1. Commercial lending is the best it’s been in decades
Don’t believe what you hear when it comes to commercial loans not being available; they are plentiful and at the lowest interest rates I’ve ever seen on commercial property. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans were once known as long and painful and about as much fun as a root canal! Well, the times have changed and so have SBA Loans. Be sure to get with your real estate broker to locate a dependable and professional SBA lender. You will be pleasantly surprised with the results and products you find.
2. The Bargains are far and few between
The word on the street is that commercial inventory is high. In some cases this is true, but I can tell you from first-hand experience that certain areas in the Phoenix area, such as north Phoenix and north Scottsdale, have very low inventory. A lot of the inventory you will find may not be suitable for you and may typically be in a bad location, have problems, etc. In other words – the good buys and good properties are nearly gone! Don’t take my word for it; get your real estate broker to pull comps and listings for you. Don’t wait any longer; get out there and find that piece of property you need!
3. Different commercial verticals are on the rise
Whether it’s healthcare, general office or anchor retail, residential areas that realized significant growth four or five years ago are finally getting the local commercial amenities needed to help these communities thrive. The simple act of going to a grocery store has been very cumbersome for some outlying residential subdivisions. The good news is these empty commercial buildings are finally filling up, and the sellers are offering great incentives to buyers such as tenant improvements, deep discounts and even seller carry-backs in some cases.
4. Commercial growth and construction will begin to increase again
While the inventory flies off the shelves and vacant properties fill up, commercial construction will once again begin to increase leaving the commercial buyer in a supply and demand dilemma. Let’s face it; we all want a good deal, and if you look hard and long enough you and your commercial real estate broker will find one; but be ready, the odds are you’ll have to act fast to get your offer accepted.
5. Commercial Real Estate Brokers are in The Know
When you make the decision to start your real estate adventure, make sure you work with a local commercial real estate broker who knows where the deals are, what’s happening with current growth patterns, and what large employers are in the area. He or she should also have in-depth knowledge of the city’s zoning laws where you are looking. These key pieces of knowledge and good negotiation skills are going to be your secret weapon when it comes to getting a good deal on your next commercial real estate purchase.
So, you’ve heard me rant on and on about how you need to buy commercial real estate now. I can’t stress to you enough that the good properties are not getting cheaper, interest rates will likely get higher and commercial construction will, again, begin to pick up leaving the commercial buyer with a sense of, “I missed the boat.”
Stop waiting; don’t miss the boat, and get out there and buy the property you need; and remember to hire a licensed commercial real estate broker for all of your commercial needs.
Happy Buying!
These tips are provided by Pete Baldwin, designated broker and owner of Platinum Realty Network with offices in Scottsdale and Flagstaff, Ariz. With over 25 years of experience in business and real estate, Pete specializes in country club communities and second home investments, including large commercial portfolios. He also owns an Arizona branch of a family-owned, Montana-based company Baldwin Log Homes – Arizona Territory and has become the area leader in full- custom, handcrafted log homes in Northern Arizona. For more information, please visit www.PeteBaldwin.com.
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