Why Is Cash King in Real Estate​

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July 8, 2024
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Everybody knows that real estate gets financed with debt, right? Not so fast.

Recently, Alliance has started using cash purchases to close better deals, faster. This creative use of capital helps us in several ways.

Before closing a real estate deal, due diligence is essential. Our team at Alliance takes a deep dive into everything, from the history and condition of the building to the financials of tenants and more. The diligence phase can be tedious and time consuming, but it’s absolutely vital.

If we’re offering a cash purchase, that means the seller doesn’t need to wait for us to close our loan, or wonder if it’ll happen. When we’re happy, the deal gets done. This encourages sellers to give us more of their time and attention. When they’re eager to answer our questions, our due diligence is faster and easier.

In the case of a really desirable property, a cash purchase can also help our offers pass the “sniff test.” Sellers are often real estate professionals too, and if the cap rate on a property seems a little too good, the seller might doubt our seriousness.

But if we don’t have to pay interest on a loan, then that extra monthly cash goes straight to our bottom line. It makes our cap rates better and that makes our offer more plausible to sellers. This takes us back to the first point, where our cash offer encourages sellers to invest their time and effort in making us happy, so we’ll close the deal.

Why doesn’t everybody just buy real estate for cash? There are very good reasons why debt financing is well suited to commercial real estate investments. Even when we buy for cash, we plan to add debt to the capital structure of an investment later, when it’s strategically advantageous for us.

Right now, interest rates are up, and that is holding asset prices down. We can buy great properties for cash now, then finance them at better interest rates, later. When the moment is right, we’ll bring our strong banking relationships to the table, add some debt, and free up capital for our next purchase, or to return to our investors.

On the surface, this strategy seems to encourage speed. Without taking out loans, we can close a deal faster. But the real value here doesn’t come from speed, but from patience. By cutting the financing stage out of a deal, we actually shift time spent into more due diligence. We might be going faster, but we’re also going slower.

In business, slow can be good too, because it means no mistakes. We don’t rush or catch deal fever. Instead, we methodically vet deals to make sure they’re the right use of capital to deliver stellar returns to our investors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to close a cash real estate transaction?

To close a cash real estate transaction, investors must complete a detailed commercial property analysis, conduct due diligence, and transfer good funds directly to the seller without financing delays. This approach eliminates commercial real estate risks and accelerates deal execution, particularly in multifamily and industrial real estate investments. A strong commercial real estate investment strategy involves understanding key definitions, valuation methods, and site selection criteria to secure the best assets. When structured properly, a cash purchase can enhance credibility and deliver better ROI on commercial real estate.

Is cash considered good funds in real estate transactions?

Yes, cash is considered good funds in real estate transactions because it represents verified and immediately available capital. In commercial real estate investments, cash or certified wired funds streamline closings, helping buyers secure properties without delays tied to debt financing. This practice is especially valuable when acquiring medical office buildings, multifamily properties, or industrial investments, where sellers favor reliable, quick transactions. By avoiding lending contingencies, investors reduce commercial real estate risk while improving negotiation leverage and wealth creation through property investment.

How to hedge against commercial real estate risk?

Investors hedge against commercial real estate risk by diversifying across different types of commercial real estat  including industrial properties, medical real estate investments, and multifamily assets. Applying sound commercial real estate investment strategies such as strong market analysis, risk management, and property depreciation planning provides stability during market shifts. Many experienced investors analyze commercial property depreciation life and use accelerated depreciation to optimize returns. Strategic portfolio balance and disciplined due diligence help sustain wealth building through real estate even in volatile conditions.

 How to invest in medical office buildings?

To invest in medical office buildings, focus on tenant stability, lease duration, and proximity to hospitals or healthcare hubs. These commercial real estate investment opportunities deliver consistent returns and are considered resilient assets within the healthcare real estate investment sector. Investors often perform detailed commercial real estate investment analysis, evaluate depreciation schedules, and apply proven commercial property investment strategies. A well-structured medical real estate investment can generate reliable cash flow and strengthen long-term property wealth creation within a diversified portfolio.

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Build Your Wealth With A Trusted and Experienced Partner

$500M

Real Estate Portfolio

28%

Historical IRR on All Asset Classes

30+

Years of experience

2.5x

Average Equity Multiple Paid to Investors

$500M

Real Estate Portfolio

28%

Historical IRR on All Asset Classes

30+

Years of experience

2.5x

Average Equity Multiple Paid to Investors

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