Five key benefits of commercial real estate investing

In an earlier blog post: “Mainstream media’s obsession with the equities market” I made a general comparison between investing in stocks, mutual funds, ETF’s, GIC’s, bonds and commercial real estate. Let’s now take a look at specific advantages of placing some of your hard earned capital into income producing property. The examples I am using will be applicable only to investors who wish to place their money long term.

Keeps pace with inflation

All commercial real estate derives income from tenants who pay to rent the premises. Obviously supply and demand for rental property can vary.  We have seen periods in the history of Saskatchewan Commercial Real Estate where rents have flat lined for a period of time or maybe even dropped slightly.  Over the long term, rental income will keep pace with inflation which is reassuring for retirees concerned about future purchasing power.  Income however is only one of the sources of return on your investment.

Ability to leverage your investment

Very few will borrow money to invest in equities.  It is quite simply too risky. Even if you did, the interest charged is unlikely to be favorable.  Conversely, most commercial real estate is purchased with (on an average of) only a 25% initial investment. Assuming the property appraises and the asset is sound, financial institutions will compete aggressively to finance your purchase.  That means your tenants are paying you a return on your investment, and at the same time paying off your mortgage (most commercial mortgages are amortized between 15 and 20 years).  Advancing your equity increase far quicker than many other types of investments. Starting to sound interesting?  Well there’s more:

Cash on cash return

Today you can obtain commercial mortgage funds anywhere between 2.75% and 4.5%.  It is likely the property your purchased is showing a cap rate of between 6% and 7.5%. That means in addition to your return of 6% to 7% on initial investment and your tenant paying of your mortgage off, you are also receiving a return on the money your borrowed.  That spread in today’s market is likely to be 2.5 to 4%….this is found money!

Asset appreciation

The examples used above regarding the factors that affect rent levels is also true for the value of real estate.  I can provide you countless examples of increased value in commercial real estate my clients have experienced since I have been the business.  Appreciation, more than any other factor, provides tremendous growth opportunity for your capital. Let’s say two partners each invest $187,500 (plus closing costs) into a $1.5M property.  It is not inconceivable for someone to offer them $2M after 5 years.  If their mortgage was amortized over 15 years, they  have paid down the mortgage by roughly $300,000.  Add that to the $500,000 capital gain and they have each turned their initial $187,500 investment into $587,500 (less recaptured depreciation tax).  Many investors, rather than selling will remortgage their property, pull out some equity and do it again.  In most cases rental income should have increased to cover the additional mortgage amount.

Bricks & mortar

I like real estate because it is a tangible asset.  I can take an older tired property, add value through renovations and thereby increase both rent income and its market value. It’s personally rewarding to transform a dated building into real estate where tenants are enthusiastic to place their business. Yet one more example of how your investment can grow.

Do you have any theories on why this type of information is seldom found in mainstream media?

Posted by Barry Stuart