conversation: User (datsuaG): "By commercial property I mean store locales etc. I live in Norway, and I've thought about this stuff for a while, but it's always been pretty much a day dream because I know so little and I don't know where to find good info. What I do know about this market is that the profits are potentially insane. \n\nRates for these kinds of buildings are often very high. From what I've gathered, a pretty normal price is 1000NKR per square meter, meaning a 100m2 building has a base rent of 100k NKR and on top of that there's extra charges if the store does really well. \n\nNow I'm thinking that if I take out a loan for a building that costs 5 million NKR and I can charge 100k per month for it, I can have that building paid in full in 5 years. Or more realistically I could have it paid off in 10 years and have a backup fund for repairs etc and some personal income as well. Maybe save up to get another similar property. I'm a pretty handy person and my father is a carpenter so most of the physical labour involved could be done by me/us.\n\nIt can't be this easy though. What do I need to know about this market? If anyone has info that's specifically about the Norwegian situation that's even better but I'm sure it's pretty similar anywhere so all info is good. Any links to useful resources are also appreciated."
  Self: "I can share our experience in the US- we bought a commercial building 2 years ago, 5000sqft near Seattle.  \n\nThe interest rates are lower, and the paperwork is much easier if the building is "owner occupied", meaning that you are planning on using more than 50% of the floor space for your business.  There isn't rigid inspection on this but you have to share a plan with the bank initially.\n\nWe ended up with 3 spare office suites that we rent out, it was easy enough to make them "gross" leases-  including power/internet/ giant printer etc since we were already paying for those things for our business and the incremental cost to us is small.\n\nThere is a strong market for shorter term gross leases in our area, there is some very ugly spaces converted to offices in the 500sqft range, if you have something professional and nice looking you will fill it quickly.  We look for smaller contractors and accountants that need mail and a desk.\n\nTenants are paying for 3/4 of the total bank note in our case."
  