about other types of investments too. You could invest in offices, parks or simply land. You can also buy something and transform it into a different type of building if the location is right. Be creative and original in your projects, but be realistic in your plans.

You should include the money you are going to spend on due diligence into your budget. Once you have your apartments ready, they will have to be inspected to make sure they match certain safety and quality standards. This process can be very costly, especially if your apartments do not pass the inspection the first time.

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.

Keep in mind that you are buying something to make money out of it, not simply to own it. When looking at apartment buildings, think about how much people would be willing to rent these apartments for. You can also make money by re-selling your property after a few years, but this is not the main goal of commercial real estate.

If you want to rent your apartments or offices at a good price, think about hiring an interior decorator. A good decorator will create a warm environment that makes renters feel at home even if they are renting a rather small and conventional apartment. This could boost the value of your property.

Before you invest in something, you should be an expert on this type of real estate. For instance, if you want to invest in apartments, you should know about legislation, safety requirements and have a good idea of what being a landlord means. If you are thinking about investing in an office building, you should understand what a company needs.

When looking for a commercial real estate investment, don't automatically select apartments. Not that there is anything bad about apartments. However, there are also industrial buildings, office buildings, mobile home parks, raw land and many other commercial properties. Find the type of property that meets your needs and personal investment goals.

When trying to find your niche in the commercial real estate field, it is important to consider all the types of properties you could potentially invest in; apartments, office buildings, trailer parks, etc. Some property types may be better suited than others to help you achieve your business goals.

Urban and suburban investors in commercial real estate think only about what is visible to them on their daily travels, such as apartments, office buildings and retail buildings. What don't you see everyday? Industrial properties are out of sight usually, but still need owners and tenants, as do mobile home parks, undeveloped pieces of land and even houses of worship occasionally. Explore local niches that are a little uncommon or out of sight for markets with little to no competition.

To make sure you get the most out of a commercial real estate investment, don't only consider apartments. There are a wide variety of commercial properties to invest in, from office buildings to trailer parks, and it's best to consider lots of options so that you can get the best deal available.

As you can see, there are a lot of things to consider when shopping for commercial real estate. Keep this advice in mind so that you may get better deals when searching for the location of your business.

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