Invest
Should you invest in commercial or residential real estate?
When investing in property, most people typically consider residential options, e.g. a unit or house. However, people are increasingly considering investing in commercial property as an alternative.
Should you invest in commercial or residential real estate?
When investing in property, most people typically consider residential options, e.g. a unit or house. However, people are increasingly considering investing in commercial property as an alternative.
Commercial real estate is used either exclusively or primarily as a business premises. Commercial property has many similar attributes to residential:
- Property values tend to fluctuate, and turnover is typically low
- It pays a steady monthly rent while tenanted, and rents tend to increase as the economy grows
- You might be able to depreciate some of the items within the property
However, commercial property has some key attributes that are vastly different to residential property, including:
- Commercial property yields are often higher than residential yields in metropolitan areas
- Commercial property lease terms are typically three years or more
- Commercial property tenants are usually responsible for all maintenance of the premises
- The ability to find a tenant for commercial property is industry specific, i.e. if you have a retail shop, your ability to find a tenant is influenced by the strength of the retail industry
So if with commercial property you can get higher returns, longer leases, and the tenants are responsible for maintaining the property, shouldn’t everyone be looking at buying commercial property? Not necessarily as it does come with a unique set of risk factors.
Tenant turnover can be very slow in commercial properties, so you need to be prepared with sufficient cash reserves to weather the slower periods. If you’re borrowing to invest, could you handle 12 months of vacancy of your property? Furthermore, when you’re investing into residential property, it doesn’t matter if you rent it to a doctor, tradesman, teacher or student – as long as they pay the rent and look after the property. But with commercial property, your rental income is intrinsically linked to the fortunes of the businesses that will want to rent your property. If you own a retail shop, it’s highly unlikely that it’s going to appeal to a non-retail business.
Overall, a great commercial property could be an excellent investment. But its attributes are very different to residential property. In some cases, commercial property returns can outstrip that of residential property, however that can come with an equally higher level of risk. As with any investment, do your homework and make it’s the best option for your individual investment strategy.
David Hancock, director, Binnari Property
Property
Retirement communities: a pivotal element in meeting Australia's housing targets
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has recommended that retirement communities should be considered a vital part in the Australian Government's initiative to fulfill the Housing Australia Future Fund ...Read more
Property
Australians adjust financial strategies amid changing property market dynamics
The 2023 calendar year saw Australian borrowers acquiring a total of $300.9 billion in new loans for property purchases, marking a 12.7% decrease from the previous year. Read more
Property
Split home loans unlocking doors for Aussie buyers
Australians are teaming up to dive into the real estate market and seize the advantages of home ownership, with the trend of split home loans surging as family and friends unite to buy properties ...Read more
Property
Real estate investment: Spotting high-growth potentials
Investing in real estate has long been a favoured approach for Australians looking to grow their wealth. Read more
Property
Granny flats become Aussie families' cost-effective solution to soaring living costs
As the cost of living skyrockets, a forward-thinking trend is sweeping across Australia – granny flats are becoming a favoured living arrangement for older Aussies seeking comfort and proximity to ...Read more
Property
Homebuyers grapple with extended savings period amid affordability crisis
Gone are the days when an Australian dream home seemed just within reach. The path to homeownership in Australia has extended by at least two arduous years, as revealed by the latest insights from ...Read more
Property
Hybrid development unlocks new potential for NDIS housing in metro hotspots
In a ground-breaking strategy aimed at addressing the stark imbalance between the location of Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) developments and the actual areas of demand, Aligned Disability ...Read more
Property
Property prices boosted by housing policies: RBA
The central bank has outlined the “pervasive” impact that policy has on property. Read more
Property
Retirement communities: a pivotal element in meeting Australia's housing targets
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has recommended that retirement communities should be considered a vital part in the Australian Government's initiative to fulfill the Housing Australia Future Fund ...Read more
Property
Australians adjust financial strategies amid changing property market dynamics
The 2023 calendar year saw Australian borrowers acquiring a total of $300.9 billion in new loans for property purchases, marking a 12.7% decrease from the previous year. Read more
Property
Split home loans unlocking doors for Aussie buyers
Australians are teaming up to dive into the real estate market and seize the advantages of home ownership, with the trend of split home loans surging as family and friends unite to buy properties ...Read more
Property
Real estate investment: Spotting high-growth potentials
Investing in real estate has long been a favoured approach for Australians looking to grow their wealth. Read more
Property
Granny flats become Aussie families' cost-effective solution to soaring living costs
As the cost of living skyrockets, a forward-thinking trend is sweeping across Australia – granny flats are becoming a favoured living arrangement for older Aussies seeking comfort and proximity to ...Read more
Property
Homebuyers grapple with extended savings period amid affordability crisis
Gone are the days when an Australian dream home seemed just within reach. The path to homeownership in Australia has extended by at least two arduous years, as revealed by the latest insights from ...Read more
Property
Hybrid development unlocks new potential for NDIS housing in metro hotspots
In a ground-breaking strategy aimed at addressing the stark imbalance between the location of Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) developments and the actual areas of demand, Aligned Disability ...Read more
Property
Property prices boosted by housing policies: RBA
The central bank has outlined the “pervasive” impact that policy has on property. Read more