The purchase of a first property is a milestone moment on the timeline of any business. For one thing, it’s almost always a sign that the business is on the up (something that staff and customers alike will appreciate) — and it can also provide the bonus of an additional nest egg for you as the owner.
But getting that property purchase signed and sealed can sometimes be an uphill struggle. Find a lender who will consider mortgage applications from smaller and newer businesses. You will probably also find that the best business premises for sale do not tend to stay on the market for long. This makes it extremely useful to have a short-term financial fix, such as a bridging loan, at your fingertips to seize the right opportunity.
Here are some pointers on when it makes financial sense to consider switching from renting to buying business property. We’ll also outline some pitfalls small business owners can encounter before and during the purchase process — and how you can overcome them.
Buying a business property: when is the right time?
Especially when a business is still finding its feet, renting a space can make a lot of sense. Notably, other than paying the rental deposit, it enables you to move into a space with low upfront costs. You have the certainty of paying out the same amount for the property month-to-month — while major maintenance costs usually remain the landlord's responsibility.
Over time, the potential downside of commercial rentals can become more apparent. On the one hand, you have the flexibility of being able to give up the property at the end of the tenancy term (or on giving the required notice if it is a rolling arrangement). But equally, come renewal time, the landlord could decide to hike the rent — and by making your business a success, you might even have helped increase the property's rental value. Alternatively, the owner might have other plans for the premises, which means renewal isn’t an option.
Purchasing a property means no longer be faced with the uncertainty of rental increases and renewal issues. It can also be a valuable investment stepping stone for your business. In particular, once you have built up equity in the property, you may be able to use this as security on borrowing to fund further growth (by buying new equipment, for instance).
If you want greater security and control over the space you occupy, and if you are reasonably certain about the geographical location you want to be based in, purchasing a business property can make perfect sense.
The big financial challenges — and how to address them
Of course, there are several issues you can face when purchasing business property — so here are some of the most common ones encountered by small business owners:
Capacity planning
You do not want to go through the purchase process only to outgrow the space within a matter of months — or else to discover that it is far too big for your needs. The purchase of business property should normally be seen as a medium to long-term financial strategy. Otherwise, there’s a risk of being saddled with a property that fails to meet your needs and of repeat transaction costs eating into your profitability.
To avoid this, always refer closely to your longer-term business goals when considering when and what to buy. What are your realistic sales projections? Where do you see your business heading in 3-5 years? How does this translate into the amount and type of space you will require?
Long-term needs can be hard to predict. That said, don’t overlook the possibility of renting out part of the premises (a floor of office desks or workshop space, for instance) — at least in the short term. This can be an effective way of putting spare space to work, and rental income from it can offset the overall purchase costs.
Securing mortgage funding
Many business owners say that securing finance is one of the biggest challenges they face — and it’s certainly the case that some lenders are better than others when it comes to meeting the needs of small business owners.
If you focus on lenders who understand the realities of running a smaller business (issues such as income volatility and cash flow), your chances of being able to borrow the right amount on the right terms are much improved.
Getting hold of funds at short notice
Suppose you are browsing an auction catalogue and spot a property that matches your needs. But the auction is next week — and even if you were to make a successful bid, there is no possibility of getting the funds together to make the required deposit payment.
Or perhaps you’ve spotted attractive premises for sale, and the asking price is just above your budget — but the owner has agreed on a time-constrained reduction.
Not many small business owners have a big pot of capital to draw from — and if you cannot get your resources together in time, it can mean missing the perfect property. For some people, a business loan from a traditional source (such as your bank) can be the answer. But as with mortgages, standard high-street lenders can sometimes be reluctant to approve such requests without lengthy enquiries — by which time, the opportunity might have passed.
You may be waiting for payment from a big contract to come through to fund your deposit, or as in the case of auction purchase, you need access to funds quicker than it takes to get the mortgage finalised. A bridging loan is a short-term arrangement secured on property you intend to purchase, which you pay back as soon as your mortgage is in place or funds from another source are received. It can often be arranged within a few days, providing the ideal ‘stop gap’ to get the purchase through.
What next?
With a range of bridging loan options at your fingertips, it becomes so much easier to secure the ideal property for your business. If you’re interested in learning more about how to make the most out of your property opportunities, speak to Aria Finance today.
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