Are You on the Fence? Buying vs. Leasing Commercial Property

In the realm of business, the decision to either lease or buy commercial property is a crucial one, often carrying significant implications for the future of the enterprise. Both options come with their own set of advantages and drawbacks, making it essential for entrepreneurs and business owners to carefully evaluate their specific circumstances, needs, and goals before making a choice.

Let’s explore the pros and cons of leasing versus buying commercial property to help you make an informed decision.

Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-15120-building-269077/

Leasing Commercial Property

Pros:

1. Lower Initial Costs: Leasing typically requires less upfront capital compared to purchasing property. Instead of a hefty down payment, lessees usually pay a security deposit and the first month’s rent.
2. Flexibility: Leasing offers businesses the flexibility to adapt to changing needs. If your business experiences growth or contraction, it’s easier to adjust your space requirements when leasing, either by expanding into additional units or downsizing.
3. Reduced Responsibilities: Maintenance and repair responsibilities often fall on the landlord when leasing commercial property. This can alleviate some of the burdens associated with property ownership, allowing business owners to focus on core operations.
4. Location Options: Leasing provides access to prime locations that may be financially out of reach for purchasing. This can be advantageous for businesses looking to establish a presence in high-traffic areas or “destination” areas without the commitment of ownership.

Cons:

1. Limited Control: As a Tenant, you have limited control over the property. Renovations or alterations most likely require Landlord approval, and lease terms may restrict certain activities or changes to the space.
2. No Equity Building: Unlike buying property, leasing does not offer the opportunity to build equity. Monthly lease payments contribute solely to occupancy costs without any long-term asset accumulation.
3. Rental Increases: Lease agreements typically include provisions for rent escalation over time. While this allows Landlords to keep up with market trends and increased costs due to economic fluctuations, it can lead to increased occupancy costs for tenants, affecting long-term financial planning.

Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

Buying Commercial Property

Pros:

1. Ownership and Equity: Purchasing commercial property allows businesses to build equity over time. Property ownership can serve as a long-term investment, potentially yielding returns through appreciation and equity buildup.
2. Control and Customization: Property ownership grants full control over the space, enabling businesses to customize and modify the property according to their needs without seeking landlord approval.
3. Stable Costs: With a fixed-rate mortgage, businesses can enjoy stable occupancy costs, unaffected by fluctuating rental rates. This predictability can facilitate better financial planning and budgeting.
4. Potential Rental Income: Owning commercial property provides the opportunity to generate additional income by leasing out unused space to other businesses or tenants, thereby diversifying revenue streams.

Cons:

1. High Initial Costs: Buying commercial property entails substantial upfront costs, including down payments, closing costs, and potential property improvements. This can be a barrier to entry for some businesses, particularly startups or small enterprises.
2. Maintenance Responsibilities: Property ownership comes with maintenance and repair responsibilities. Businesses must allocate resources for upkeep, repairs, and property management, which affects the bottom line.
3. Limited Flexibility: Unlike leasing, owning commercial property ties your business to a specific location. Relocating or expansion needs may involve selling the property, which can be time-consuming and costly.
4. Market Risk: Property values are subject to market fluctuations, and economic downturns can impact property appreciation and rental demand, potentially affecting the property’s investment value.

Image by Foundry Co from Pixabay

When it all comes down to it, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Each option presents its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and the decision ultimately hinges on factors such as financial resources, business objectives, and long-term strategy.

By carefully evaluating the pros and cons outlined above and considering your unique circumstances, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your business goals and aspirations. Whether leasing or buying, the key is to approach the decision with thorough research and foresight to ensure a sound investment in the future of your business.

We’re eager to connect and dive deep into your vision for commercial property leasing or purchasing. Let’s explore your long-term goals together and leverage our expertise to analyze data, conduct research, and identify tailored options that fit your needs. As locals deeply rooted in this community, we’re not just passionate about the area—we live and breathe it. Count on us to bring our local insights and dedication to your real estate endeavors, ensuring a seamless journey toward your objectives.

Is Oxford the Next High-Growth Area for Southern Chester County?

Oxford Borough

Growth moves down the corridor of US-1, maybe not at the speed or intensity of the commercial property pricing drops or increases from east to west, north to south, but nonetheless, it moves.

