What You Should Know Before Buying Commercial Real Estate

As an investor considering commercial real estate and its appealing prospects, you need to understand rewards and risks in entering this investment portfolio; and you should know they are not the same as residential real estate.

Buying or renting, is a question many business people ask themselves when their mortgage or rent is due.

With the interest rates being what they are and prices being affected by the commercial paper crisis, the answer might very well be yes if the right property becomes available and you can afford a relatively important deposit.

Owning commercial real estate does have it’s advantages

Here are some:

You have choices

As the owner, you can decide whether to select a building that matches your current needs, has enough room for future expansion or maybe is large enough for you to lease parts of it.

Solid Equity

Every month, your payments are applied to paying down your mortgage and building some equity which could be useful eventually to secure a loan for new equipment, to finance an acquisition or simply as an asset.

Property Appreciation

Notwithstanding any unforeseen occurrences, your building should appreciate with time. This appreciation could, just as the above-mentioned equity, be used to get better financing conditions.

Power over your property

As the landlord, you are the person in charge of deciding how to finance the building, picking the tenants, choosing the decorations, selecting entrepreneurs for the work to be done, improving the building. You even have control over your rent rate.

If it’s so great, why doesn’t everyone do it?

The main reason why not everyone owns the commercial space they’re using is that, in real life, things don’t necessarily go exactly as in late night’s infomercials…

You can buy commercial real estate with no money down, especially if it’s because your money is bringing you more in another (safe) investment.

On the other hand, if it’s because your cash flow doesn’t allow you any flexibility and that you don’t have anything aside should things go a little unexpectedly, then you may want to seriously consider all the ramifications of the deal you are considering.

Your business’ cash flow growth stage

Is your business bringing you comfortable and predictable income which you are looking to invest or would spending an important part of your income hinder any growth possibility for the near future?

Will you be able to afford any substantial and sometimes unexpected expense should you have to do unexpected maintenance on your building?

Usually, a commercial property will require a 15% deposit, which in some cases, can end up being a lot of money.

Don’t forget you also have to factor in the price of insurances, taxes, and legal fees. Due to the importance of the figures involved in most commercial real estate transactions, I recommend you surround yourself with adequate representation meaning: a real estate agent with experience and a positive track record as well as financial and legal advisers.

Examining the tax perspective

I’m not a certified public accountant (CPA) and since all situations are unique, I strongly suggest you meet with a competent financial advisor who will help you evaluate your particular situation.

For now, keep in mind that in most situations, you will be able to use some of your expenses as depreciation to reduce your taxes or some of the rent as a personal income.

You make your money when you buy not when you sell

One last but extremely important factor to consider before making your decision is that you make your money when you buy but realize it when you sell.

Paying more than the fair market value, not taking into consideration your cash flow factors (mortgage, interest rates, insurance, taxes, and repairs VS incoming rent, other income possibilities such as parking for example) or letting your feelings dictate a purchasing decision may negatively affect your exit strategy for years if you are not careful.

Though appreciation is quite probable, I suggest you don’t factor it in when crunching your numbers: if the deal is still a good deal without factoring in appreciation, you are likely to make a favorable ROI (return on investment) when you decide it’s time to go for your exit strategy.

If you need appreciation to justify your purchase, be extremely careful as no one really knows what will happen in the future, and, in the present, you may be paying too much.

Discuss the situation with a real estate agent or agency known for its integrity like Brent Housing a real estate agency in Abuja.

Conclusion

I have highlighted the different aspects of buying a commercial property. Remember the advantages of being a landlord are; Choices, equity appreciation, and power. Make sure you carefully evaluate your future cash flow and you can afford the deposit. Get advice from a professional financial advisor about your tax situation and advice from a professional lawyer. Find a reputable real estate agency like Brent Housing to assist you through the whole process of buying real estate either commercial or residential.