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3 Reasons to Switch From Residential to Commercial Real Estate

Larry Alton
3 min read
3 Reasons to Switch From Residential to Commercial Real Estate

With the constant fluctuation of the stock market and an uncertain future that some say could lead to a recession (others say we’re already experiencing one), it’s time for you to get serious about investing in assets that will help you secure your future—like real estate.

It’s not that real estate isn’t affected by market fluctuations; it is. But its tangibility provides an extra layer of protection you don’t get with stocks. With a 401(k), you could spend your entire life pouring money into your account. Then, by the time you reach retirement age, if the market crashes, you could lose it all.

On the other hand, if the market drops or completely crashes, your real estate property doesn’t just disappear. You may have to wait years to sell it, sell for a lower price, or adjust the amount of rent you charge your tenants, but your asset still exists in the physical world.

This alone is the best reason to start investing in real estate—specifically commercial real estate. Here’s why.

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3 Reasons to Switch From Residential to Commercial Real Estate

1. Commercial real estate provides a larger ROI than residential.

As an investor, commercial real estate properties can provide you with a significant amount of extra yearly income, greatly adding to your net worth. Commercial properties can also be a better option than residential properties for a few reasons. Many people assert that it’s easier for them to secure large amounts of capital for a commercial deal than to generate lower amounts for a residential deal.

This is because residential investors are limited to traditional financing and private lenders. Commercial real estate investors, on the other hand, tend to pool their capital resources, and many small firms and financial companies are more likely to help in a joint venture because there’s more in it for them.

Related: A Look at the Pros & Cons of Investing in Commercial Real Estate

2. Some commercial properties virtually guarantee ROI.

Of course, nothing in life is absolutely guaranteed, there are some types of residential real estate and some types of commercial property that are better investments than others, simply due to the nature of the business conducted on the property. For example, the self-storage industry thrives in every season, and revenue doesn’t usually diminish when the market drops. There are millions of self-storage facilities across the United States, which means there are plenty of opportunities to invest.

Sometimes a drop in the market can actually increase revenue for self-storage facilities, because when people undergo foreclosure, sell their homes, or downsize to apartments, they need somewhere to store their property.

With self-storage facilities, since the entire building is custom built to accommodate the industry, no matter how many times the business changes hands, it will still be a self-storage facility. The demand for this business is almost always high. And while storage facilities can turn over ownership, they rarely go out of business, making the risk of having a vacant building extremely low.

Getting Organized Will Make You A Better Investor

3. You can increase the value of your commercial property.

Property value for residential properties is determined by a fairly arbitrary process based on the average comps of surrounding properties. So even if you’ve completely renovated your home with massive upgrades, tile imported from Italy, a personal Jacuzzi in every bathroom, and walls lined with gold trim, your property will be valued comparatively with the neighborhood properties.

Commercial real estate takes a more sensible approach to value assessment. While the local comps are still considered, the overall value is based on the amount of revenue generated by the property.

Generally speaking, the higher the revenue, the higher the value. This means you can actually stimulate the appreciation of your property by finding ways to increase revenue.

But like any investment, you’ll want to do your due diligence before jumping into an investment. There are many mistakes you could make while investing in commercial real estate. It’s best to learn how to avoid these mistakes from someone who has decades of experience.

Related: The Top 10 Commercial Real Estate Due Diligence Mistakes (From a 31-Year Veteran Investor!)

Increase Your Net Worth More Rapidly With Commercial Property

Investing in commercial real estate is a lucrative business decision for anyone serious about increasing their net worth and expanding their portfolio with tangible assets. And since our entire society is built around the existence of shopping centers, office complexes, and so on, investing in commercial real estate is a great way to secure your future for years to come.

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What do you think? Do you prefer residential or commercial real estate—and why?

Leave your comments below!

 

Note By BiggerPockets: These are opinions written by the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of BiggerPockets.