Will China’s Growth Pick Up Again?

China and Australia have Solid RelationsAND WILL it keep underpinning both Australia AND Commercial property? Well, that really depends upon who it is you’re asking.

Most miners are somewhat guarded; many journalists are painting a gloomy picture; and Labor politicians seem to be arguing among themselves.

So, no wonder most of us are confused.

And whenever the general community is confused … it takes what seems to be the safest route, and simply does NOTHING.

This is the dilemma our economy faces right now.

Let’s peek behind the Chinese Curtain … [Read more…]

8 Things to Consider, When Buying a Commercial Property Investment

When Buying Commercial Property ...LEAVING aside things like projected cash flows, depreciation and taxation issues for moment … let’s look at some of the key factors that determine whether or not the property itself will stack up.

What follows is basically a checklist of the various aspects to investigate, when you start looking to purchase a Commercial investment property.

And, while this is not intended to be an exhaustive list, it should give you some insight into the depth of analysis you’ll need to undertake … as part of your due diligence process. [Read more…]

Improved Productivity Always Brings Pain!

Sector-by-sector Contributuion to GDPUNFORTUNATELY, you simply can’t avoid experiencing some pain … whenever structural changes occur within the economy.

However, these changes also provide considerable opportunities for the shrewd Commercial property investor. But more on that later. [Read more…]

Commercial Property: Where Should You Invest, Right Now?

PCA Office Survey provides a snapshotEVERY SIX MONTHS, the Property Council of Australia (PCA) conducts a nation-wide survey on the state of the Office market around the country.

The accompanying graph will give you a quick snapshot of where things currently stand.

However, even the Commercial property market has been subject to the influences of the much talked about “2-speed economy”. [Read more…]

How to Validate Your Commercial Property Purchase

Carrying out proper Due Dilignce is vitalMANY PEOPLE make the mistake of carrying out the due diligence study BEFORE they acquire their commercial properties.

This can end up becoming a very expensive process — because you can often miss out on the property, whenever someone else snaps it up, before you complete your study.

Therefore, the secret lies in ensuring you negotiate a deal — where your due diligence occurs AFTER you have tied up the property, under a binding contract of sale. [Read more…]

Confirmation That Commercial Property is Trending Up

A-REITs are a good gauge to where Commercial Property is headingWHILE EVERYONE seems to agree that the residential market is currently moving sideways, investors often find it difficult to gauge how direct investment into Commercial property is really travelling.

However, perhaps the best gauge is to take a look at what the share market thinks about A-REITs (Australian Real Estate Investment Trusts).

Generally, these yields tend to operate at about 1.5% to 2% below direct investment into property. Nonetheless, they can be a great indicator of where the present trend is heading. [Read more…]

Australia, the Global Economy and Commercial Property

GERRY HARVEY appeared to sum it up fairly well in a recent interview:
“It was unusual to have such a poor sentiment at a time when Australia’s economy was relatively strong compared to America and some countries in Europe.”

Overseas Property Investors are currently very active Harvey feels Australia has an economy regarded as strong by outsiders. And yet there is a total lack of confidence, and businesses are therefore suffering.

Overseas investors are actively targeting Australian Commercial Property — accounting for around half of all sales of over $30 million. Whereas, local investors remain hesitant. [Read more…]

Can Commercial Property Landlords Continue to Rely on the Government?

Office Workers within the CBDs around AustraliaAND THE ANSWER? Yes, but probably less than previously — due to both the State and the Federal austerity measures, currently being implemented.

Some of the recently-announced public service layoffs will remove the “automatic” component of government take-up, from the CBD Office demand equation. But that’s not altogether a bad thing. [Read more…]

Commercial Property Attracting Overseas Buyers

Melbourne Ofices in hot demand by overseas investorsACCORDING to a recent report by Property Watch, overseas investors appear to be strongly buying Office buildings, within Docklands and the CBD of Melbourne.

Currently, these Office purchases account for around 36% of all very major deals being transacted — and they seem to be driven by Melbourne having the 2nd lowest vacancy rate, after Perth. [Read more…]

How Will the RBA’s Decision Affect Commercial Property?

NOT EVERYONE was expecting the RBA to further ease the cash rate, when its Board met this week.

Some felt the Board would simply “keep its power dry”, and just wait to see how the outcome of the 17 June election in Greece unfolded.

Some economists like Saul Eslake (of Merrill Lynch) felt that the $2.5 billion of cash payments by way of government compensation for the carbon tax, would serve as “enough stimulus” for now.

But maybe, such thinking took too simplistic a view of things. [Read more…]

Emerging Trends in Commercial Property

Traditional Family Businesses have changed over time.SINCE THE 1800s, there has been a procession of younger family members joining long-established family businesses.

Traditionally, it has been sons following in their father’s footsteps.

But things started to change during the late 1970s and early 1980s, when you saw more daughters taking up the challenge, and also joining the family firm. [Read more…]