6 Things You Need To Know Before Buying Commercial Property

Guest Blog

In most circumstances, buying property can be considered a sound investment. This applies as much to commercial property as it does to a domestic property purchase. But in the same way that you would not buy a private house until you had gone through all the checks and put everything in place ready to make an offer, commercial property also requires that you attend to certain preliminaries before making any commitment. So here’s a list of six tasks which should definitely be on your to-do list.

  1. Does this property meet your business needs?

It’s true that a rental property may offer a business a certain extra degree of flexibility, but the downside is often that the business owner has little control over future rental costs. By comparison, a property owner agrees mortgage terms at the outset and therefore has much more control over future outgoings. In addition, where business tenants may have limited options to modify their premises, commercial property owners are free to make any alterations their budget (and the local planning laws) will allow.

It’s usually wise to invest in something slightly larger than you currently require. That means you have room for expansion when needed, and there’s always the option to rent out part of a building to generate additional income while leaving yourself some flexibility to make further changes as required.

Remember too to check ‘business basics’ like adequate parking facilities and good access to the transport links your business trading demands.

  1. Is this the most suitable type of property?

Unless you are an experienced investor, don’t buy a commercial property just because it’s an irresistible deal. Commercial property falls into distinct categories such as business offices, retail premises, industrial sites, leisure accommodation and special-function units like schools and petrol stations. As a novice, that means you should always go for purpose-built property and forget any ideas about conversions and/or complexities like possible ‘change of use’ applications.

  1. Have you set your budget?

Your pending commercial property purchase is a business acquisition and thus will need to feature in your business development plans. That in turn means exploring, and fixing, the budget you have available prior to searching the market. And given that this purchase is also a business investment, part of your planning should also quantify what return you would expect for this capital injection, and specify the period over which you will reap the rewards.

  1. Optimise the location

Most high-performing businesses will positively benefit from an optimum location chosen wisely. That means making relevant decisions e.g. about city-centre or out-of-town sites, the location of your potential market, how close you want to be to your rivals, as well as considering the future growth potential of the area.

This is one element where it will pay to speak to professionals such as estate agents and business brokers.

  1. Assess the local property market

To make an informed decision, you will need to check features such as: local commercial property values and pricing trends, property taxes, mortgage interest rates and rental values. This will give you detailed information about how much your proposed commitment might cost, and what returns you might expect. And as regards investment returns, your analysis will be more helpful if it can establish what your short-, mid-term and longer-term prospects will look like.

  1. Check commercial mortgage availability

There is, of course, little purpose in searching for a property if you are not eligible for mortgage funding. This should be considered as two separate issues:

  1. a) gaining acceptance ‘in principle’ for commercial mortgage funding up to a certain amount;
  2. b) securing a commercial mortgage on a property you intend to purchase.

Obtaining a mortgage in principle is largely a matter of having a good credit record and meeting a provider’s lending criteria, whereas agreeing a mortgage on a specified property is likely to involve detailed structural surveys and property assessments.

Here again, it is likely to be in your interests to seek specialist advice in each of these areas, especially given that commercial mortgage providers will require such detailed information to decide whether they wish to quote mortgage terms.

Finding a commercial property

You may find commercial properties listed on different online sites and perhaps be tempted to go it alone armed with your portfolio of information. However, just as in the domestic property market, the input of local professionals and/or those who specialise in your business sector can prove invaluable. They will ensure you find the best property for your needs and secure a good purchase deal which meets your business investment objectives.

By Matthew Hernon is an Account Manager at Dynamis looking after Business Transfer Agents, Franchises and Commercial Properties across BusinessesForSale.com, FranchiseSales.com and PropertySales.com.

Everything You Need to Know About Commercial Mortgages

Whether you’re thinking of investing in a property for your business or you want to free up equity from an existing property, a commercial mortgage could be the answer.

Here’s our guide to everything you need to know about commercial mortgages.

What is a commercial mortgage?

A commercial mortgage is a mortgage that is specifically designed for buying or refinancing land or property for business purposes.

Commercial mortgages are typically available to cover 70 – 75 percent of a property’s value, and usually last between three and 25 years. Business mortgage plans differ from standard residential mortgages in several ways.

You’ll likely have to pay a higher interest rate than a residential mortgage and there aren’t generally any fixed rates available. However, in comparison to business loans, commercial mortgages do tend to offer better rates as they are secured against the property.

Is a commercial mortgage right for you?

If you’re a business looking to purchase a property or release value from an existing building, which can then be re-invested into the business, a commercial mortgage could be for you.

There are several benefits to taking out a commercial mortgage, for example:

  • The interest paid on a commercial mortgage is tax deductible
  • If the property increases in value, your equity could also increase

Is it hard to get a commercial mortgage?

Anyone can apply for a commercial mortgage, from small start-up businesses through to large, well-established enterprises.

Of course, like any mortgage, to qualify for a commercial mortgage, you’ll need to pass your lender’s eligibility checks and meet certain criteria. These checks typically analyse:

  • Cash flow and any debts
  • Projected income
  • Your ability to pay a deposit, usually ranging between 20 – 40 percent of the loan amount
  • General income, credit and assets

Just like a residential mortgage, it’s important to search the market for the best possible deal available. What’s more, commercial mortgages are generally quite complex, hiring a specialist broker can help make the application process far easier, while ensuring that you get the best deal on the market.

At Stewart Hindley Commercial Finance, we’re experts when it comes to commercial lending. With extensive market experience and knowledge, we can provide information and advice, and source the best possible deals.

Get in touch for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your commercial mortgage requirements.

Commercial Property Finance – Invest in your Business

The Federation of small businesses reports that there were 5.6 million small UK business at the start of 2018, and the UK real estate market is still a very desirable investment. The appeal of owning commercial property, whether to run a business from it, or rent out the space is keeping the UK commercial property finance market a highly competitive industry.

There are many types of commercial property finance, and many factors that influence the type of lending required. Industry, length of term, size of business and client risk profile are all aspects that potential commercial lenders will assess.

Anyone can apply for commercial property finance from small start-ups to large established businesses. Some lenders are more specific to the industry for example; hospitality or retail and can offer more specialised plans depending on the property investment and circumstances.

Adaption and flexibility

Commercial lending has had to adapt in recent times as owners and tenants are demanding more flexibility. Commercial office space in particular has had an influx of people looking for flexible working spaces. The evolution of “hot desks” and remote working requires owners to provide shorter leases to tenants.

The commercial property finance industry has had to meet the changing needs of commercial property investors, moving away from very rigid lending solutions and offering more customisable commercial lending options.

Owner vs Tenant

The commercial property market is not just for investors. When owning and operating a business there are many reasons to consider commercial property finance and purchase a building as opposed to renting a space.

Depending on the type of commercial property acquired, mortgage payments may not differ greatly from rental payments. Property prices are frequently rising so there is always the opportunity for capital gains and a premises could experience a significant increase in value over a short time.

Expert Advice

Working with a broker like Stewart Hindley is advisable when considering commercial lending. Extensive market knowledge means they can source the best deal available and offer expert advice on how to proceed. Commercial property finance can be quite complex and it is important to have a strong understanding of what potential lenders may need and how to present an attractive proposal to successfully secure commercial lending.

Stewart Hindley Commercial Finance can advise the type of funding you are likely to need following a no obligation consultation and suggest the best approach.

Get in touch today to discuss options available.