Diverse commercial investment key to property success

Many investors are familiar with the strategy of diversifying their assets and spreading their wealth (and consequently risk) across multiple investment vehicles.

When it comes to property investment, a lot of investors recognise the need and the role commercial property can play alongside an established residential portfolio. However, given the usually high cost of acquiring commercial property, few investors have the financial capability or appetite to add multiple commercial investments to their portfolio. This prevents investors from realising the benefits of growth and risk mitigation that come from investing across multiple industries and asset classes.

Why diversification is important in your wealth creation strategy

Commercial property investment can play a crucial role for income-focused investors due to the typically higher yields of commercial real estate. These generally sit between 5-7%, compared to the typical residential yield of 3-4%. However, commercial property can be heavily impacted by economic factors influencing industry segments. Longer vacancy periods, higher interest costs and higher deposits are all factors that can present significant risk factors to investors who may only be exposed to one type of commercial property.

Often, there can be significant differences in performance across the industrial, retail, office and medical sectors, with each segment subject to unique market factors at both state and national levels. As an investor, spreading your capital across different assets and industries can therefore help to build more risk mitigation into your portfolio, while also leveraging growth opportunities across different sectors.

Alternative ways to access commercial property

While a diverse commercial property investment strategy is attractive to many investors, with quality commercial assets generally costing at least $2 million (and with many high-quality assets costing significantly more), this may not be a viable financial option for everyone.

Commercial property funds, also referred to as commercial property syndicates, are often viewed by investors as a more accessible and logical means to access investment across commercial segments. While their pooled structure enables investors to gain exposure to commercial property with a much lower capital outlay, managed funds have the added advantage of an experienced, and hopefully proven, acquisitions and management team who can better ensure optimum return rates.

When approached correctly,  commercial property can be an incredibly valuable asset to have in your portfolio. However, like any investment, there are several factors that must be considered before deciding if it’s the right strategy for you, and professional advice for your situation should be obtained before making any decisions.