The pandemic has hit so many small “mom and pop” towns with lethal blows to their economy and small business bases. As a local resident, I have been discouraged by seeing businesses close up over the COVID-19 pandemic, but I have also been encouraged by the way that the Oxford/Nottingham community has pulled together to support local and helped existing businesses sustain and even thrive in spite of the challenges they face, and as a bonus, encourage new entrepreneurship within the area with new “pop-up” establishments, like the “Rudolph’s Bourbon Bar” over the Christmas Holiday Season. Our local leaders really stepped up to the challenge of the “new normal”. Cameron’s Hardware helped us by offering no-contact pickup, and other retailers offered delivery via UBER eats and DoorDash. We saw what I’d like to call “Creative Sustainability” all around us. Existing local businesses like DuBarry have created brick-and-mortar spaces fronting on “Oxford Main Street” and are doing quite well. Home to great local eateries like Sawmill Grill, The Octoraro Tavern & Grill, Wholly Grounds, La Sicilia, Andres, the Nottingham Creamery, and Little Miss Oxford Diner, this town is full of character and charm. The new parking garage is a tremendous benefit to the retailers in our area. Oxford is also home to large businesses such as Neuchatel Chocolates, Tasty Baking Company, and The Scotts Company.

We are watching local entrepreneurs emerging such as the Whisky Shack, Smokin Dragons, Pickled Pickles, and Sweet Cakes, bringing new life and excitement to our area.

The Preston & Steve Show featured our own BellyBusters as one of the top 10 cheesesteaks of 1,000 different varieties taste-tested in the area! Now that’s impressive! Oxford Mainstreet Inc. announced that First Fridays will be starting up again in April. That’s just around the corner! There’s a lot of positive things going on in Southern Chester County during this arduous pandemic.

We have a unique opportunity available within the borough limits to present to you:

• 6,895 sf
• 2 story office building
• 40 car parking
• Could be used as:
  • Office
  • Medical
  • Flex
  • Institutional
  • Finance
  • Professional Services
• 1st floor amenities:
  • 11 Cubicle Offices
  • 2 Private Offices with smoke glass privacy
  • 1 Large Conference Room with smoke glass privacy
  • 1 Small Conference Room
  • 1 reception area
  • 2 restrooms
  • Large kitchenette area/employee lunchroom
  • Heated storage area
  • Roll-up drive-in delivery door (8×8) in the rear
• 2nd floor amenities:
  • 18 cubicle offices
  • 3 private offices
  • Server room
  • Small kitchenette area
  • 1 coat closet
  • 2 restrooms

Click here to tour this amazing space virtually:

Click Here to Request an Informational Packet

New Garden has a New Tool in their Conservation Tool Belt

Eighteen municipalities in Chester County have embraced the “Official Map” measure. Our neighboring township of New Garden has jumped on the bandwagon recently.

These Official Maps are projected to be useful tool to protect open spaces. However, there is a catch. The end game is for the municipality to amass land. If you, Mr. or Mrs. Property owner decide to construct on your existing parcel or choose to subdivide, you must notify the township. The clock starts ticking at that point and the township has a defined time frame to negotiate a “fair market price” for the parcel.

Note that this is not eminent domain or condemnation of property. This tool basically gives them right of first refusal for your property. If they have no interest in purchasing your property, then you are permitted to proceed with your plans within the township’s navigational beacons.

Reference: Daily Local News ~ dailylocal.com

 

 

 

Credit Crunch and Surplus is Affecting Ag Industry

It seems that a crop surplus has led to a 14-year low in agricultural industry profits according to Bloomberg. The amount of debt that farms have taken on is said to be the highest in the last 30 years.

The banks don’t want to give out anymore loans unless they are secured by land. This has caused an influx of interest in the USDA program which was originally designed to be a last ditch effort, not a standard. Enter in the statistically consistent problem with any government programs. You said it. Yes. This one is almost broke as well. 

The lessors of land will find it to be a difficult year most likely. Will lease rates fall? Still remains to be seen. According to the USDA, the forecasts do not look good in the profit column for 2016. The National Farmers Union is petitioning Congress for a credit solution asap so that they can continue production.

Recently there has been a surprising increase in prices and it is the agricultural industries hope that the rally continues. 

