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Make Easy Money Online: Become a Commercial Real Estate Property Scout

There are lots of ways to make easy money online. I am sure you have seen many of them in your email inbox.

One opportunity you may not be aware of is becoming a Commercial Real Estate Property Scout.

What?s a Commercial Real Estate Property Scout?

It?s a person who finds property for investors which meet a specific acquisition criteria.

Here?s the deal: This opportunity has nothing to do with sales, data entry, or any of those other possible questionable online business opportunities you may be aware of.

A Property Scout uses the Internet to search real estate listing databases for properties which meet the investors criteria. There are literally hundreds of these databases, many of which are free to use.

Advantages of the Opportunity

There are many things which make this opportunity attractive.

First, the price to get involved is very modest. It?s under $100 dollars.

Second, the money is really good. Frankly, there?s no comparison between what you can earn doing this and all the rest of the opportunities combined. It truly is one of the ways to make easy money online.

You can really earn hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.

Third, the support the company offers is incredible. While they won?t handhold or baby sit you, they will provide the weekly training, personal direction and weekly Q&A so that you can be successful?that?s more than any of the other opportunities do.

The fourth thing, is that you really can do this from home. There?s no travel involved. Plus it really only requires about twenty hours a week of work on a consistent basis.

The best part for me is that the company, Maverick Real Estate Investments, isn?t one of those schlocky companies promoting the next business opportunity. It?s real. And they sincerely want to see you successful because the big money for everybody involved is made when you find a promising property.

They?re committed to training you to be successful at it.

Maverick Real Estate Investments is in the commercial real estate business. That?s their purpose. And they?ve set up this business opportunity, so that they can attract people to help them find properties which fit their profile for acquisition.

It makes perfect sense if you think about it.

Disadvantages of the Opportunity

Are there bad points? Yes, a small one. But you really can?t blame the company for it, it?s just the nature of the commercial real estate industry.

If you need to make money right away, this is not the opportunity for you. Patience is key. While you can realistically make six figures and up a year, the fact is it takes time to find a property the investors want to acquire. It has to fit their profile (which they?ll thoroughly train you in).

And even when you find a property that meets their profile, they need the time to do whatever it takes to turn the property around which could take as long as 18 months to do.

But still, you have to admit it?s really good money. And let?s face it, you were to go into business for yourself, it would take that long AT LEAST to turn a modest profit?and nowhere near the money you?d earn as a Property Scout.

Now, they do offer an interesting way for you to get paid faster. But I wouldn?t recommend it, unless you really needed the money. You can get paid $15,000 when they buy the property and $15,000 again when they sell the property. It?s good money, but they prefer you to be partner with them and pay you when they sell the property and there are profits to be dispersed. It eases their cashflow.

Summary

In nutshell, this opportunity is legit. It?s lucrative. People ARE making money?and a lot. And it?s a profession which you can easily do from home using the Internet. Although it?s not perfect, it?s one of the few easy ways to make money online which is realistic and easily doable.

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If for no other reason, you should use a secondary source as confirmation for the rates you view on a primary source.

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Commercial Real Estate: Asking the Right Questions

There are many “insider” commercial real estate secrets. One of the most important secrets is knowing the right questions to ask when investigating a commercial property investment. While I’m not going to cover all of the potential questions in detail, I will make you aware of some of the key issues. I’m also going to suggest some places to go for assistance.

Investing in real estate is a complex process. Unfortunately, far too many people jump into this complicated marketplace without the knowledge, training, and tools needed to be successful. It doesn’t help that we have hundreds of self-styled “gurus” selling the latest no-money-down-get-rich-in-three-minutes programs to confuse and demoralize the un-initiated when things don’t work out “as advertised.” These first-time real estate investors are often disappointed in the results they achieve and as a result, often abandon real estate investment entirely without realizing just how lucrative it can be.

Asking the right questions can greatly increase your probability of success, as can learning as much as possible about the world of commercial real estate. This is not an overnight process. One of the best place to start is to learn about your local commercial real estate market. In fact, being aware of the status of your local market can literally be half of the battle.

