There's a huge problem in the commercial real estate business that nobody is talking about- DUE DILIGENCE. The vast majority of investors, real estate brokers and commercial real estate professionals barely scratch the surface conducting their due diligence when purchasing commercial real estate investments. Investors are taking unnecessary risks, making bad investments and throwing money away by not properly performing due diligence. Brokers are putting themselves at risk for potential litigation and missing an opportunity to help their clients as a true ally by learning these principles and adding more value for their clients when purchasing investment properties. Having and adhering to a proven system keeps you from missing something and allows you to do it faster, more efficiently. If you're an investor looking to buy apartments, office, industrial or retail buildings , this proven system will help you to make it less stressful and allow you to make a more informed and intelligent decision. I've been in the commercial real estate industry for over 30 years and "didn't know what I didn't know" until I became an acquisition person for an investor and his investors. Some of these lessons were costly and frankly, embarrassing. This "reference manual" was put together during the acquisition of over 9 million square feet. Some of the things you will learn:* What to negotiate in the purchase and sale agreement so that you can maximize the opportunities for yourself when it comes time to negotiate further with the seller* How to properly review leases so that you know what to look for that could be cause for concern* How to choose a lender or mortgage broker* Third party reports, such as Environmental; Property Condition Assessment; Seismic/PML; Geologic and other reports that a lender may require and what to look for in them* Tips on how to negotiate loan terms and specific provisions in them* Conducting tenant interviews and what questions to ask them so that you can uncover any problems or issues that you would otherwise not be made aware of (Super Powerful. Must learn or you'll miss out.)* Cost cutting tips and strategies that will help you add value to the property once you own it* What to look for when reviewing books and records and what to ask the seller for* One of the most critical processes done during the due diligence process is the underwriting and financial analysis. In the book there is a list of questions that must be addressed and answered while adjusting your analysis of the investment and will help you to accurately assess the potential of how the numbers should work* How to deal with the appraiser and appraisal process to be more proactive and enhance the potential for the highest possible loan amount* How to ensure that you are getting everything you deserve when finalizing the transaction and what to look for on the closing statement that may be added by the seller or lender as a credit to them, that you can get eliminated or at least negotiated down by being aware of what to look forIn addition, you get at the end of the book:* A Sample Lease Abstract Form (which shows you how to fill in all the salient deal points and provisions of a lease document)* Due Diligence Checklist (a list of most all items of which you should ask a seller for when negotiating a purchase)* Due Diligence Document Checklist (A list of most all of the documents you should request from a seller when negotiating a purchase)* Sample Tenant Questionnaire (a sample list of questions that you should ask of tenants when conducting a tenant interview)The fundamentals remain the same when it comes to due diligence for any of the commercial real estate genres, whether it be office or industrial properties; retail or multi-family residential. I still use it as a reference tool whenever I'm involved with due diligence. We need reminding as much as we need learning. There are just too many things to remember.

UPDATED THIRD EDITION There''s a HUGE problem in the commercial real estate business that nobody is talking about- DUE DILIGENCE. Investors are leaving big money on the table by not learning these essential principles. Most investors, real estate brokers and commercial real estate professionals barely scratch the surface conducting their due diligence. Mainly because "they don''t know what they don''t know. I''ve spent over 30 years helping investors buy and sell over 9 million square feet of property and witnessed the practices of professional and small investors. It wasn''t until I became an acquisition executive and learned some humiliating, expensive lessons that "I didn''t know what I didn''t know". You will learn how to avoid mistakes with costly consequences, create more value, and more essential information for buying investment property. This book is a #1 Best Seller of commercial real estate books on Amazon. It is an easy-to-follow, proven "step by step" system that investors and real estate professionals use regularly while conducting their due diligence. It will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions when deciding whether to buy or NOT buy. Adhering to a proven system allows you to conduct due diligence faster, easier, more efficiently and you''re less likely to miss something. Here are just a few of the lessons you''ll learn: Negotiating the purchase and sale agreement and what you MUST include in order to maximize your opportunities to negotiate further with the seller. (Super important to know.) Reviewing the leases Not knowing what provisions to watch for could cost you dearly once you own it. (Don''t leave it up to chance to "work out.") Uncovering hidden problems and issues (Sellers will NOT disclose these, so you need to know where to look for them. They will not "hand you a list of problems" about the property. Many of these issues could make or break your investment.) Critical factors to consider during your financial analysis. There''s a list of essential questions included that MUST be addressed. (Leaving these questions unanswered can be potentially devastating to an investment.) Not "over-paying" by making sure you''re getting all you deserve, by getting credited fairly for items on the closing statement. (This includes specific items to review, instructions on what to ask for to minimize your chances of getting taken advantage of, potentially losing big money by not having this information.) These fundamentals remain the same and are all applicable whether they are: residential rental properties, industrial, retail, or office buildings. This system will help reduce risk and create value for all of them. In addition, the handbook includes: PHYSICAL & MECHANICAL INSPECTION PHOTOS (That shows you what to look for and how to assess issues.) Due Diligence Checklist Due Diligence Document Checklist Sample Tenant Questionnaire (A sample list of questions that you should ask of tenants when conducting a tenant interview. This is a wealth of information when done properly. Learn this or lose out.) By having this valuable system, you will be more prepared and confident in your ability to negotiate, going up against ANY seller. As a pilot uses a pre-flight checklist prior to each flight, you''ll want to refer to this handbook every time you buy an investment property.There are too many things to remember. We need reminding as much as we need learning! Warren Buffet said, "Risk comes from not knowing what you''re doing." So having a proven system in place helps you know what you''re doing.Buy the book now! It will be one of the best investments in real estate you ever make. Not buying it could be one of your most costly decisions.

