Article - Analyzing commercial property

October 2010

As a successful property investor, you will want to make a commercial property analysis of any real estate deal before you consider making the purchase. There are many factors which you should take into account while making your property analysis. Some of these factors which you should look at are: the location of the property, the price, taxes, local government and zoning laws, potential rental income, as well as the options you have for obtaining the property using an investment property mortgage loan.

Commercial property has many guidelines and regulations which must be followed. The last thing that you want to do is purchase investment commercial property, and then find out once you own it that you cannot lease it to the business you want, or that zoning permits you from using the property how you would like to. Whenever you are reviewing a commercial property analysis, it is vitally important to find out about the local governmental rules and regulations which will govern what you can and cannot do with the property in question. Look at what you had planned for the property and make sure everything is in agreement.

Taxes can be a big consideration when you are making a commercial property analysis. Some local areas offer tax incentives for commercial property owners and to certain businesses. If your property can meet the guidelines then you could possibly see a nice tax reduction. Also, if the area taxes commercial real estate at a high rate, you could be in for a real surprise if you did not consider taxes in your commercial property analysis.

Just as there can be tax incentives to buying commercial property in a particular area, the same can be said for financing options. Many commercial lenders have programs which fit a variety of different business and community needs. If your property qualifies you can see a nice reduction in your mortgage interest rate.

Another consideration is the rental rate of other commercial properties in the area. If many properties are sitting vacant that is a sign that you may have serious trouble renting to a business and keeping them for the long-term. This is important for your commercial investment analysis because the rent money is your income on the property.

In addition to all of the above considerations, the usual considerations still apply. You need to look at the location of the property and determine if it is in a good enough location for what it will ultimately be used for. What is the area around the property like? Will people likely come to the location if a business starts there? Who are the residents of the local area and will they benefit from your property's use?

You will need to look at the land and buildings and determine how much work and cost is likely involved in bringing things up to code and working order. Look at the offering price and consider if it is reasonable or if it needs to be adjusted because of the things you have found while looking at the other factors for your commercial property analysis.

While performing a commercial property analysis you should take all of the above into consideration. You also might want to consider hitting the pavement and talking to people in the area of your potential property purchase. See what the people who already live and work in the area think about the property.

Source: A Stratton 

Dy Associates is an Oakland Real Estate company specializing in commercial, home and investment property in the Oakland and East Bay Area. We provide real estate services including buyer agent, seller agent, short sales, commercial and investment aquisitions, loan facilitation, hard money lending, proerty management. Articles are provided as information only. We do not provide legal or general investment advice.