Profit From Commercial Real Estate Investments

Property investors have now turned their attention towards the lucrative deals presented by the commercial properties. This sudden interest is the result of the option to diversify your property investment portfolio, along with a high income and tax breaks. However, it is advisable to conduct a research before taking the plunge.

Commercial properties include hotels, malls, medical centers, retail stores, business and industrial property. These are operated for a profit from rental income or capital gain. Some common commercial property types are:

- Apartments and multi family units: These are the first choice of investors. Apartment financing and management is very similar to that of residential properties.

- Mobile home parks: These can be a profitable investment option especially if you own the land and sell the mobile homes.

- Retail properties: More than one tenant occupies the premises and it is utilized for retail transactions.

- Offices: This category includes suburban garden offices, suburban high-rise offices, medical offices and central business district offices.

- Mixed use properties: These properties are a combination of all the above property types.

- Health care units: They include assisted living centers and congregate care centers and nursing homes.

- Hotels: The properties are categorized as either limited service or full service.

- Industrial premises: These properties can be used solely for industrial purposes.

- Self-storage units: The consumers use them for personal storage or for lease.

- Other specialties: These include oil change facilities and gas stations.

According to a reputed New York based real estate research firm, the price of apartment complexes rose by 26%, retail properties by 14%, industrial properties by 21% and office buildings by 6%, in 2004. Commercial property investment is very profitable but it is a complex business, as compared to investment in residential properties. There are number of factors that affect the property evaluation of commercial premises. It pays to study the market and tread cautiously.

Boom in commercial real estate property:

Commercial real estate includes, but is not limited to, properties used for educational, medical, commercial or industrial purpose. The properties are usable in business or trade and can be sold or bought in the real estate market. The improvement in the economy and growth in business ventures are responsible for the revival of commercial real estate. Another important reason has been the continuous flow of new investment capital. This capital is sourced from people who seek higher returns from large investments. The areas that come under the category of ‘commercially profitable’ carry a higher evaluation, as compared to other properties in developing areas. The rates for commercial real estate properties are calculated differently from the method adopted for residential properties.

The rental yields are better for commercial properties and the monthly cash flow is more than that of residential property investment, in the same area. The quoted expectation of returns depends on the kind of business that would be transacted on the premises. The profit from commercial real estate investments is definitely much higher than profit generated from investments in residential properties. Investment in commercial real estate is as lucrative as investments in stocks and bonds.

Real Estate - Putting Those Profits Where They Belong in Your IRA Account & Your Pocket!

I'm going to talk about my favorite subject in a little more detail today...Real Estate, and how it can put more of that green stuff where it belongs...in your wallet!

A self directed Roth IRA invested in real estate allows the owner to keep more profits in the account, rather than handing them over to the government. Some of you may have little knowledge about purchasing real estate in your IRA. Many people still think that the only investment options are stocks and bonds or certificates of deposit. Well, there is a lot more that you can do!

Whether you want to buy raw land, single family homes, commercial property, an apartment building or a mobile home, you are surely hoping to make a profit. You may want to hold the property for several years and wait on the value to grow or you may be a rehabber, planning to flip the property for a quick profit. Either way, the self directed Roth IRA invested in real estate has several advantages, and here are a few.

First, there are no capital gains taxes. All returns are either tax-deferred or tax-free, depending on the type of account that you have and the withdrawals that you make. Purchasing real estate in your IRA can be easy. It just takes some time and knowledge, as well as the right custodian.

Many brokerages will not handle a self directed Roth IRA invested in real estate. It's not that the IRS doesn't allow it. The laws regarding retirement accounts allow people to invest in almost anything. It's just not a traditional investment type and most brokers are not familiar with it. And, you would be better of to choose someone who is.

So, in order to begin purchasing real estate in your IRA, you need to find a company that is familiar with the option. Otherwise, you could run into problems down the road. Let's say that you decided to let the new broker down the street manage your account.

You knew about the advantages of a self directed Roth IRA invested in real estate, so you took the plunge and bought a single family home, using funds from the account. The property is held in your custodian's name and all income and profits are returned to the account.

Your son needed a place to live, so you decided to let him rent the property, since it was vacant. Being unaware of the self-dealing rules, the custodian allowed this to go on. Once the IRS saw that rental income was going into the account from one of your relatives, the account was audited, the tax-deferred status was lost and you were forced to liquidate the account. Why?

Because one of the rules about purchasing real estate in your IRA is that family members may not live in the homes that you buy. You can't even buy a house that you plan to live in after retirement and hold it in your retirement account. It all falls under the self dealing laws and if your custodian is unfamiliar with them, then you will become the loser.