For example, when purchasing land it’s important to understand that the price of particular parcel varies according to a number of factors. These can include the relative abundance or scarcity of similarly sized and located parcels, the population’s growth trends for the area, and the proximity to good employers. Raw land buyers need to ask plenty of questions about such factors as local zoning laws, land use restrictions, utility easements, traffic patterns, other planned development, the permit process, and other issues. The answers to these questions can have a profound impact on the purchase price of the land and its final, developed value. Where do you go? Your city planning or building department is a great place to start, as is the local utility company. Also check in with a title company or active escrow company for contacts at the city and knowledge in their specialties.

These aforementioned factors are also important when it comes to buying existing commercial real estate, including retail, office, warehouse, and mixed use properties. Knowing the restrictions on building and use of property is essential to successful real estate investment, so investors need to learn where, how, when, and of whom to ask these questions.

One of the next best places to turn to for the answers is a commercial real estate agent, called a “broker,” familiar with the area in which you have an interest. You can even ask the broker representing a specific property. But, when asking your questions of a broker representing a specific property keep in mind that he or she is working for the seller of that property, not you. A local bank loan office or independent mortgage broker are good sources to consult for alternative opinions.

Investing in commercial real estate isn’t too different from investigating a crime scene. You need to ask tough questions and find the evidence to back up the statements. It can sometimes be a tough process, but asking the right questions will only increase your chances for a profitable transaction.

About the Author

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete statement with it: ‘Craig Higdon, “The Investment Property Insider,” works as a commercial mortgage broker. He publishes the weekly “Investment Property Insider” e-zine and blog, www.InvestmentPropertyInsider.com. Visit the blog and get a complimentary report on commercial financing techniques.’

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Getting Involved In Commercial Real Estate Investing

People choose residential and commercial real estate investing for many reasons. They may find that the property market is safer than the stock market, the potential for monetary returns is much higher than in other areas, or they enjoy buying old homes, remodeling them, and selling them for a much higher price than what they bought them for.

Whatever the reasons, investing in property requires people to know a little about the market, how to buy and sell homes quickly, and when to walk away from a potential deal. People who want to invest in should also understand tax laws and land laws in their area before they spend money in the housing market.

Taking a few business or real estate classes is a good idea for those who are just starting out. These classes are offered through colleges, private schools, or agencies. Lectures about selling will provide valuable information about what to look for when buying a home, where to spend money on improvements, and where to advertise when selling a home. Real estate investing will take up a lot of time, but the pay off could be great. Some people will sell a few homes and then retire on the money they have made. By making good business decisions, this can be the reality for many people.

Your not limited to just residential properties either. Commercial real estate investing includes properties such as retail space, office buildings, warehouses, and storage facilities are also have great potential for making money. Investing in this type of thing will generate a monthly income as long as the space can be rented out for most of the year. Those who are careful about who they rent their building to could have a steady income for a few years. Most leases on commercial properties are at least three years or more. Selling these properties can also benefit a person if they can buy another one after making the sale.

When looking at a piece of property, there is more to look at than its potential for making money. People need to investigate the plumbing, electrical, and roof structure before making a purchase. These can be very expensive to replace and may require too much time. While a home or commercial property may be large enough, the property itself may be too small.

It is important to research what these properties are worth and how much they may be worth over time when getting into residential and commercial real estate investing. This will be one of the deciding factors when purchasing property. Since the market is continually changing, property values will constantly shift from high to low. It is important to be aware of these shifts and only buy property when it will be profitable.

About the Author

Craig Thornburrow is an acknowledged expert in his field. You can get more free advice on creative real estate investing and real estate investing at http://www.realestateinvestingguru.com

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Chula Vista Ca Real Estate

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Commercial Real Estate: Becoming A Market Expert - Part #6: Focus On The Area Of The City With The Zoning You Need

By now, you?re probably pretty well acquainted with the process on of focusing on the property type and area you want. You know the zoning which supports it and you?ve reviewed in detail the zoning maps.

Now what? It?s time for some legwork. You want to put into use some of that book learning and researching you?ve been conducting.

Take a look at your zoning maps with highlighter in hand. Now highlight the areas you want to go look at. Then you get in your car and drive around to take a look at those areas and neighborhoods.

It?s that simple. It will be an eye-opening experience.

Here?s what you want to do specifically:

First, and most importantly, take your time. This isn?t a race. There?s no winners or losers for getting it done quicker.

The expedition is about gathering information and getting a feel for the area. Your goal is to review the area and the properties on an overall basis.

As you drive around the area, take note of any properties which are in transition. Meaning they have signage that says ?For Lease?, ?For Sale? or ?Sold?. When you get back to your office check out the history of those properties. Call the owners, brokers or agents to find out more about each of the properties.

