Selling commercial property can be challenging, particularly in the current environment where many companies have left the office to work from home.
According to Gary Palmer, CEO of Paragon Lending Solutions, there are more ways than simply lowering the price of a property to entice a suitable buyer:
Offer rental guarantees
Rental guarantees are designed for the benefit of buyers and would usually be put in place to mitigate rental income risk and to incentivise a buyer to commit to a transaction. The seller of a property guarantees some – or all – of the rental income for an agreed period once the buyer has taken transfer of the property. This means that the seller remains responsible for any rental income that the buyer cannot collect, depending on the terms.
Consider warranties
Sellers can offer buyers a warranty on the property structure. For example, the seller will take financial responsibility for any building repairs for a period. This can bring peace of mind to buyers, particularly as any faults on the property might be difficult to spot immediately. The assurance that comes with the seller’s warranty can also speed up the buyer’s decision to commit.
Arrange for a sale and leaseback agreement
Sellers can sell a property and remain on the premises as a tenant i.e., a sale and leaseback agreement which is becoming a distinct trend in commercial property transactions. Essentially, the seller agrees to be a long-term tenant of the property, easing some concerns for the buyer. Securing a tenant is often a large part of the success of a commercial property transaction, so with the right conditions, this could be a good option.
Some sellers may simply be looking for working capital, so raising funds on their bonded or paid-off commercial assets can be a lucrative prospect. It is essential, of course, to find a buyer who understands the business otherwise this can attract risks, like having a different vision for the use of the property.
Try a vendor loan
In this instance, the seller leaves some money in the transaction, so in effect, the new buyer still owes the seller money. The seller is just leaving some ‘skin in the game’, but it can also help to convince the buyer and spread the risk, if the buyer’s initial outlay is reduced in this way.
Commercial property is typically more liquid than residential, depending on the yield. It does not only come down to tenant occupancy, but how much it costs to run a property. Commercial tenants tend to cover the costs of running a property, so property ownership can be fruitful, combined with rental income. It is the potential for income – and paying tenants – that most investors are looking for, especially with low interest rates.
Sellers are urged to get creative and to be more flexible in their terms. There is a buyer out there, it may just take some patience and reorganising what is on offer, to successfully make the sale.
