Archive for month: April, 2022

Healthcare real estate has been a growing asset over the last several years and it will continue to be a good place to invest based on expert opinion. Healthcare real estate assets include hospitals, medical centers, nursing facilities, and retirement homes. 

Why Invest in Healthcare Real Estate?

Healthcare is one of the most interesting spaces for private equity real estate investors. The success of this real estate is directly tied to the healthcare system.  If you’re looking for a solid real estate investment, it pays to look at healthcare REITs or real estate investment trusts.

Benefits

Healthcare REITs benefit from the massive and growing healthcare industry, one of the largest stock market sectors. While healthcare spending in the U.S. peaked at $3.8 trillion in 2019, it declined by 2% in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it started growing again in 2021 and is on track to top $6 trillion by 2028.

Forecasts suggest the demand for healthcare-related real estate will continue growing. REITs are likely to benefit from steadily rising rental rates on existing properties. In addition, they should be able to develop new properties to meet the growing needs of the healthcare industry.

One of the drivers of the sector’s projected growth is the aging of the baby boom generation. The population of individuals over the age of 80 years old is expected to be one of the fastest-growing age groups through 2029. The increase in the ranks of the elderlyis predicted to  drive demand for senior housing and skilled nursing facilities. Such growth is likely to benefit healthcare REITs focused on those properties as they report higher occupancy levels, allowing them to raise their rates.

Risks

While healthcare REITs are less risky than other healthcare investments because of their generally stable rental income, they’re not without risk.

• Leverage risk: REITs borrow heavily to acquire and develop real estate. The debt reduces their financial flexibility during economic recessions.
• Interest rate risk: REITs are highly sensitive to changes in interest rates. Higher rates increase their cost of debt, given the sector’s use of leverage. In addition, higher interest rates give income-focused investors more investment options that offer an attractive income yield, such as government and corporate bonds, which can weigh on REIT stock prices.
• Oversupply risk: Healthcare REITs need to match their development plans with demand. Given the highly specialized nature of most healthcare facilities, REITs need to be careful not to build too much supply or it is likely that it will sit vacant.
• Tenant risk: Healthcare REITs rely on their tenants to pay rent and manage senior living facilities effectively. However, healthcare margins are relatively thin, which can cause operators to run into financial trouble if they’re not vigilant. That can affect rental receipts and force a healthcare REIT to find a new tenant for their facility if an operator can’t meet its financial obligations.
• Pandemic/flu season risk: Virus outbreaks can significantly affect healthcare REITs, especially those focused on senior housing. This can cause occupancy to decline as more patients check out than are admitted.

How to Invest in Healthcare Real Estate

Healthcare REITs

Healthcare REITs own, operate, manage, acquire, and develop healthcare-related real estate. These facilities include senior living communities, hospitals, medical offices, outpatient facilities, life science innovation and research properties, and skilled nursing facilities. Medical commercial real estate is often called MedTail, short for medical retail.

Most healthcare REITs make money by leasing space in their facilities to tenants such as healthcare systems, primarily under triple net leases. This lease structure requires the tenant to cover maintenance, real estate taxes, and building insurance. The structure provides REITS with a very predictable stream of rental income, making them ideal stocks to invest in during a recession.

Some healthcare REITs also operate the facilities they own, such as senior living communities. They typically hire a third-party manager who earns a fee for managing the property’s day-to-day operations. The healthcare REIT generates net operating income from the fees paid on behalf of patients for their housing and any services provided. The income can vary due to fluctuations in occupancy levels and rates.

Consult a SIG Advisor

If you’re interested in healthcare real estate investment, get in touch with a SIG advisor. Our experts can help you find the right healthcare property for your portfolio. SIG is home to experienced brokers that are designated experts in all areas of CRE, including healthcare real estate.

 

Want to learn more? Call 844.4.SIG.NNN or contact us here to consult with a SIG advisor about growing your commercial real estate portfolio. 

Mixed-use zoning is a type of urban zoning that blends multiple types of properties that would fall into more than one standard zoning category. Mixed-use zoning is applied to places where residential, commercial, and industrial spaces are integrated. Often these developments are “walkable” or have pedestrian connections. Read more →

Whether you are brand new to CRE or a veteran investor, the time is going to come when you want to start growing your commercial real estate portfolio. Even if you have solid investments in place, it’s wise to look for ways to build your portfolio into one that will help you meet your financial goals.

No two investment portfolios are identical and investors typically choose different CRE asset types to put their money into. Real estate portfolios can include investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs), real estate mutual funds, or investment properties like office, retail, multifamily, or industrial space.

Tips for Growing Your Commercial Real Estate Portfolio

When growing your commercial real estate portfolio, there are several areas you should focus on. From finding the asset types that will serve you best all the way through deal negotiation, the following tips will be helpful as your CRE portfolio develops.

Setting Goals and Making Plans

The first step in building your CRE portfolio is to think about your financial goals. What do you want your investments to achieve? Are you looking for an additional source of monthly income to pay the bills? Do you want to work towards complete financial freedom and build a business based on CRE investments? Do you want to put away more money for your family and retirement? These are all valid goals that a good CRE investment portfolio can help you achieve.

Once you have set your financial goals, you can make a plan to build a portfolio that will serve your needs. Creating a real estate business plan with specific goals laid out will give you a roadmap to follow on your investment journey. The map may change, but having a starting point is essential. Consulting with an investment advisor specializing in commercial real estate is beneficial for making your CRE business plan.

Exploring Different CRE Asset Types

If you’re interested in growing your commercial real estate portfolio, keep an open mind about investing in different types of commercial properties. There are a lot of commercial properties out there, and not all of them will be right for your portfolio, but some will. The best type of property for your portfolio will depend on the market you’re in, how much money you have to invest, your timeline, and many other factors. That’s why we recommend consulting a commercial real estate advisor about different types of properties.