Why would you want to do that?

Well, for one thing you are looking for pricing information. For instance, how are people paying per square foot? What are the terms and conditions. The ones that are for rent are wonderful indicators, because you?ll be able to piece to together the income potential for the area.

Number two, you want understand how the market is appreciating over time. Plus, it is wonderful feeling to discover a diamond in the rough.

Number three, if a property is for sale, it just might be up your alley (no pun intended). And you can start the process of analyzing whether the property is a good deal.

Now, that you are starting to get a feel for the area, go ahead and visit the other areas highlighted on your map. You?ll notice similar but different transitionary aspects of each sub-market you scout out.

This is where it gets really interesting. Start to ask yourself why the changes. What are the reasons for the appreciation or lack of appreciation. Then get your answers from the brokers or owners you are representing the properties.

It?s important that you ask these people because they definitely have the answers you and need going forward. Your knowledge of the market will give you the opportunity to talk intelligently about the opportunities as well as the advantages and disadvantages.

The best part is you?ll start to make some good contacts, and maybe even friends or future investment partners.

As you continue driving around you?ll begin feeling more and more comfortable. The process will become easier and you?ll start to notice the nuances and details. And then you?ll automatically start making comparisons and evaluations.

Again, it is vitally important you take your time and take the time to enjoy the process of discovery.

About the Author:

Tony Seruga, Yolanda Seruga and Yolanda Bishop of http://www.maverickrei.com specialize in commercial and investment real estate. As of May, 2006, they and their partners are managing over $600 million dollars worth of new projects.

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Commercial Real Estate for the Beginning Investor

Commercial real estate has been reserved for the financial and investment savvy entrepreneur, those who have an ?in? through a strong mentor, and those who for some reason, just figure it out for themselves and become wildly successful from nothing.

Commercial real estate is absolutely available to those who seek it out. I am going to assume you have a deep desire to become wealthy and live the lifestyle of a successful entrepreneur. Despite what many people think, commercial real estate does not require perfect personal credit, a multi-million dollar bank account (although it definitely helps), financial expertise or investment savvy strategies. There are people to cover every task for you- it is a matter of learning everything you possibly can about the industry and coordinating the right people to work for you. In order to be the commercial real estate investor you dream about, it takes getting the right information from the right people.

Commercial real estate investing can be done by even the most average and non-average of people- a little motivation and willingness to learn, and you can easily be on your way to being a very successful, profitable commercial real estate investor.

The first step in being a successful commercial real estate investor is to get to know your community. That?s right, your own back yard. You need to know the buildings, how much they are worth, and who owns them. It is time to become a detective and identify trends or patterns within your local market. There may be specific apartments that are being poorly managed and are about to go into foreclosure, or a new mall in the development plan about three years from now and purchasing the 100 acres around the future building site at the very inexpensive price of $15,000 per acre is going to be worth over $200,000 per acre once the mall goes under construction.

Attend your local planning and zoning meetings, investing meetings, and chamber of commerce. Make your presence slowly by watching and seeking out the noticeable successful investors and decision makers within your community. What do they do? What have they been responsible for? You will also begin to understand the value of properties in your community, where certain properties are beginning to decrease in value due to poor management and outdated amenities, as well as what opportunities you may take advantage of in the future.

The second tip is to read, read and read on everything commercial real estate. You need to understand the industry inside and out to truly be successful. Have a certain type of property you enjoy, such as apartments or office parks? Then focus in a certain area. How about a specific strategy such as purchasing foreclosure, bankruptcy or declining properties and adding extreme value to the bottom line? Or perhaps you are interested in simply holding properties and then selling when the market demands the ultimate price. The more you know, the more successful you can become.

The last and most effective tip I am going to give you today is to seek out a successful commercial real estate investor whom you can study, model after and even adopt as a mentor.

Who do you notice in your community that is always ahead of the commercial real estate game? Repeatedly purchasing properties and creating value within the community. Ask these people for advice- but always come prepared. Schedule a meeting or a nice dinner or lunch meeting. Always thank them for their time and send a thank-you gift explaining how the information helped you and that you look forward to their next meeting. Offer to help in any way you possibly can- simply for the education.

