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Commercial real estate investing is a dynamic and lucrative venture that involves acquiring and managing business properties. Commercial real estate includes a diverse range of assets, including office buildings, retail spaces, industrial warehouses, hotels, and many more.
Conducting thorough research and being diligent in your approach is essential for success in the commercial real estate market. If you are prepared to venture into your first commercial real estate investment, read on to gain insights on the market of commercial real estate.
Things To Know Before Investing
Commercial real estate offers the advantage of investing in multiple properties, creating diverse income streams..
Moreover, the income potential in commercial real estate is significantly higher compared to residential real estate.
Commercial properties often transfer the responsibility for property taxes, maintenance, and insurance to the tenants, lightening the burden on investors. When repairs are required, it is the tenant who shoulders the associated costs.
While the potential returns are appealing, the higher price tags of commercial properties may intimidate new brokers or investors. Arranging a large down payment required to secure financing for commercial properties can be challenging to many investors.
Despite these challenges, entering the world of commercial real estate investing is more accessible than one might think. As mentioned earlier, commercial properties offer a reliable source of both active and passive income, making them an enticing investment opportunity for those willing to navigate this rewarding market.
Passive or Active Investments
When considering commercial real estate investment, you must decide between passive and active approaches- each with its own set of characteristics. In passive real estate investment, the investor takes a more hands-off role, rather than owning or managing the property. The income is generated through equity splits, preferred returns, or dividends.
Real Estate Investment Trusts
One popular avenue for passive investment is Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), which pool funds from multiple investors to acquire and manage various commercial properties. Investors receive dividends as a result of their participation. Additionally, REITs offer attractive tax benefits, especially when at least 90% of the income is distributed as dividends.
Real Estate Exchange-Traded Funds
You can also explore Real Estate Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). It allows you to invest in multiple REITs. A fund manager selects real estate securities, including various commercial properties, to spread the investment across several sectors and companies, thereby mitigating risk.
Active Investments
On the other hand, active commercial real estate investments differ in the sense that you play a more involved role. By owning a portion of the investment, you bear the risks and liabilities associated with property management. In many cases, active investments yield higher income than passive ones.
Managing Active Commercial Real Estate Investments
Active commercial real estate investing involves the process of finding, funding, acquiring, and managing properties. As an active investor, you will bear the responsibility for the success or failure of your investment, even if you have a team of other investors.
Here’s how you should approach such investment opportunities:
- Sector: Start by deciding which sector of commercial real estate you want to invest in. Options include commercial apartment buildings, office spaces, retail stores, or industrial buildings. Analyze the demand for the specific type of property you are interested in and understand how to invest strategically in that sector.
- Ideal Target Location: Once you’ve identified the sector, focus on finding the ideal location. Working with a broker can be beneficial in this stage. Review the Offering Memorandum (OM), which outlines the property’s current performance and potential income. This information will help you make informed decisions.
- Letter of Intent (LOI): Prepare and submit a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) to the seller, outlining your purchase intentions and terms. If both parties agree on the terms, you can proceed to formalizing the contract.
- Funding: Explore various loan options to secure funding for the investment. These may include conventional loans, government loans, syndication, or owner financing. The bank will assess the property’s value and your business plan, experience, creditworthiness, and net worth before granting a loan.
- Property Inspections: Before finalizing the deal, conduct thorough property inspections. You may commission property inspection reports, Phase I environmental surveys, and boundary surveys. Ensure you secure financing before proceeding with inspections.
- Acquiring the property: Once all due diligence is complete, close the deal on the property. At this stage, you become responsible for managing the investment. This includes hiring management companies, marketing the property, making necessary capital improvements, and finding tenants.
Commercial Real Estate Investing Mistakes
As a commercial real estate investor, understanding what not to do is just as crucial as knowing what to do. Top investors already recognize the significance of mitigating risk. Here are some common mistakes that you must steer clear of:
- Incorrect Valuations: Every commercial property is unique, and investors must account for the variations found in each asset. Failing to consider every detail in a property’s valuation can lead to a financial disaster. Accurate property valuations set the foundation for successful decision-making throughout the investment process.
- Financial Ignorance: Ignorance of the financial intricacies in commercial real estate investing can have devastating consequences. Commercial deals differ significantly from residential ones, and investors must learn and understand these differences, such as loan-to-value (LTV) and debt service coverage ratio (DSCR). Familiarity with these financial metrics is vital to make informed and profitable investment choices.
- Neglecting Due Diligence: While quick decision-making is crucial in today’s market, it should never come at the expense of due diligence. It is better to lose a deal to a well-prepared investor than to rush into a sketchy investment.
- Solo vs. Team Effort: Attempting to save money by handling everything independently can be detrimental to your investment success. Collaborating with experienced professionals who specialize in various aspects of commercial real estate will ensure that you make better-informed decisions.
Conclusion
The market for real estate can be tricky. So it is wise to really know what you’re doing instead of winging it at every step. Do your homework before embarking on your investing journey.
Like any investment, commercial real estate comes with inherent risks, but your success lies in finding ways to mitigate those risks.
By leveraging the systems that have proven successful in residential real estate and seamlessly applying them to your commercial strategy, you are bound to find success in this venture.