(Data courtesy of Bloomberg, National Real Estate Investor 2016)

Through the Looking Glass (Part 3) – Commercial Real Estate in 2015

As we dove into 2015’s waters, investment capital stats were already at in influx. The US has traditionally been a favorite depository for said capital. With US Treasury Rates on a decline due to demand and  the US Stock Exchange experiencing new elevations, commercial real estate is an attractive invitation for both foreign and domestic investors. The evidence of this is the growth of overall commercial property transactions in the US by foreign investors has now arrived at a level that we haven’t seen since 2006/2007. Firms aim a close eye at interest rates and market stability as they compare these current statistics with historical data. The timing for interest increases is concerning for most, and whether long term and short term rates will increase in a united or disjointed manner. A majority of soothsayers, (correction: forecasters), hold the belief that the Federal Reserve will raise  rates Summer of 2015. Out of the estimated $5 trillion plus capital invested in the United States, over $3 trillion is debt-driven. Commercial real estate loans are steadily gaining as per the Feds, with private equities and REIT’s in the lead. There is speculation that we will see a “re-do” of 2006 where large sums will be reinvested into #cre in 2015 if all goes according to pattern. Is your brokerage positioned for these potential opportunities? Are you as an investor positioned to take advantage of this stimulative climate and seize the day?

Through the Looking Glass (Part 2) – Commercial Real Estate in 2015

Do you see what I see?

There is a gargantuan player in this game of whom some of us may be unaware. Recall the “Defined Contribution Real Estate Council”?  It was originally created to assist sponsors/participants get better results via institutional quality properties. According to the Urban Land Institute, 2014 was monumental for US retirement assets achieving the 23 trillion mark. A good portion of those funds were in defined contribution or IRA funds.

As of first quarter 2014, it was reported that there were $6.6 trillion dollars in IRA funds and 6 trillion in defined contribution 401k’s. Our industry is being propositioned to produce improved selections for real estate investing. Institutional allocations can potentially mean billions of investment capital. Because liquidity is imperative to retirees, REIT’s may outshine direct investing options.

Resources:

Urban Land Institute & PWC, “Emerging Trends in Real Estate – US and Canada 2015″

Rental Construction Activity Increases in Greater Delaware Valley Region

As the housing market slowly attempts to turn the corner, the rental demand remains high for our particular region. Some areas report up to 20% increases in rental inventory. New construction is playing a large part in those numbers. Does this mean that the financial institutions are loosening up the purse strings for development loans? Possibly. In 2011, there was a 60% increase in Multi-Family Development Lending as compared to the previous year on a national level. The Census Bureau reported one outstanding statistic that 53% of the total number of renter households faced a housing cost burden last year. Unemployment remains high. Affordable housing is a treasure anxiously sought after. Rental rates remain high even paired alongside of the housing market slight improvements. Right now as it stands, renters make up approximately 22.64% of the Chester County, PA, population. 4.97% of houses and apartments in Chester County, PA, are unoccupied (vacancy rate).

Care to Dance?

When analyzing the current economy and market conditions, often times Commercial Real Estate and Residential Real Estate are assimilated in the reports. Although similar, they are often found dancing to different “tunes” on the same dance floor. What I mean by this is that although they are operating simultaneously in a wavering economy, they are distinct, which has allowed for the Commercial Real Estate industry to “creatively” overcome and seek sustenance in other ways that the housing market does not provide. Some examples of those new dance steps are:
REIT Running Man:
REIT’s are pushing for rent increases on multi-units, due to apartment and housing turnover trends at record lows due to inability to acquire mortgages. Public REIT’s are said to be paying yields in the 3.5% range. If you shift to the private sector, you can expect somewhere in the 8’s. Commercial Real Estate can also be considered an inflation hedge.

Buy or Build Butterfly:
Large Developers are focusing on new construction retail projects while some remain conservative favoring property acquisitions. When considering an acquisition, take a careful look beyond the cash flow. What will the rent income be when the current leases terminate? Novice investors miss this all of the time. Commercial Real Estate as a whole is driven by jobs, particularly the office and industrial sector. Consumer spending drives retail. Although the multi-unit industry has made remarkable improvement, we see a need to shrink the chasm between new construction costs and trending rental rates.

Land Limbo:
Buying land in the current market can be sketchy at best. Land with approvals, availability of utilities and located within the “right market”…it’s like trying to find a customized car with all of your wish list features off the lot of the used car dealer. Before jumping in with both feet, most investors are considering several items of interest when performing their due diligence:
Demand – What is the demand for the project?
Dinero – What will my ROI be and how far out can I expect my rate of return?
Domination – What bureaucratic hullabaloo will I have to endure to gain the “blessing” to execute this project and how long will it take to come to fruition? Also, will you be able to sell the property when you are ready to? What will it take?

The Lean,..oh I mean GREEN wit it, Rock wit it:
As an owner/investor, green solutions can potentially provide tenant attraction and maximize your property value. Applying Green initiatives to your current property can influence negotiations, improve operations and sustainability, boost tenancy and rent rates, improve the property to optimize sales price and attract “green” buyers.