I think you would be surprised how many people would be willing to teach you the ropes for a helping hand. Always listen and approach the situation as a learner- not an expert. Never step on their toes and take in the experience. Watch for details, specific strategies and eventually you too will be one of the big players in the industry.

Have a passion for success? A desire for wealth? Feel the need to give back and create good environments for those people? Then listen and learn. There is nothing the successful commercial real estate investors are doing that you cannot do too. Believe this and really get to know the industry. You will find yourself completely successful just by following the people before you and the strategies they use. Rely on professionals to cover areas that you need assistance in and do not let obstacles stop you from achieving your dreams.

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Tips For Finding A Commercial Real Estate Agent

When it comes to finding the right commercial real estate agent, it?s not easy. The right agent can mean the difference between saving literally thousands of dollars in commission as well as making you millions of dollars. The right agent can save you time, which is money.

Questions to ask an agent

When you are ready to hire a commercial real estate agent, ask some key questions. First, ask the agent to send you information about himself or herself. By looking at the agent?s promotional materials and brochures, you can get a good idea about whether the person will be successful in terms of helping you find the right commercial real estate property or sell one you already have.

Second, ask the commercial real estate about his or her credentials, certification and education in terms of selling commercial properties. If the agent is a Realtor who has worked primarily with residential listings, you might want to wait until he or she has more experience before being a test subject. Commercial real estate deals are not only bigger deals that carry a higher price tag, but they require more expertise and specialized training and knowledge.

Third, ask the agent the average length of time it has taken for him or her to sell a commercial real estate property from the time it was listed to sold. To keep the matter in perspective, ask how he or she compares with the average of other people working in the same city or town. Just because he or she has sold properties in a few weeks, does not mean you will get the most money out of your deal. It may just mean it?s a seller?s market.

Fourth, ask whether the commercial real estate agent or broker has a support staff handling any of the major details. You may think you are hiring one person only to discover all of the grunt work and showings are going to be carried out by another agent. If that?s the case, make sure you interview the support staff as well to make sure it meets your needs.

Finally, find out how the Realtor or broker will determine the best listing price for your commercial real estate property. Or, if you are interested in buying a piece of property, find out if the Realtor has any vested interest in the property. Ultimately you want to make sure your agent is exclusively working with you and has your best interest at heart.

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Commercial Real Estate Negotiation Tips Every Investor Should Know

What do commercial real estate entrepreneur Donald Trump and his lawyer and confidant George Ross have in common? Sharp negotiation skills that others would love to have. In fact, they are known for making impossible deals possible.

Every great commercial real estate investor or entrepreneur must know how to negotiate- it is crucial to the business. You must know exactly what it is you want to accomplish before walking in, and know how to maneuver around demands.

While every commercial real estate investor has his or her own style of negotiations, there are two approaches that will win the deal in your favor.

With negotiations being such an important aspect of the commercial real estate investor?s livelihood and success, it is highly suggested that no one else does the negotiations. The person making the deal should be the one negotiating. You may have your lawyer or accountant there for consultation or support, but always do negotiations yourself. It will be far more effective.

There are absolutely two things you must do when headed into a negotiations situation- regardless if you think negotiations are going to be simple or challenging. The first is to always be prepared through homework and research. The other is to take your time. These two points seem rather obvious and simple at first glance, don?t you think? I wonder then WHY so many people refuse to do these two things before negotiating a commercial real estate deal, or any deal at all.

For example, would you go to purchase a car without knowing what it is that you want, what price you are willing to pay, and what the average purchase price was for the car that you wanted? I would hope not.

Coming prepared may require extra work on you and your team, but it is absolutely worth it when you want to make a deal happen. Understand what the other side wants and what they are going to do with the results. Did they have prior problems or have future goals? How does this deal pertain to those factors and what can you do to either help or hinder their operations?

Perhaps you can sweeten the deal with something they need or play hard ball by bringing up a topic that will force them to sway in your favor.

How would you handle their predicament any other way? You must know what you want and know their situation even better than they do. If they do not come as prepared as you, you will definitely have the upper hand. By understanding their situation you know how to maneuver around them and get what you really want- no matter what.

The second tip is to take your time. Many people go in and want to get the negotiations over and done with quickly. This is not to your advantage. You want to think of all avenues, have time to think and the other party thinks of any ramifications the deal might have. If you need to pull a factor in your favor, the longer you take and more time you spend negotiating, the more the other party realizes that you are going to get what you want, or no deal.

