Commercial Lease Vs. Own

Businesses have struggled for years with the decision whether to buy or lease their facilities.  The decision can become overly complicated as objective (financial, space needs, etc.) and subjective factors (business image, growth plans, pride of ownership, etc.) combine.  Forces outside of the business owner's control, such as the general economy, commercial interest rates, commercial real estate loan options and future real estate values further obscure the issue.

Some of the major pros and cons of ownership include:

Pros 

·   Monthly mortgage payment is usually lower than comparable lease payment

·   Potential future rental income

·   Assisting owners with wealth/retirement

·   Building an asset that will assist in securing business lines of credit and other forms of loans

·   Pride of ownership

·   Stability - Control 

·   Creation of Equity 

·   Business image

·   Not being exposed to increases in rental market

·   Not being exposed to whims of landlords

    ·   Dramatic Tax Benefits

Cons
   ·   Property management responsibilities
    ·   Interest rate exposure on adjustable mortgages and/or if mortgage balloons
    ·   Opportunity costs of down payment not being in a more liquid asset, or being used for
      business operations
    ·   Decrease in functionality of building
    ·   Building value subject to market conditions
   ·   Length of time in selling building 
   ·   Decrease in space flexibility

Although, for many business owners the question boils down to money or cash on hand.  First of all, does the business owner have the capital needed for the down payment?  (Many entrepreneurs are surprised to learn that they are now able to come in with only 10% down on almost all building purchases). 

If they do have the required capital, the question than becomes should they use this money as the down payment to buy the property, or should they use the cash in some other investment?  When all factors (tax rate, tax benefits, interest rate, inflation, depreciation, expected holding period, etc.) are considered, which will have the greater return?

STORE For Commercial Loan Brokers Commercial Mortgage Broker Store

 

Other Related Commercial Loan Programs:

 
• Commercial Real Estate Loans
• USDA B & I loans
• SBA 7a Loans
• Conventional Bank Loans
• Commercial Mortgage Refinance
• Small Loan Mortgage
• Commercial Construction Loans
• Commercial Equity Loan - No Longer available
• Commercial 15 Year Fixed
• Owner Occupied Commercial Loans
• Interest Only Commercial Loans
• Commercial Second Mortgage - No Longer available
• Business Debt Consolidation Loan

General Topics Related to Commercial Financing:

• Commercial Mortgage Underwriting - Basics of
• Commercial Loan Rates - Description of and update list of indexes
• Commercial Loan Calculator
• Commercial Mortgage Lenders
• Commercial Loan News
• Commercial Lease vs Own
• Commercial Loan Programs - Description of
• Commercial Mortgage Business -Overview for brokers