Commercial Real Estate in CT - Business is Good

For people considering investment in commercial real estate, Connecticut has options to offer. The economic constitution of the state of Connecticut means that business activity is predominantly built on the service industry (around 40%) with trade taking second place. Heavy industry or manufacturing is relatively small as a percentage of total professional activity. Taking the definition of commercial real estate, Connecticut-style at least, to mean any real estate that is not single family, the opportunities are in office space, retail space, income property, commercial property, investment property and multi-family property, with possibilities in industrial space in line with the information above.

The motivation for investing in commercial real estate can vary from one person to another. It has a certain stability that many find attractive. With the possible exception of retail space that needs to be in well-populated areas, commercial real estate corresponds to much more functional criteria. If the property in question allows a business to function correctly, then in these days of Internet and virtual reality, location per se may be less of an issue. For this reason, fashion and fads have less impact as well.

Connecticut's commercial real estate derives a double benefit. Firstly from the nature of commercial real estate in general, and secondly from the relatively high-income population which has a knock-on effect on the standard of businesses and multi-family properties. Relatively sheltered from the speculation and fraud which has plagued the residential housing market over recent years, commercial real estate has been relatively profitable and safe, if not to say somewhat unexciting. But as values are consistent and return on investment is good, it remains a firm favorite with investors.

The new checks and balances that are being introduced in the residential real estate market will also bring positive benefits to commercial real estate, Connecticut itself not being immune to potential problems in this area. With this tightening of regulations, commercial real estate in Connecticut, although showing more modest returns than stocks and bonds, should remain an investment instrument of choice, because of its stable nature and the multiple possibilities for diversification.

In particular, with the trend of increasing investment value in the office sector of the commercial real estate market, Connecticut as a state will continue to be well-positioned with its strong emphasis on the services sector and in particular for towns such as Greenwich on the financial services sector. Smarter investors may well look for larger properties to rent out to several individual entities to maximize the profit potential for a given investment. While location will still play a part in the investment decision, a full analysis of commercial real estate opportunities in Connecticut must also include an investigation of the zoning laws that are more and more a part of towns such as Greenwich and Wilton, both keen to preserve and safeguard historic architectural heritage.

There are many commercial real estate properties available now at very low prices. And most experts are saying that now's a good time to buy, that the residential market seems to be picking up towards the end of 2009. Usually Commercial Real Estate follows the residential trends.

Scott is an editor for CT Homes Sale, CT Jobs Site, and CT Homes Search.