Many people choose to purchase commercial real estate as an investment in order to build wealth,  as opposed to fulfilling a need for space. For newcomers to the commercial real estate investing market, one must understand that it can be a get rich slow kind of business requiring patience and perseverence.

These days we live in a society with many great resources for commercial real estate information. Whether looking to buy, sell, or lease, the internet is full of resources regarding Brunswick County commercial properties.

Websites such as Google Base are fantastic resources for buyers and sellers alike. Use this website and websites like this as a guide. They will help provide you with information of specific Brunswick County commercial property, and other areas, based on an address, zip code, features, etc.. Such information includes…

Each property’s:

• Price
  • Current Price
  • Price trends for the specific property, zip code, and county
• Year Built
• Heated/Lot sizes
• Previous Sales History
• Property Tax

The website will even allow you to modify features of the property to create an estimate that will help to resemble a more realistic estimate. It is a great resource that will aid you by giving you an edge when negotiating and doing research regarding Brunswick County commercial real estate. Check out what other commercial properties in the area are going for!

Despite the large amount of information that you have access to on the Internet, it is still recommended that you find yourself a real estate agent because of the specific resources, networks, and the expertise that they possess.

We live in an area that is prone to hurricanes and tropical storms. These storms bring destructive winds and flooding. You should prepare your property well before the hurricane hits. It is never too early to start preparing and protecting your Brunswick County commercial real estate.

You should prepare a plan in the case of such a storm. Food and water to sustain you 3 days along with flashlights, batteries, first aid, a radio, blankets, and any other emergency equipment that you might need should be acquired.

You may have heard the myth that opening your garage, doors or windows will help to level the pressure from outside and inside during the storm. All windows and garages should be kept closed, first of all due to the security from flying debris and secondly the pressure from the wind blowing into your building puts an immense amount of pressure on your roof and walls and could cause them to blow apart if the storm is strong enough.

Impact-resistant window systems are your best bet for window protection. If this is not an option for you then build some shutters yourself. For areas with frequent hurricanes it is recommended that you install hinges for the shutters versus nailing them up each time a storm approaches. Hinges will remain there year ‘round and will enable the removal and installation of makeshift shutters quick and easy. Remember that hinges should be placed on the stronger areas of the window frame. Constantly nailing and removing shutters from your window will cause unsightly damage and more importantly weaken the structure of the window frame.

The doors of your Brunswick commercial property should have at least three hinges and a dead bolt.

Hurricane resistant garage doors are the best. If this is not available then there are kits and shutters available to protect your garage door from wind and debris. Ask your local garage door retailer about other options to protect your Brunswick County real estate.

Some other things to consider: Trim any tree branches or bushes that could become dangerous flying objects in a storm, gravel or rock driveways and walkways can quickly become a high speed rock storm, look around your Brunswick commercial property and consider any objects that may pose a risk.

The Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008, H.R. 5351, will provide tax incentives for energy efficient Brunswick County NC commercial real estate if passed. The act was passed by the House of Representatives this February and is currently being reviewed by Senate.

Some of the tax incentives can be realized by:

• The production of electricity from renewable resources such as wind, water, solid waste and other like resources until 2011
• Marine and Hydrokinetic renewable energy
• Investments in solar energy and fuel cell property until 2016

Search the web for the details of the act and the tax deductions that you realize from your Brunswick County commercial real estate.

When trying to decide whether to buy or lease Commercial Real Estate in Brunswick County a market and financial analysis should be completed. There are other non financial considerations, some of which will be briefly discussed here.

You need to analyze the local market that you plan to build or lease. Discover the current and future, for the years you plan to occupy, rental rates and property appreciation/depreciation. These numbers will help you to decide which is better for you. For example, if property values rise faster than rental rates then buying may be a more attractive option due to the building of property equity and resale value. Obviously, current interest rates will be necessary for the analysis.

The financial analysis will help decide whether buying or leasing NC commercial property will produce the least overall cost. Lease payments, depreciation, operating expenses, interest, mortgage payments, and property tax are all tax deductible. Therefore, the present value of the sum of the mortgage payments, closing costs, and other ownership related costs minus tax deductions and benefits of ownership (i.e. resale value) versus the present value of the sum of the lease payments and related cost minus the tax deductibles will produce the net cost for each alternative. Whichever has the least net cost will be the most financially attractive alternative.

Some other things to consider:

• If the building is purchased then it is harder to downside or expand quickly if more or less space is needed. Having to deal with these types of situations could divert needed resources to real estate asset needs versus business processes.
• In addition to mortgage payments, ownership incurs other expenses such as insurance, repairs, all utilities, and property taxes.

Speak to one of our Brunswick County realtors about commercial real estate property for sale.