Would I buy a vacant commercial property in today's market?

Absolutely! But only if it's the right property, in the right location, at the right price.

Some of the best commercial property opportunities come from buildings that other investors overlook. But there's a big difference between buying a property with a problem you can solve and buying one with a problem that could cost you a fortune!

Just because a property is vacant doesn't mean it's an opportunity. And just because it's cheap doesn't mean it's good value.

In this week's episode of The Commercial Property Podcast, I share how I assess vacant commercial properties, what gets me interested, what makes me walk away and how I work out what I'd actually pay.

I also take you through practical worked examples to show how the numbers can change dramatically once you account for the costs and risks of buying a vacant property.

• Why vacant properties can offer fantastic opportunities — and why many investors avoid them.

• The first question I ask when looking at a vacant building — and why the answer can tell you so much.

• How to establish whether there's genuine tenant demand — rather than relying on an agent's suggested rental figure.

• How I work out what I'd actually pay — including practical worked examples and the costs investors often overlook.

• The difference between problems you can solve and structural problems you should avoid.

• Why I always think about the exit before buying — even when a property looks like a bargain.

I don't buy vacant commercial property simply because it's cheap. I buy when I can see a clear route to creating value, understand the risks and can buy at a price that makes sense.

And there's one final question I always ask: Does this investment actually fit my strategy and what I'm trying to achieve?

Finding commercial properties isn't usually the hardest part. It's knowing which ones are worth pursuing!

That's why I created The Commercial Property Academy — to help investors build the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to recognise opportunities, assess deals and avoid expensive mistakes.

Whether you're moving from residential into commercial, investing for the first time or looking to improve an existing portfolio, you can explore the different ways I can help at:

www.suzicarter.com

If you've found it useful, please follow or subscribe to The Commercial Property Podcast so you don't miss future episodes.

And if you know someone considering buying a vacant commercial property, please share this episode with them. It might save them from an expensive mistake!

I'd also really appreciate a rating or review — it helps more investors discover the podcast.

Thanks for listening!

Suzi Carter
Founder, The Commercial Property Academy
Host, The Commercial Property Podcast