Get yourself a slice of the commercial property pie

Posted by Tim Green Commercial on 16/09/2011

Think investing in commercial real estate is about brokering big deals on skyscrapers and new city developments? Think again. These days, anyone looking to invest can get a slice of the commercial property pie - but understanding how this particular type of investment works is key.

Commercial real estate vs "bricks and mortar"

Like residential real estate or buying a home, investing in commercial property is considered a longer term investment and a way of diversifying your assets. There are more options to consider and the expected returns will vary depending on a number of factors.

When investing in commercial property - consider the following:

• What are the terms of the existing lease? - first and foremost, every potential commercial property owner should examine the current lease terms to understand what their responsibilities as the landlord would be and what sort of return you can expect.
• Do the lease terms reflect the quality of the tenant? - for most investors, the appeal of acommercial real estate lease is a longstanding commitment as it will usually be much more challenging (and costly) to find a new tenant if your current tenant vacates. When investing, consider properties with good quality tenants and long lease terms - it'll be much less hassle and headache, especially if this is your first investment.
• Where are the premises? - when it comes to commercial property, location is paramount. This doesn't mean you're limited to premium property in the Sydney CBD. Look for listings along the main strips in smaller suburbs such as Glebe, Ultimo or Pyrmont - these types of properties will also have good tenant demand. Another consideration is to find areas with flexible development guidelines - it'll be easy to make updates and refurbishments that could substantially boost the value of your investment.

Should I team up or go solo?

For many first time investors, going solo on an investment is not a viable option as commercial real estate for sale can be valued well into the millions. Property syndicates that pool your investment with others are a good starting point - they can get you into the commercial property game for much smaller sums. The important thing to remember about property syndicates is that you need to be committed for the long haul. Do research before you sign up and make sure you keep clear records and have a strong understanding about the goings-on with your investment.

Resource Box

This article is brought to you by Tim Green Commercial. Find your next commercial property for sale or lease at Tim Green Commercial - the experts on finding great office space in Sydney CBD and surrounds.

About the Tim Green Commercial

Tim Green Commercial is a boutique Commercial Real Estate Agency in the Sydney CBD with listings for offices, retail shops and cafes, and investment properties for sale and lease. Visit their website for more information.