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In the dynamic landscape of business entrepreneurship, the choice between owning and renting a commercial property can be a pivotal decision that shapes the trajectory of the company and your personal economics. Today, we delve into this critical matter, shedding light on the advantages of both options, and the reasons why leasing a building for a proposed business could indeed be a game-changing strategy.
The question often arises: “Is leasing a building for a proposed business a good idea?” Jetall Capital’s CEO Ali Choudhri says, “The answer is nuanced, and depends on a variety of factors. However, leasing can offer a host of compelling benefits, making it an enticing choice for many entrepreneurs.”
1) Flexibility and Agility
Leasing a commercial property provides businesses with unparalleled flexibility. In a fast-paced business environment, the ability to scale up or down quickly is essential. Leasing grants the freedom to adapt to changing market conditions, allowing businesses to respond promptly to opportunities and challenges. Lease terms are negotiable and if flexibility is needed, then you simply need to add that into your considerations at time of the contract negotiations.
2) Cost Considerations: Leasing vs. Owning
For startups and businesses looking to conserve initial capital, leasing is a prudent choice. The upfront costs of leasing are typically far lower compared to purchasing a property outright. This enables businesses to allocate resources to core operations, innovation, and expansion. In fact, many building owners will grant Tennant Improvement (TI) Dollars as part of the lease negotiations.
3) Maintenance and Repairs
One of the often-overlooked benefits of leasing is the reduced responsibility for property maintenance and repairs. Property owners or managers often handle these tasks, alleviating the burden on businesses and enabling them to focus on their core competencies. Oftentimes a lease is financially responsible on a prorate basis to a portion of certain repairs, but they have zero responsibility to find the problem, permitting, contractor management, etc.
4) Prime Locations
Leasing opens the door to prime locations that might otherwise be financially out of reach for purchasing. Businesses can position themselves in bustling commercial hubs, maximizing their visibility and accessibility to customers. Most of the non-speculative space is held by trusts that are not looking to sell in most cases, so leasing is often-times the only way to get into the most desirable locations.
5) Tax Benefits
Leasing expenses are typically tax-deductible, offering potential financial advantages for businesses. This can lead to significant savings, making leasing a financially smart choice. Long term implications on taxes should, of course, be run by your CPA or financial advisor.
6) Evolving Needs
As businesses grow and evolve, their spatial requirements may change. Leasing allows businesses to adapt their spaces to match their current needs, ensuring optimal efficiency and functionality. Whether you need to grow or have to shrink, this is all negotiable in the contract stage.
7) Testing the Waters
Leasing can be an excellent way for businesses to test a new market or concept without committing to long-term property investment. It provides an opportunity to gather insights and data before making a larger commitment.
In summation, the decision between owning and renting commercial property demands thoughtful evaluation of immediate and long-term objectives. While leasing may provide immediate flexibility, owning a commercial property unlocks a plethora of advantages that extend far into the future. From building equity and enjoying tax incentives to maintaining control and forging a potent brand identity, the benefits of ownership are also very clear.
The decision to buy vs leasing is a decision based on your long-term goals, the stability and growth trajectory of your business, and if you are going to remain single or multi-location. These are just a few of the many issues you should take into consideration as you embrace this next step in your company’s growth.
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Jetall Capital is a family-owned real estate investment and management firm, which through its principals, commenced operations in 1961 in London, England. Lead by Mr. Ali Choudhri, Jetall Capital is a family-owned real estate investment and management firm, which is now the largest private owner of commercial office space in Houston’s Galleria submarket – managing over 1 million square feet of high-value property throughout Houston, Austin, and Dallas.
Contact:
Jetall Capital
Aiden Porter
mediaops@jetallcompanies.com
713-789-7654
