17-Point Checklist for Commercial Real Estate Acquisitions to do Due Diligence

Due diligence is a complicated, comprehensive, and critical stage for any real estate acquisition. It is the step for investigating and inspecting a property, personal, or business entity to help a buyer decide on the purchase.

A buyer in such situations does not want to leave any single opportunity and waste any time reviewing the essential aspects and documentation about the property to make the final deal. However, the process isn’t simple.

There is a lot of documentation and steps involved, which can take time. Thus, having a good idea of such steps will be highly beneficial. Here are the details for your help.

Commercial real estate-Why is it essential?

The due diligence process is essential to resolve any buyer’s doubt about a commercial property they are committed to buying. The method includes details of important information about the property, which is vital for the buyer.

Due diligence is one of the essential agreements required during the acquisition of commercial real estate property in the current times. The action is capable enough of impacting the property and the advantages of the property deal.

Although pay great attention to facilitate the deal closure, it is vital to check the following documents- permission to use, legal documents for construction, debt, and other legal documents that can bring forward issues for the commercial property in the coming time. Also, you need to check the agreement of the commercial real estate hard money lenders needs of the bond.

Due diligence is performed to acquire the correct information about a commercial real estate property. Here are some points which must be considered during the due diligence process.

• Type of the property
• Thorough detail of the commercial property transaction
• Type of capital used
• Allocated time for payment fulfillment
• The loan available for the commercial property

Types of real estate due diligence process

Based on the ownership, type of activity, and other factors due diligence process is divided into the following.

1. Financial due diligence

This due diligence process includes a thorough examination and the organization’s money objective survey. It performed to find details to expense forms, proclamations, bookkeeping arrangements, and monetary patterns. It is the beginning step of moving ahead with the industriousness process.

• Legal, due diligence

In this due diligence process, there is a careful examination and audit of audit archives, ecological variables, continuous interrupted and potential prosecution, and lawful and administrative consistency.

• Business due diligence

In this due diligence, there is an investigation and audit of the key and strategies for clients, items success and market and rivalry. It helps the buyer recognize if the business will experience any change and if one client will involve in a vast dominant part of the client base objective. In this manner, the only exhibiting danger the client leaves will result in a close exchange.

• Operations due diligence

In this due diligence, there is an examination and audit of the innovation of a settled resources, offices, land, and protection scope of an organization. It helps identify early operational hazard which can cause trouble or hamper evaluation of the arrangement by an imaginative sketch.

• HR due diligence

This due diligence focuses on the advantages of representative, administration, association structure, staff, and work matters. For instance, if there are any issues with the worker or any queries.

18-Point Checklist to keep in mind

Given the complexities associated with acquiring a commercial real estate property, due diligence is of great importance as it helps identify the possible red flags and make a final decision. This is why a 17-point checklist will help you get the essential documents, financial information, and records required for complete due diligence.

Whether you are growing your business or looking for an independent location conducting, due diligence for acquisitions will significantly help you.

This Checklist will guide you about the details you need to consider and make informed decisions about your subsequent real estate acquisition.

1. Recent title policy or commitment on the property in the control or possession of seller along with the related documentation.
2. A recent ALTA survey and property’s topographic study along with the copy of construction blueprints, as-built drawings, and engineering plans in possession of the seller.
3. A legal description of the property.
4. The property zoning compliance certificate along with the other zoning approvals, including any pending applications.
5. A declaration of conditions, convents, easements, reservations, and restrictions for the property.
6. An environmental report of the seller’s third-party engineering (including storage tank testing and closure reports, NFR letters,
7. and mold abatement reports) appraisal, soil tests, foundation reports, boring reports, termite or radon studies.
8. Accurate and complete copy of guarantee and the written agreement along with the certification of an oral lease.
9. An accounting statement of all the collected rent and other incomes, security deposit, standard area maintenance, and real estate tax contributions paid by the tenants residing at the property. It will also include proof of certified rent roll, previous rent if applicable, current rent security deposit, delinquencies, lease commencement date, year of occupancy, and lease termination date.
10. A detailed information of any security deposit or amounts of the vendor, tenants, and or other party entitled to receive.
11. A copy of the vital legal documents. The required documentation includes the real estate tax bill details like copies of all tax protests, incentives, protest results, and copies of utility bills of prior two years of the property.
12. A correct and complete written service contract copy. Also, a good and full written summary of all the oral service contracts along with copies of any other contracts or agreements related to the operations, repair, or maintenance of the property.
13. An accounting statement of all the expenses and incomes of the property, including tax statements, collection reports for the last three years.
14. A list of the seller’s personal property is used for the maintenance and operations of the property. Or any part of the property that the seller resides in must be informed.
15. A detailed list of all the partial certificates of occupancy formats, government notice, certificate of occupancy, warranty, special assessment, unexpired guarantees, code violation, and copies of all these documents in possession of the seller.
16. An exact copy of the current insurance policy and certificate or any other pending claims made against the property.
17. A schedule of pending litigation can hurt the ability of the seller to transfer the property.
18. Any other matters or documentation of purchase that might be reasonable or necessary to satisfy the buyer’s requirements. The documentation must be concerned with the property and the status of the property’s title.

 

What Is Due Diligence and How Long Does CRE Due Diligence Process Last.

The purchase and sale agreement (PSA) is approved by both the buyer and the seller. Then, the due diligence phase begins. The buyer’s procedures and speed, the deal’s complexity, and other factors can all affect how long the real estate due diligence takes.

The PSA will frequently outline when the buyer has to inspect the asset in question. Due diligence, however, usually takes 30 to 90 days. Buyers often get a “free look.” It gives them the only right to buy the asset until the time limit ends. Experts in deal management, such as Private commercial Iender, improve process efficiency. They do this by providing real-time visibility. They are transparent in managing due diligence.

 

Initial Checklist

Deal teams work hard to ensure that nothing is overlooked during CRE due diligence. First, they thoroughly check laws, taxes, and other barriers to profit. They also gather all due diligence records for commercial real estate. By identifying problems early on, investors can avoid wasting time on unworthy projects.

As part of your initial due diligence procedure, make sure to check or take care of the following:

1. Current title policy and other relevant due diligence documentation for commercial real estate
2. Design and building blueprints, including as-built, architectural, engineering, and any further pertinent plans
3. Report on property condition
4. The government issued the building’s paperwork, which included permits, occupancy certificates, warranties, government notifications, special assessments, code infractions, and unexpired guarantees.
5. The invoices show property taxes for the last three years. They also show any special assessments or rebates.
6. Utility and energy expenses over the last two years
7. All pertinent energy and environmental reports, which can include site consultants
8. Expenses for capital
9. A record of any personal belongings that are currently on the premises
10. To get the overall charges, add the costs for the issues found.

 

Conclusion

The process of due diligence associated with the acquisition of commercial real estate property is extended. Thus, it beneficial to have professional support. Private Capital Investors is a reputable company who can help you throughout the process.

They will ensure to undertake all the necessary measures, which will help make the acquisition process easy for you. With their professional assistance, you need not go through the long and lengthy process of due diligence on your own. The professional will be by your side to help you thoroughly to make a quick and easy purchase.