When you better understand the urgency, the true urgency of the other party (by coming prepared) you can better judge how to react to their demands. Always take your time, take it one point at a time and don?t rush it. Top negotiators would say this is your best approach.

Make these negotiation skills part of every negotiation- commercial real estate or not. You will find these tools effective in all negotiations, not just commercial real estate.

Do you too want to be a highly successful commercial real estate investor and entrepreneur, then learn these negotiation skills and never go against them. Take your time and come prepared. You will be very happy you did and your bank account will too.

About the Author:

Specializing in commercial and investment real estate, Tony Seruga, Yolanda Seruga and Yolanda Bishop are always searching for new and profitable commercial properties across the U.S. Visit http://www.maverickrei.com

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Being honest on your loan application is one of the best things you can do to receive a reasonable mortgage quote.

Darin Garman, CCIM - Top 3 Commercial Real Estate Investors Time Management Strategies

One of the questions I get asked a lot from clients is how do I manage
multiple real estate deals projects all at once? “How
to Succeed in Commercial Real Estate?” Here are some specific strategies
for you to consider:

a) Who to spend time with?

You need to consider spending BUSINESS TIME on only those who are going to
contribute to your bottom line and goal achievement. All else needs to get put
into the “we’ll get back to you” pile. It is easy to get locked up with people
that do nothing but take up your time. Don’t do it.

I constantly have people wanting to meet with me, talk with me, etc. that don’t
contribute to the achievement of my goals they get put on the bottom of the pile
and sometimes I never get back to them.

b) Keeping away from time vampires.

Time vampires are those that call you, come into your office, and tell you
the “whole story” constantly. You need to politely tell these people “adios”.
You ever notice that you have those days where you have a lot of activity and by
the end of the day you really have not gotten anything done? Time vampires are
the main reason why.

c) Having a clear objective in the first place.

What are your goals, your objectives?? Where do you want to end up? How do
you plan on getting there? Without a plan you will be spinning your wheels and
the cash flow and value of your will suffer because of it.

So, there you go. We did not reinvent anything today, but it is surprising how
the use of your time is tied to your income and the results you want.

About the Author

From Darin Garman, CCIM:

If you have not taken advantage of my special limited time 2 month
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How to Succeed in
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Beginners Guide to Your Commercial Real Estate Lease

Trying to completely cover the leasing process in a few paragraphs would be understating its importance. Your rent will be one of, if not the single largest monthly expense. Upon finding a location satisfactory, you must then be able to negotiate the lease to terms which will facilitate your startup, coincide with your anticipated opening (which in our industry is imperative), insure your long-term profitability, and make it possible for you to sell your business in time to someone who may continue on successfully. In order to do so, you must understand that everything is negotiable in a lease. Anything is fair game for discussion. And the stronger your business plan and financials, you will find the more flexible landlords will be.

Negotiating a commercial real estate lease needn’t be a battle. Remember, and you shouldn?t have to remind the landlord of this, that it is in both of your best interests that you are successful. If you lease on bad terms, you go out of business, and they have no tenant. In fact, many landlords now recognize that providing “superior tenant service” begins by making the lease negotiation process as simple and efficient for tenants as possible. As important as it is to arrive at a lease agreement that meets the needs of both tenant and landlord, long delays over minor details serve neither party.

It has become more commonplace that landlords have ?standard? alternate clauses prepared to substitute should the situation dictate. This prevents delays in legal counsel having to re-prepare specific language repeatedly.

If you choose to deal with an agent, make sure that they are looking out for YOUR best interest. Just hiring an agent doesn?t commit them to your success. Bear in mind that oftentimes they are going to be paid by the landlord for filling the space. Building a relationship with your agent can be done, just as building a relationship with your banker, your realtor you bought your home with, or your advertising agent ? with communication. Ask around, ask other agents, ask the agent questions, leave nothing to question.

Terminology

Some basic terminology, to simplify the explanation process.

Request For Proposal (RFP): To be sent, via your agent, to the landlord to request a copy of their standard lease form agreement. The RFP will address many important issues but should always include a section outlining the tenant’s expectations with respect to Common Area Maintenance (CAM) and Tax Escalation.

Standard Lease Form Agreement: The standard lease that every landlord has prepared for any commercial property up for lease. Terms and language may differ from property to property, landlord to landlord, but remain very similar in structure.

