Everyone loves their home, and finding the perfect home can be pretty tedious. With this being said, the incremental trends of businesses are directing to the need for offices. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that every business starts from a small scale, and buying the right property is one step in the right direction. However, one cannot neglect the potential risks with commercial real estate.
Above all, you must understand that these risks will increase if you don’t monitor the pitfalls. So, we wanted to share the in-depth 20 details and facts told by the most successful commercial real estate agents to ensure you have a safe experience with real estate investment. Let’s get at it, then!
1- Buying The Property On Your Name
When it comes down to business owners, buying the real estate property in your own name is one of the biggest mistakes. With this being said, you need to buy the property in your business’s name. That’s to say because commercial properties have liability strings attached to them. Believe us; you don’t want to be liable for those issues, so use your business name as your shield.
2- Wrong Space Assessing Needs
People who fail to assess the space needs properly and don’t determine the potential need for spaces can lead to a failure. That’s to say, because such properties cannot cover the expansion. For instance, you can opt for leasing, but if you don’t consider the growth provisions, it can harm your business. Similarly, wrong space assessment might lead to overcrowding in the office, hence the lower productivity, leading to business failure and sunken costs.
3- Previous Utilization of Property
When you invest in commercial real estate property, you need to investigate the previous utilization of the space. This is because you don’t want to end up with environmental issues. For example, if you want to create a salon, and the property was previously used for butchering, it will be a hardball to play with insurance companies.
4- New Business Scale
If the business is in the development and initiation phase, buying the commercial real estate property will be a bad choice. That’s because you need to be financially stable and have finances at the backend for better utilization. In the same vein, always invest in your business for expansion purposes because a building tends to be illiquid.
5- Occupancy License
Whenever you invest in the commercial real estate market, you need to ensure that you’ve proper and valid licenses. These licenses must depict that property is ready to be occupied and used. This is because if you forget the licenses, it’s going to cost you a fortune. You can call the county to secure the occupancy licenses.
6- Zoning Ordinances
Before you invest in the property, you need to analyze and investigate the present zoning ordinances and land utilization. This will help see if the zoning ordinances permit your intended use. That’s to say, because if you don’t check the zoning ordinances, you might be a culprit of violations.
7- Wrong Location
If you need to make commercial real estate investments, you need to be extremely mindful of the neighborhood and traffic patterns. For instance, you need to assess the target market, location, employee’s residence, neighborhood, and property security. This is because a wrong location might even lead to business failure.
8- “As Is” Clause Rights
Whenever someone is selling the property online, they need to keep in mind that “as is” doesn’t mean they cannot disclose issues (which they must). This is because the seller is never absolved to “no reporting.” In case you are buying the property, you need to understand your rights and have ample information about the legal facts.
9- Public Listings
This is one of the most common mistakes that commercial real estate buyers tend to make. You must not rely on the public listings because those don’t have ample information available. This will impact the availability of better chances and options. So, we suggest getting in touch with a reliable broker who has ample information about your needs and prerequisites for public listing.
10- Move’s Timing
For businesses that are currently leasing the office, they need to be extra vigilant with the property move’s timing. We are saying this because the purchasing process might take around sixty to ninety days. The building impacts this period. Also, there are chances that you will need to renovate the space, which adds up to time. So, make a schedule and timing strategy.
11- Loan Issues
We are sure that you are an amazing borrower, but the lender can always turn down your request. With this being said, if the early-on loans fail, your real estate purchase timing will be impacted, and it can influence the business. You need to check different loan options before finalizing the property because having money beforehand is always a safer choice.
12- Letting Emotions Play The Role
When buying commercial real estate, keep in mind that you cannot let emotions and feelings take charge. These emotions might be ample for residential properties, but you need a strategic plan with commercial real estate purchase. For instance, you need to determine the location, utilization, size of the property, and historical performance. Even more, don’t let affordability take charge either.
13- Improper Planning
Every business owner needs to be proactive, and this proactiveness needs to play its role in commercial real estate purchases. Consequently, you need to line out plans and expectations, along with financial planning. Even more, you need to consider the expenses, upfront costs, mortgage payments, and income patterns.
14- Underwriting Requirements
So, you are purchasing the commercial real estate market, but you need to understand the lenders’ prerequisites. This must be considered before you spend energy, time, and money while looking for the perfect property. With this being said, you need to discuss everything thoroughly with the lenders and property sellers.
15- Higher Reliance On Brokers
Sure, the broker is important, but you must never rely on them colossally. As a buyer, you need to verify each piece of information on an independent basis. All in all, stay cautious and prudent while making real estate deals.
16- Incapable Attorney
Some people tend to buy commercial real estate properties without the assistance of an incapable attorney who has zero experience in the commercial real estate market. This is because the specialized attorney will better understand the deals’ intricacies and negotiation skills. Even more, they can help with the transactions, extensions, and diligence periods.
17- Being In Rush
As a business owner, do you make deals in a rush? Do you sign papers in a rush? We believe not. So, while buying the commercial real estate property, make sure you take your time and don’t rush anything. You need to consider the taxes, transportation, neighbor proximity, local community, budget, parking, and more in the same vein.
18- Due Diligence Issues
Whenever business owners are buying the property, most of them refuse to pay for the due diligence. With this being said, the improper due diligence might result in legal cleanup costs. So, rather than getting ghosted at first, make sure to implement the due diligence and access proper information.
19- Location Inconsistency
Whenever you have to buy a commercial real estate property, you need to ensure that you intend to utilize the same property for at least eight years. This is because if you don’t intend to stay at the same location, don’t buy the property altogether!
20- Liquidation Issues
If you aren’t focused enough, you might even buy a property that’s liquidation issues. Well, one must understand that circumstances changes with which the business will change. In the same way, you might even lead to let go of the property, and if the liquidation issues are there, the property will be hard to sell. So, be careful about the liquidation standards!
