How HBC Invest helps you buy commercial property

Not every property is worth buying.

Commercial property is generally assessed according to its income, lease quality, tenant strength and long-term utility.

That creates an opportunity to make more disciplined, commercially focused decisions, but only when the underlying information is properly understood.

Our process ensures that you make calm, data-driven buying decisions that compound over time.

  • We start by understanding:

    • Your budget

    • Borrowing position

    • Income requirements

    • Risk tolerance

    • Preferred property type

    • Investment timeframe

    • Existing portfolio

    • Whether the property is for investment or owner-occupation

    The objective is to define what a suitable commercial property actually looks like before you begin inspecting opportunities.

  • We search for commercial properties that align with your agreed strategy.

    This may include properties being sold:

    • On market

    • Before they are publicly advertised

    • Through agent and industry relationships

    • By private negotiation

    • At auction

    • Through expressions of interest

    The objective is not to show you more properties. It is to narrow the market to the opportunities worth seriously considering.

  • Before recommending that you proceed, we assess the property beyond its headline price and advertised yield.

    Depending on the asset, this may include reviewing:

    • Location fundamentals

    • Land and building size

    • Current rental income

    • Lease term and options

    • Rent review structure

    • Outgoings

    • Tenant profile

    • Vacancy risk

    • Building configuration

    • Access and exposure

    • Comparable sales

    • Market rent

    • Future leasing appeal

    • Potential capital expenditure

    • Planning and property constraints

  • Commercial property due diligence can be more involved than residential due diligence.

    We help coordinate and interpret the information required to make an informed decision, working alongside your solicitor, accountant, finance broker, building inspector, town planner, valuer and other advisers where required.

    The due diligence process may consider:

    • The lease and disclosure documents

    • Tenant payment history

    • Rent reviews and option periods

    • Recoverable and non-recoverable outgoings

    • Planning and permitted use

    • Building condition

    • Statutory compliance

    • Environmental matters

    • Existing fit-outs

    • Maintenance responsibilities

    • Finance conditions

    • Valuation risk

    • Potential vacancy and leasing costs

  • The advertised yield does not tell the full story.

    We consider the income, lease, tenant, market rent, comparable sales, likely future expenses and broader risks before providing our view of value.

    That gives you a clearer basis for deciding:

    • Whether to proceed

    • What conditions may be required

    • How much you should offer

    • Where you should stop

  • We represent you throughout the negotiation process.

    That may include:

    • Developing the offer strategy

    • Recommending price and conditions

    • Presenting the offer

    • Managing agent communication

    • Negotiating price and terms

    • Coordinating with your legal and finance advisers

    • Representing you at auction

    • Keeping the process moving towards contract and settlement

    Our job is not to talk you into buying.

    Our job is to help you buy the right property on commercially sensible terms—and tell you when an opportunity is not worth pursuing.

  • Once the property is under contract, we remain involved through the due diligence, finance and settlement process.

    We help coordinate the moving parts, follow up outstanding information and keep you informed through to completion.

Work with us
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The commercial specific risks we help you mitigate

Vacancy risk

A residential property may be re-leased within weeks.

A commercial property can remain vacant for months, particularly when it is highly specialised, poorly located or experiencing limited tenant demand.

The cost of vacancy may extend beyond lost rent. You may also become responsible for:

  • Outgoings

  • Insurance

  • Maintenance

  • Leasing fees

  • Tenant incentives

  • Fit-out contributions

  • Finance repayments

Finance risk

Commercial lending may require:

  • A larger deposit

  • Stronger servicing

  • More detailed financial information

  • A professional valuation

  • Higher interest-coverage ratios

  • Evidence of investment or business experience

The lease term and tenant quality may also influence the lender’s assessment.

Tenant risk

The tenant is one of the most important parts of a commercial property investment.

We consider:

  • The tenant’s business

  • Trading history

  • Financial strength

  • Payment history

  • Industry outlook

  • Lease obligations

  • Security deposit or bank guarantee

  • Remaining lease term

  • Likelihood of renewal

A long lease is only valuable when the tenant can continue meeting its obligations.

Lease risk

Small differences in lease wording can materially affect the investment.

The lease may determine:

  • Who pays which outgoings

  • How rent increases

  • Who maintains the property

  • What happens at the end of the lease

  • Whether the tenant has options

  • Whether incentives must be provided

  • What the tenant must remove or reinstate

  • Whether the rent reflects the current market

Building and obsolescence risk

Commercial buildings are purchased for their utility.

A building that suits the current tenant may not suit the next one.

We assess how the property is likely to function over time, not simply how it performs under the current lease.