3 Ways to Invest in Commercial Real Estate

When the topic of real estate investing comes up, most people think of fix and flip opportunities. While that was once considered a valued method for building wealth, it’s certainly not the only way to get started in investing in real estate. By looking at several options, you may identify a method that best appeals to your skills and resources.

The fix and flip is starting to die out as people realize this isn’t the get rich quick scheme that television suggests. However, buying into a commercial property and holding onto it as a source of rental income is a legitimate way to make money in real estate. It requires patience and commitment because it will require you to maintain the property in good condition. You will also have to manage tenants and ensure each unit is consistently providing income. If you have the time and passion to devote to a commercial rental property, this may be the investment for you.

As a limited partner, you invest capital into a commercial rental property, while allowing another partner to manage the day to day operations. While you may get a say in how major decisions are handled, you leave many of the operational decisions up to the general partner. You simply invest capital along with other investors and, in exchange, you own a percentage of the property. If you want the perks of real estate investing without having to get your hands dirty, this is one way to accomplish that goal.

Also known as a real estate investment trust, an REIT is essentially nothing more than a mutual fund that invests in real property assets. Each REIT focuses on a certain type of asset, so you can choose a REIT that invests in commercial shopping centers or one that invests in multi-family homes. The benefits here are that you don’t have to devote much personal time to the investments, while the REIT diversifies your holdings to maximize your potential for growth.

These are a few of the most common ways to invest in real estate. As mentioned, each type of investment requires a different level of personal involvement. This may be one of the deciding factors in determining which type of investment is right for you. Alternatively, you may choose to try multiple types of real estate investments to maximize your earnings. Your personal tastes and needs will determine which strategy is best for you.