A Codifying “Best Practices” Guide to Effectively Managing the Entire Real Estate Investment Process The Handbook of Commercial Real Estate Investing delivers an authoritative “best practices” approach to the three major areas of the industry: investment transactions, asset management, and enterprise management. Skillfully written by John McMahan, a leader of the U.S. commercial real estate investment industry, The Handbook of Commercial Real Estate Investing presents state-of-the-art methods needed to successfully invest in and manage commercial properties such as office buildings, shopping centers, industrial buildings, apartments, and hotels. Designed to codify the industry “best practices” encouraged by financial institutions, The Handbook of Commercial Real Estate Investing offers: Complete guidelines for the critical “due diligence” stage of the investment process Effective asset management techniques for leasing, property management, and tenant relations Detailed procedures for reporting to investors on the financial performance of the real estate portfolio Information on using technology in the “due diligence” process A wealth of sample forms and checklists used in real estate investment A valuable glossary of real estate investment terms Authoritative and easy to use, The Handbook of Commercial Real Estate Investing will serve as a valuable strategic guide to managing the overall real estate investment process, as well as a “best practices” tool for improving each operating area.>

Make real estate part of your investing strategy! Thinking about becoming a commercial real estate investor? Commercial Real Estate Investing For Dummies covers the entire process, offering practical advice on negotiation and closing win-win deals and maximizing profit. From office buildings to shopping centers to apartment buildings, it helps you pick the right properties at the right time for the right price. Yes, there is a fun and easy way to break into commercial real estate, and this is it. This comprehensive handbook has it all. You’ll learn how to find great properties, size up sellers, finance your investments, protect your assets, and increase your property’s value. You’ll discover the upsides and downsides of the various types of investments, learn the five biggest myths of commercial real estate investment, find out how to recession-proof your investment portfolio, and more. Discover how to: Get leads on commercial property investments Determine what a property is worth Find the right financing for you Handle inspections and fix problems Make big money in land development Manage your properties or hire a pro Exploit the tax advantages of commercial real estate Find out what offer a seller really-really wants Perform due diligence before you make a deal Raise capital by forming partnerships Investing in commercial property can make you rich in any economy. Get Commercial Real Estate For Dummies, and find out how.

Due diligence is the bedrock of real estate deals, regardless of the volume of transaction. This book presents a comprehensive guide to understanding and implementing due diligence and making an accurate assessment of the risks. While this process has become a “no-brainer” for investment professionals, the market standard on this essential topic has not yet been laid out in a comprehensive form that covers all the major aspects of real estate due diligence: legal, tax, financial and technical issues. This book fulfils that need, and gives it a form that can be used for German, European, or even international transactions. Written in a reader-friendly fashion, the easily navigable chapters are organized into the four due diligence dimensions, with ample examples and key takeaways. Be they real estate investors, or a management students specializing in the asset class, this book is a core resource for anyone wanting to get to grips with due diligence.

The missing link to determining a company’s real value Most people at the M&A table know how to carry out financial and legal due diligence. Only the accomplished investors come prepared with an in-depth understanding of the complete due diligence process. Operations Due Diligence is a game-changing guide for investors who need a fully accurate determination on the sustainability of a business. Written by a hands-on operations executive who has successfully implemented process improvement programs at large and small businesses, this practical guidebook sets itself apart by providing a step-by-step strategy for analyzing the toughest area of a business to assess: its operations. Unlike financial and legal due diligence, there were no principles such as law and accounting to guide operations due diligence—until now. This turnkey approach, based on a pragmatic series of almost 400 questions, helps you accurately assess the infrastructures of a business’s customer satisfaction, production, information management, sales and marketing, organization, and personnel, as well as its finances and legal operations. For managers and business owners looking to improve the sustainability of their business, this guided inquiry serves as a thorough operations checklist to next-level performance. Whether you are an investor trying to capture a new opportunity with minimal risk or an executive struggling to improve your business, Operations Due Diligence gives you a distinct advantage by: Going a step further than most books and illustrating how to analyze your discoveries Using historic examples to make the lessons both understandable and memorable Clearly explaining how and why each sector is an important indicator of the long-term sustainability of a business Conveniently locating infrastructure summary questions at the end of chapters for quick reference Providing a document checklist so nothing gets overlooked at the negotiating table The highest-valued companies and their investors know that producing the best products and services isn’t enough. Survival depends on continually improving infrastructure through Operations Due Diligence.