If you have knowledge and expertise about buying and selling property, then a self directed Roth IRA invested in real estate is simply another way to grow your portfolio. If you need to learn, there are people who can help. So, get some help and start investing in your future.

Flipping Real Estate for Profit

There are lots of cable television shows these days that feature "flipping" houses for profit that make it seem like just about everybody's doing it. For the uninitiated, flipping a house means buying a house at one price, then improving it in a short amount of time to sell it again quickly for a substantial profit. Most people who flip there first house have dreams of making an enormous profit very easily, but it's not that simple. Complications almost always come up, and you have to be very aware of the area, what the market will bear and which improvements are worth the investment to flip a house successfully.

You need to find a house that fits several criteria in order to make a healthy profit at flipping. Some of the things you need to take into consideration include:

Is the neighborhood a growing or improving one that buyers will be interested in?

Are the improvements or repairs needed ones that you can do within a reasonable budget?

Can you pay for the needed repairs/improvements and still net a good profit?

Is the area one that will appeal to a wide range of buyers?

Are there any problems that just aren't fixable (bad location, a foundation that is sinking and can't be shored, etc.)?

How many other houses are for sale in the immediate area (too many, and the market glut will drive the price of your house down no matter how nice it is)?

Locating a home that fits your budget and criteria means research, and lots of it. Many people who have flipped successfully say the best way is to simply drive around mid-range neighborhoods and look for the slightly run-down homes with solid bones that have been on the market a bit too long. The owners are usually anxious to sell, and the most buyers avoid fixer-uppers, so you can negotiate from a firm position. Also check out Sheriff's Sales, banks that handle foreclosures and online auctions.

Of course, even after you purchase the property you have plenty of work to do. Be sure you set up a budget in advance and resolve to stick to it when doing repairs and remodeling. Remember, the goal isn't to turn this into your dream home, but a solid, saleable property that will net the highest possible profit for you. Have a complete home inspection and get bids for any repairs that you can't handle yourself, such as upgrading wiring or dealing with dry rot. Next, determine what jobs you can do yourself or with the help of friends to save money. Finally, shop around for the best price on materials and haggle whenever you order more than one thing (say, tile and cabinets) from one supplier.

One of the most common mistakes a novice at house flipping makes is choosing top of the line everything, thinking that this is what will sell the house. Quality is always a good selling point, but only within reason. There is a bell curve to this - after a certain point, you start to lose money if you've purchased luxurious upgrades that aren't necessary. For instance, if you're remodeling a house in a mid-salary neighborhood with primarily starter homes for young families, buying granite countertops and solid cherry bathroom cabinets will mean you will end up pricing the real estate too high for the market to bear in order to get your investment back. Instead, consider attractive, durable laminate countertops and oak or pine cabinets.

On the other hand, if the home you are flipping is in an exclusive neighborhood where most other homes have the best of everything, those granite countertops may be a must-have. How do you know what is best for the particular home you're flipping? Go to several open houses in the area and see what the standard is, then talk to realtors about what they feel are the most sought-after features for buyers in the price range you are anticipating selling the house for. Generally, you don't want to be the most expensive house in the neighborhood, but you should shoot for the upper end of the scale.

Being aware of what buyers want also means that you should remodel with in eye toward appealing to the greatest possible number of buyers. This means keeping things practical and neutral, not tailoring the house to your own personal tastes. You may love rich, bold colors in every room, but most home buyers prefer to see walls that are in a warm neutral shade such as eggshell or taupe. The same goes for fixtures - if you install fixtures that include color inlays or have elaborate detailing that either is extremely elegant or (at the other end of the spectrum) ultra-casual, you may put some potential buyers off. Sticking with what's simple and classic is best and will multiply your chances of a quick sale.

If you plan to continue flipping houses, but sure to establish a rapport with your contractors, suppliers and the inspectors you deal with. You'll need their help and goodwill in the future, and it's always a safe bet they'll return your calls more quickly if they like and respect you rather than if you are yelling and demanding things. In fact, if you find a good contractor or supplier, it can often pay for you to establish an informal agreement with them that you will use them for any future flips in exchange for some type of consideration on their part - after all, they want that steady work or those steady orders from you.

Finally, although some flippers will try to sell a house on their own when it is finished, a realtor can be your best friend. Realtors are professionals at getting the word out, generating interest in an open house, and talking up your property to other realtors. Again, if you decide that you want to flip other properties in the future, let the realtor know this. He or she may very well lower his or her commission in exchange for the promise of future listings from you.

Good luck and happy flipping!