WRITING

Real Estate Investing Explained - A Weekly Newsletter - subscribe

Commercial Real Estate Industry Overview

If you are new to the industry, this is where to start.  I break down the basics of the industry relative to property types and groups involved.  Read more

Acquisition Process

The acquisition process includes a series of steps to acquire real estate.  This includes a non-binding letter of intent, a binding purchase and sale agreement, due diligence, deposits, escrow, and closing documents.  Read more

Debt

Debt, also known as a loan, is how much of commercial real estate is funded.  Most investors borrow around 50-65% of the total cost of the property from a lender to complete the purchase of a property.    Read more

Equity & Joint Ventures

Equity is the second component of how commercial real estate is funded.  There are many ways to raise equity: from individual investors, from private equity funds, by selling stock, and directly from institutional investors (pension funds, endowments, and unions).  An important component in raising equity is the joint venture agreement that outlines the terms under which all parties will operate while the real estate is owned.  Read more

Leasing

Leasing is critical to commercial real estate.  For industrial, retail, and office properties it is actively negotiated with the assistance of brokers.  This allows for opportunities to drive revenue but comes at the expense of paying brokers commission and performing tenant improvements (TIs) to customize the space to the tenants.  Read more

Career Advice

Career.  It is a big word that is used regularly.  What does it really mean?  Let's start with a "job".  A job is anything that you do in exchange for some benefit, usually a paycheck.  You may love it.  You may hate it.  It might be similar to the job you had before, or it might be totally different.  Read more

Other Topics