Investment advisers often encourage investors to include a little real estate in their stock portfolio. The value of commercial real estate tends to be affected by larger market issues, rather than being directly affected by the sub-prime problems that plagued the residential real estate market. If you want to invest in commercial real estate or buy your own business site, you can make a profit.
As you begin looking for land for sale, understand your needs and motivations for buying or selling real estate. If you're buying a business site, consider the demographics of the traffic that frequents potential properties and determine if those people would help grow your business. When you plan to rent property, be aware of the agreements between the current owner and tenants, the condition of the property and the rental culture of the city.
As you enter the real estate market, arm yourself with a few essentials:
1. Find a knowledgeable real estate agent who will look out for your best interests;
2. Be aware of local zoning rules; and,
3. Use a real estate appraiser with solid training and high standards who will conduct a thorough appraisal.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Newspapers offer options to find and sell real estate
The old-fashioned method of looking through the classifieds in your local newspaper to find real estate works better than ever now that newspapers have gone digital. Not only do newspapers list classifieds, but they often include a search tool that allows you to view properties online with photos or video tours. In addition, you can find links to foreclosures, real estate agents and other advice that can help you make the best decision for your company's bottom line.
I recommend: As a part of their website, many newspapers offer links to their classified pages or interactive real estate pages. For instance, find California real estate on the
Los Angeles Times website and Arizona real estate in the classifieds at the
Arizona Daily Sun.
Check out city guides for neighborhood information and real estate tools
Many cities, small and large, offer online city guides that provide tools to search for real estate and also describe local neighborhoods, economies and values.
I recommend: Check out city guides to find real estate listings in any city where you plan to do business. Find Arizona real estate at
HelloTucson.com or
HelloPhoenix.com or search
Chicago real estate or
New York real estate in area city guides.
Talk with local real estate agents about land for sale
If you have an area in mind where you would like to invest in real estate or locate your business, talk with a local real estate agent to find out about neighborhoods, zoning requirements, the number and type of renters in the area, high-traffic areas and other inside information that you may not find elsewhere.
I recommend: Check with the
Florida Association of Realtors to find a good Florida real estate agent. Search by name or location to find a
Texas real estate agent.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Not all real estate appraisers are created equal. Laws regarding real estate appraising vary from state to state. Not only should you check out the certification and training of your appraiser, but you also need to know what items the appraisal will cover. Compare companies and check reputations with your real estate agent.
Related Resources from Business.com
Best Sites to Learn More
Comments
Is any content on this page inappropriate? To let us know, please 
