Sunday, March 9, 2014

Helpful Tips Before Choosing Commercial Investment Properties

By Jaclyn Hurley


Information about residential properties is readily available on different platforms. People also have extensive knowledge about them because most have rented them at a certain point in time. This is not the case with commercial properties. In order to get full benefits when one opts for commercial investment properties, it is good to understand a few things.

Although the default option for most people is residential units, it is good to consider commercial ones because they offer more options. For example, one can choose from retail, industrial establishments or even offices. This therefore means you should not feel tied down to a specific area if it does not present sufficient benefits.

Unlike residential properties, which have a lower risk threshold, commercial properties have higher risk because they tend to stay vacant longer and therefore the returns are significantly higher. On average, if you get a five percent return from flats, you should expect around eight percent from an industrial complex. This means that you can recover the money you spend much faster.

When investing in any property, you have to give attention to the kind of tenant you are getting. Luckily, for business units, you are likely to get a high quality client especially if it is a large unit such as a warehouse or big office complex. The duration the unit is leased is also likely to be longer than that of a residential unit, which is around six to twelve months.

In many cases, the tenant you get for this kind of property pays most of the outgoing costs. These are things like council rates, insurance, repairs and maintenance. This means that part of your burden is lifted since you will be able to keep a huge part of the money collected. With residential units, you have to cater for many other costs reducing your profits. Remember, to check whether these terms are stated in the lease agreement that you sign.

Although you will get benefits by choosing this form of investment, it is good to be prepared because there are a few challenges too. One of these is the higher cost of entry especially when compared to residential units. This is normally the case because property costs more around central business districts and industrial areas. The only way out is choosing smaller strata title property.

Commercial properties also incur higher maintenance costs when the need arises. This is because you have to do more than just changing the paint on the walls or the floor covering. The place might require a new air conditioning system or upgrades to meet safety or health concerns. Remember, the tenant might not get an operating license if the renovations are not done so there is no compromise.

With the highlighted tips in mind when investing in commercial properties, you can be sure of getting a good outcome. This will allow one to reap enough benefits from the investment you have made. One might also be able to avoid some issues affecting investors such as very high property costs and long vacancy periods for the available units.




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