Retail Sector Still Struggles

ONLINE SHOPPING boomed during the lockdown. However, smaller retail outlets in strip centres and malls are actually struggling.

A recent study showed 37% of some 10,000 tenancies are run by small business owners – with just 1 to 3 outlets. And they mostly comprise food, health and beauty. [Read more…]

Commercial Property Investing: 5 Golden Rules

Golden-RulesWITH THE PROPER guidance, Commercial property will prove to be a very rewarding investment — and in different ways.

However, there are several Golden Rules you really should keep in mind. [Read more…]

More on Industrial Property …

ONLY RECENTLY, I flagged the emerging opportunity being provided by Industrial property. But I felt it was important for you to understand the underlying reason for that.

In a nutshell, it comes down to our persistently high dollar.

What?s driving the dollar crazy?

In last weekend’s Financial Review (page 24), Joanna Heath posed the following question:

Can you name Australia’s second-largest export?

She went on to point out that it’s not … coal, gas or wheat. Instead, it is actually Australian Commonwealth Bonds! [Read more…]

Buying Offices Requires You To Understand The Local Markets

Suburnban Offices are in DemandNOT THAT long ago, the Office market as a whole was progressing well … right around Australia.

However, following the GFC, each local suburban market has been recovering at a different pace.

Perth rebounded rather dramatically, once the mining sector started to pick up again. And yet it has suddenly plateaued, while mining currently takes a breather. [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…]

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…]

Is It Wise To Borrow When You Buy Commercial Property?

Prudent Borrowing can accelerate your return

There is no doubt, you can certainly accelerate your overall return from Commercial property, by gearing up with a loan.

Even so, you should FIRST make sure that you can say “Yes” to each of the following questions. [Read more…]

Industrial Property Is Clearly Holding Its Own

Industrial Rentals set to rise, and Selling Yields will begin to firm.Vacancy rates for Industrial property have fallen dramatically over the past year — declining by 39% on average, across the country.

This is mainly the result of strong demand for warehousing, following the high Australian dollar.

Plus, there has only been a modest amount of new construction. And that means you should see rentals improve and selling yields start to firm. [Read more…]

Is the Mining Boom Causing a Surge in New Cafes?

New Restaurants & Cafes are emerging everywhereFOR SOME time now, the RBA has been as assuring us of the flow-on benefits soon to reach the non-mining states of Victoria and New South Wales.

However, these benefits may not be very easy to recognise. And so, let’s attempt to make things a little clearer. [Read more…]

Is The Mining Boom Masking a Major Problem for Commercial Property in Queensland and WA?

Queensland & WA will have the greatest amount of Distressed PropertyTHIS RATHER pressing issue appears to be receiving little or no coverage at all.

But if you listen to the insolvency firms, Western Australia is about to become the “hot spot” for distressed property.

And as you can see from the chart, Queensland well and truly holds the the crown at the moment. [Read more…]