You will want to consider the type of income you want from your property as well as the CRE product type that will provide the best return on investment for you.

Types of Property Investment Income

One factor to take into account when you’re looking to build a strong CRE portfolio is the type of income you want from your property investment. There are two types of investment income: cash flow and capital gains (sometimes called capital growth). To build a strong portfolio, you might want to consider both types of investment income.

Capital Gains Investments

Capital gains investments are made with the goal of capitalizing on the long-term appreciation of a property. In simpler terms, you buy a property with the intention of keeping it for a period of time before selling it for a profit. The popular motto of “buy low and sell high” is the central idea of capital gains investing. ROI is usually higher in capital gains investment than it is in cash flow investment. However, it is riskier because there is more speculation involved and market fluctuations can make a big impact on success.

Capital gains investors are often called “flippers” and fall into two categories:

1. Investors who buy a property and flip it as-is: These investors buy on market speculation. They buy properties and don’t make any changes in anticipation that the market down the road will yield a profit when they sell the property.
2. Investors who buy, fix, and flip a property: These investors buy properties and invest time, money, and labor into improving the properties with the goal of using the upgrades to increase the value and selling price of the property.

Cash Flow Investments

Cash flow investments are based on the potential return on investment (ROI) the investment will yield on a regular basis. Rental properties in asset classes like office space, multifamily buildings, and self-storage facilities are examples of cash flow investments. Cash flow is your profit after collecting income, paying expenses, and reserving funds for future expenses or repairs.

Cash flow investments are usually long-term compared to capital gains investments. With a cash flow investment, you’re not purchasing the property with the intention of selling within a short span of time. When deciding whether or not a cash flow property is a good addition to your portfolio, keep these factors in mind:

• The rentability of the property and projected occupancy
• The expenses related to maintaining and/or improving the property
• The potential for property value appreciation

CRE Product Types

Commercial properties can also be put into different categories based on the type of business that uses the property, or what the purpose of the property is. These categories include multifamily, office, retail, industrial, hospitality, and special use. Sands Investment Group specializes in the following CRE product types:

• Automotive
• Convenience Store
• Dollar Store
• Drugstore
• Early Education
• Industrial
• Medical
• Office
• Owner-User
• Restaurant
• Retail
• Self Storage
• Strip Centers

Acquiring Assets

With your goals set and a plan in place, you can start building their portfolios by acquiring assets. The acquisition process includes:

• Studying Market Trends
• Evaluating Properties
• Analyzing Potential Income
• Calculating Expenses of Purchase
• Negotiating a Deal

Studying the market and looking at the properties that fit into your investment strategy are the beginning stages of the acquisition process. This groundwork is important for making the right choice, but there’s a lot more work involved. You may have found your dream property to add to your portfolio, but you need to analyze your potential income and calculate the expenses involved in purchasing the property before you can start negotiating a deal.

Getting a commercial property appraisal is an important part of the property evaluation process. No matter what your goals are with the purchase or sale of a property, an appraisal will be necessary. A commercial real estate appraisal helps to determine the value of a property. To learn about this step in the process, read our guide on What You Need to Know About a Commercial Real Estate Appraisal.

And of course, negotiating and closing the deal completes the acquisition process. Partnering with the right broker during your CRE purchase will help you negotiate the best deal possible for all parties involved. After a property is acquired and added to your portfolio, you can start considering your next move.

Balancing and Diversifying the Portfolio

As you are growing your commercial real estate portfolio, it’s important to take steps to balance and diversify the portfolio. As has been stated many times, you cannot avoid risk in the world of commercial real estate investment if you want to reap the rewards of profit. However, there is a line between taking risks and being reckless with your money. Diversifying your investments has the potential to strike a healthy balance between risk and reward.

Even when staying on top of commercial real estate trends, the market can be unpredictable and sometimes volatile. Having a balanced and diversified CRE portfolio can reduce the risk of loss or soften the blow if a certain asset class takes a hit in the market.

What Is Diversification?

When referring to investing as a whole (not just CRE investments), a diversified portfolio would include components like domestic and international stocks, bonds, short-term investments, mutual funds, and real estate investments.

Diversifying Commercial Real Estate Investment

Diversification means investing in different property types with unique risk-reward profiles. Investors can diversify their CRE portfolios in several ways, including:

• Investing in different asset types
• Investing in different asset classes
• Diversifying investments by geographical location or market
• Using multiple investment strategies and hold-times
• Mixing passive and active investments

Exploring different CRE product types is a great way to start the diversification process. You may also want to consider growing your commercial real estate portfolio with alternative investments. To learn more, read our guide to Diversifying Your Portfolio with Alternative Investments.

Choosing the right strategy for growing your commercial real estate portfolio will depend on economic and demographic cycles. An experienced commercial real estate advisor will be able to help you navigate the different types of properties and which would suit your CRE portfolio best.

Get in Touch with a SIG Advisor

If you’re interested in growing your commercial real estate portfolio, get in touch with a SIG advisor. Our experts are uniquely positioned to help you get the most out of your investments. We have brokers that are designated experts in each CRE product type.

Want to learn more? Call 844.4.SIG.NNN or contact us here to consult with a SIG advisor about growing your commercial real estate portfolio.

If you’ve read our post on Why You Should Consider a Childcare Asset for Your Next Net Lease Investment and want to learn more about early education property investments, you’ve come to the right place. We’re exploring more details about this asset class and providing crucial considerations for when you’re ready to make your next commercial real estate investment. Read more →