Base Rent: The asking price for the space itself, not including any taxes, maintenance, insurance, or any type of financed money that may be used for buildout.

CAM: Common Area Maintenance. Do not assume or mistake CAM for Triple Net, or you may be in for a surprise.

Triple Net: The total between the CAM, taxes, and insurance. Depending on the number of other tenants, you may pay a pro-rata share of this cost, or if you are a free-standing unit, you may have the entire cost.

Gross Rent: The base rent plus the Triple Net. This should be the amount you expect to pay throughout the lease.

Vanilla Box: Very vague terminology that can vary tremendously. Generally defined as primed drywall shell, concrete floor, basic commercial lighting, electrical to breaker box, and basic HVAC. Depending on the landlord?s understanding of a ?vanilla box?, you may walk into more or less than this. Make sure the ?vanilla box? is clearly defined in the lease.

CPI: Consumer Price Index. CPI is a government derived number to measure the value of a dollar relative to previous years. CPI is typically the factor used to figure any increase in lease amounts from year to year or during option periods because the government updates the number on regular intervals and it is easily accessed.

Build Out: Also called TI, or Tenant Improvement. This is the amount of money estimated to go from ?vanilla box?, to a finished club minus equipment. Build out is a major bargaining tool for you, especially while trying to startup with little cash on hand.

Option Periods: Option periods are the time periods, if any, following the initial lease period. Option periods are very important because of the potential fluctuation of lease amounts that may occur. This reveals the importance of the CPI and asking for a cap on the increase. You must define as stringently as possible the costs operating in the future of your business. If not, you may end up paying whatever the market will bear, and that could either put you out of business, kill your profits or business value, or make is simply impossible to sell.

Before getting into specifics of the lease, remember your objective: Secure the space you want, at the best rate possible, keeping as much money in your pocket as possible, until you decide you want to/are able to, sell at a good price to someone who can continue to make money. When you sell your business you are selling this lease also, so make sure you negotiate with that in mind.

A brief overview of the basics of a lease:

An initial lease period of (x) years, option periods to extend after the initial period. If the landlord is uncomfortable with the option periods, you may extend your initial period to 7 or even 10 years, depending on your assessment of the area. For a longer lease term, if your business plan and financials are strong enough, you may negotiate for a lower lease amount per square foot. Security over a longer duration is more valuable to the landlord than high dollar, short term, shaky tenants.

When negotiating option periods, your objective is to define your future rent as accurately as possible. To do so, the rent should be adjusted relative to the CPI, and a cap of no more than three percent yearly should be in place.

I recommend asking for a number of months free rent and/or half rent for several months, from the date the Certificate of Occupancy is issued. Your business needs time to get healthy and grow, and this no rent/reduced rent period facilitates that.

When negotiating the buildout, the ideal scenario for you would be that the entire amount will be paid by the landlord. Again, if you have the financials and the business plan, the likelihood of this happening goes up. Even if you don?t have strong statements, you can still get some help here. You may get a percentage of the buildout paid for (ideally the larger ticket items ? HVAC, electrical, etc.), or the landlord may factor the amount into your lease and you repay it over time, or a combination. Be careful that any concession on the landlord?s behalf isn?t overcompensated for in your dollars per square foot lease amount. If the landlord refuses to pay for any of the buildout, you may have to get them to move on the free/discounted rent duration, or some other facet of the lease.

You should be able to sublet space in your own space to another small, related business. This may be chiropractic, massage, or physical therapy. All considerations should be included, from insurance and liability to the access to the building allowed to these subcontractors.

There should also be a specific clause in the lease pertaining to your right to assign the lease without undue landlord interference. At any point you decide it is time for you to sell, dealing with a generic right to assign clause is a headache you want to avoid. This is a clause that you may want to have your attorney draw up, to make sure it is strong enough to prevent a problem.

The Lease should contain exclusions that the landlord will not accept competing businesses in the same center or specified area. This should include all other fitness centers, and may include tanning centers, weight loss centers, supplement stores/juice bars, massage therapists, etc.

Signage should not be overlooked by the tenant, as you can be sure that the landlord hasn?t. First, make sure of your legal rights in your community as they relate to signage. Research sign codes and get in writing exactly what those rights and codes are from the landlord. It must be absolutely clear to both parties exactly what the expectations are with the signage. Size, colors, attachment, etc., all have to be defined and understood in order to avoid any last minute surprises due to violations.

