It is said that location is everything in real estate. This is especially true when a business is looking for its best location. High traffic, accessibility, a good environment and favorable zoning, are all factors to consider. The following tips will help guide you through the process of finding that perfect place!
Mixed-use urban planning is a real estate development strategy that can add considerably to a property’s value. A property located in a neighborhood planned for mixed use will have shops, services and public projects located close by. In a mixed-use development many steps are taken to improve the neighborhood’s local character and reduce the residents’ reliance on cars. A home in such a neighborhood can be valuable – and pleasant to live in!
In commercial real estate, go ahead and go big. If you are already going to have to go through commercial financing to work a deal, then why not look at bigger properties? The cost per unit decreases the larger the property and management of a bigger property does not require an exponential effort to the number of units. The management of a a few units is virtually the same as managing a complex.
Be patient when handling a deal with a commercial property. The initial legwork is more involved than buying a home. There are more inspections, more work to be done and more paperwork to do. Build this time into your investment plans so that you won’t be caught off guard.
If you will be including utilities in your tenant’s rent, be sure to know the cost of those utilities before setting the rental amount. It can sometimes be easy to under estimate the cost of heat in the winter or air conditioning in the summer. Water bills can also vary by area. Having an accurate picture of utilities can keep you from under pricing your property.
Consider whether to manage your rental property on your own, or through a rental agency. On your own may be less expensive, but if there are problems in the future with unpaid rent, damages, or lawsuits, you will be glad to have someone on your side. Not to mention the inconvenience of having to find a plumber at 2am when the pipes freeze. Let someone else deal with the headaches.
To be successful in real estate, it is important to know one’s market. Oftentimes, relators who are successful in one market, such as large-scale commercial properties, will assume that their success will translate to other markets, such as small corporate properties. Doing the research to fully understand any new market that a relator is considering getting involved in is essential to sucess.
Outsourcing tasks outside of your country isn’t always a great idea. It’s true that Americans can get Indian labor for pennies on the dollar, but if your goal is long-term success, you should eat the extra charge to get the extra quality. You only want the most skilled people working for your business, and this means spending extra sometimes.
Hire a professional to rent out your income properties. Saving money can be tempting when it comes to doing it yourself, but the time involved and the pitfalls of making a mistake with a renter are not worth it. Your time is valuable. Let a property manager take care of your investment for you.
If you are buying or selling a house, there will be a lot of contracts to sign. Make sure you are aware of what you are putting your name on. These contracts are legally binding, and you could be making a large mistake and causing yourself a huge headache if you don’t take this seriously.
Even if you are very familiar with the process of investing in residential properties. Do not be overconfident in your ability to navigate through the complex and highly technical process and protocol of purchasing commercial properties as part of your real estate portfolio. This can save you thousands of dollars in legal or accounting mistakes.
These tips have increased your awareness of the playing field. You have learned how location can affect the success of businesses similar to yours. You have narrowed your options down and are looking at several potential locations. Now you are ready to take the final step toward success.