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Commercial Real Estate New York

A guide to the various kinds of commercial real estate management and land development investments.

Local Companies

Anthony B. Smolen, Jr., CPA
(716) 834-6111
3949 Forest Park Way 100
N. Tonawanda, NY

Bank of America - Niagara Falls Boulevard Office
(716) 833-3330
1188 Niagara Falls Blvd.
Tonawanda, NY

Bank of America - Payne Avenue Office
(716) 694-2551
1012 Payne Ave.
North Tonawanda, NY

Bank of America - South Side Office
(716) 822-4601
2221 Seneca St.
Buffalo, NY

Bank of Holland
(716) 537-2264
12 South Main St.
Holland, NY

Citizens Bank - Mid City Plaza/Tops
(716) 692-4397
301 Meadow Dr.
North Tonawanda, NY

Citizens Bank - Niagara St./Tops
(716) 693-2658
150 Niagara St.
Tonawanda, NY

Citizens Bank - South Park-Buffalo/Tops
(716) 826-0500
1989 South Park Ave.
Buffalo, NY

Citizens Bank - Tonawanda
(716) 693-2440
20 Main St.
Tonawanda, NY

Citizens Bank - Young St.-Tonawanda/Tops
(716) 693-7285
890 Young. St.
Tonawanda, NY

Adapted From: Commercial Real Estate Investing For Dummies

Most people think commercial real estate is all about apartment rentals. Even though residential properties are a big part of commercial real estate investing, other types of properties make for excellent investment opportunities.

Commercial real estate is defined as any real estate that's bigger than one house on one lot. So even if people live in the property, it's still commercial as long as it's bigger than one house. The following sections show the different types of commercial property.

Apartment buildings (also known as residential properties)

Residential properties include everything from small apartments (five or more units) to huge multi-story apartment buildings. What's great about investing in apartments is that they're easy to find, banks love to lend on them, and they're great cash-flow generators.

Offices and warehouses

Offices and warehouses are great for investing because they have triple net leases, in which the tenants pay you rent plus

All maintenance and repairs
The insurance on the property
The real estate taxes

Typical triple net leases are 5 to 20 years long with rent increases every couple of years. That can be a disadvantage as well as an advantage, and here's why: Say the lease is for 10 years. If your neighborhood experiences explosive growth over the next five years, you won't be able to capitalize on what's happening because you're locked into a 10-year lease agreement. But overall, triple net lease investments are great for investors.

Retail centers

Most investors like retail centers — shopping centers and malls — because, like office and warehouse properties, they're leased out on a long-term triple net lease basis. As an investor, your rates of return won't go down over time as the taxes and expenses go up. In fact, as rents go up over time, your returns just keep getting better and better. And as in most triple net lease agreements, rent increases are built into the agreement with the tenant.

Hotels and resorts

This asset type isn't the best place to get started, but many experienced investors find it to be a fun and profitable area. Of course, other investors have also lost their shirts, so make sure that you know what you're doing before jumping in.

One way to get started in this niche is to invest in the property and then lease it out to another company that will operate the hotel or resort. Why? Running a hotel is a business, not an investment, and running a business brings with it a whole new set of rules, regulations, and headaches.

Land development

Land development is one of the most exciting types of commercial real estate. However, it can also teach you to some quick and painful lessons if you jump in without knowing what you're doing.

By taking land that isn't yet fit for building through the approval process, you can dramatically increase its value. Commercial real estate investors call this "taking it to the map." Remember that it also makes sense to start small and work your way up with land development. Starting off small allows you to get comfortable with the land development process before going out to raise millions of dollars.

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For Dummies is a registered trademark of Wiley Publishing, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Used here by license.

Featured Local Company

Anthony B. Smolen, Jr., CPA

(716) 834-6111
3949 Forest Park Way 100
N. Tonawanda, NY

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Business Services	Fashion	Industrial Goods & Services	Retail & Consumer Services
Career	Financial Services	Insurance	Software
Cars	Food & Beverage	Internet	Technology
Computer Hardware	Franchise	Legal	Telecommunications
Construction	Health	Miscellaneous	Trade Shows
Education	Holidays	Nightlife	Travel
Entertainment	Home Appliances	Online Database	Weddings
Environmental	Home Electronics	Pets	World History