One final note, but certainly not lacking in importance, is the required guarantee on the lease. Similar to banks, most landlords will want you to sign as a business, as a personal guarantor, and possibly a co-signor will be needed. It is in your best interest personally to not sign as a personal guarantor, if at all possible. If the business guarantees the lease, and something goes wrong, the business is liable, but you are not personally. If you personally guarantee the lease, then the landlord may come after your personal assets to satisfy the amount of the lease. This is extremely important if you are involved in a partnership or corporate entity in which the financial burden is unbalanced, meaning someone in the group has more to lose financially. The personal guarantee will also reflect directly on each person?s financial statements. This will be very important when you decide, either individually or as a company, to borrow more money. All of this should be addressed in the business plan ahead of time. If the financials are strong, you may be able to sign as a business, and not worry about the personal guarantee. If not, one way to negotiate is to ask for a clause which will let you sign personally for a designated time period, and then if your business and financial statements are healthy enough, to resign as a business only, removing the personal guarantee, and continuing the remainder of the lease.

To increase the likelihood that you sign the lease that you need and are going to get what you pay for, make sure that you:

? Describe in detail the landlord’s responsibilities to tenant. For example, a carefully drafted lease will set forth the hours during which heating and air conditioning will be provided and will establish agreed-to temperature and humidity ranges.

? Define what constitutes a default by the landlord and describe the remedies available to the tenant if the landlord fails to perform its obligations. Many landlord lease forms eliminate these provisions entirely or severely water down the remedies available to the tenant.

? Provide a method for quick, inexpensive and final resolution of any disputes over the lease.

? Don?t get too emotional about a space or time frame, and make sure you have your money before you sign for anything.

? Negotiate for the future of your business.

Other ideas to consider further:

Option to buy property

Sound proofing the location.

Rent averaging ? lower rate escalating yearly to higher rate.

Substantial and Partial Destruction and Timely Remedies.

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You can start out with a positive amortization on your adjustable rate mortgage but end up with a negative one due to interest rate increases.

Ways To Minimize Risks In Your Commercial Real Estate Investment

When you invest in a commercial property, you all hope that the property value will go up and the income will continue to increase. However, you also have to plan for the downturn too. There are ways to minimize your risks when you invest in a commercial property:

1. Choose a property with multiple tenants instead of single tenant. This will spread out the risk as you don?t put all eggs in one basket. When a tenant terminates a lease, you will potentially just lose a portion of the total income. It?s also easy to find a tenant looking for a small 1000 SF unit.

2. Choose a property with long term leases over month-to-month leases. Month to month tenants can move out with short notice when their businesses go down.
3. Avoid having most of the leases expire at the same time. That way in the worst case, you will not have to face with a scenario that the whole building is vacant.
4. Choose brand-name over no-brand tenants when you have a choice. Leases from brand-name companies like Walgreens, Subway, HR Block are sometimes guaranteed by the corporations. So when they have to shut down the store, the corporations will continue paying rents. According to statistics, brand name tenants are more likely to be in business next year than non-brand name tenants.
5. Ask for lease guarantee. When a tenant is a small corporation, ask the owner of the corporation back up the lease with his or her personal assets. This way you are more likely to get your rent paid during bad times.
6. Have a mixture of tenants with different businesses. For example, you don?t want to have 3 barbershops in a shopping center as they will compete against each other and take the other out of business. When the economy slows down, it may affect a certain industry. By having tenants with different businesses, you reduce the chance that the economy affects most of your tenants.
7. Request seller for rent guarantee. When you purchase a commercial property that is not 100% leased, ask the seller to provide a 12-month rent guarantee for vacant units. That way you have up to 12 months to look for tenants.
8. Invest in a stable and growing area instead of a declining area. Your tenants are more likely to do well and have money to pay you the rent.
9. Invest in an area with strong income. The median household income in the US is about $46,000 per year. So if the area has median household income of only $28,000 per year, it?s likely a rough area with lots of graffiti?s. This is a risky area to invest.
10. Choose triple-net leases over gross leases. Maintenance is something varies from year to year. On the triple-net lease, the tenant is responsible to reimburse you with all the expenses so your net income does not fluctuate.
11. Avoid property that has chemical. If you are an investor looking for a passive investment, you should avoid gas station. When there is a gas leak, the soil is contaminated. You won?t be able to sell the property as no lender will provide financing.

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