In commercial real estate, go ahead and go big. If you are already going to have to go through commercial financing to work a deal, then why not look at bigger properties? The cost per unit decreases the larger the property and management of a bigger property does not require an exponential effort to the number of units. The management of a a few units is virtually the same as managing a complex.

Knowing the cost of taxes in your area is an integral part of investing in real estate. The amount you will pay in taxes can make the difference between a positive and negative cash flow. Consult with your Realtor, the local municipalities, and a tax professional to get a good handle on your tax situation.

If one likes skiing or wants to own some real estate that will have an attractive feature for renters they should consider buying a property that is close to popular skiing areas. By buying real estate close to these areas one can attract renters and have a place for themselves to use.

Even if you are a licensed real estate agent, there is a good chance you could benefit from the in-depth instruction of a board-sponsored commercial real estate class or workshop. This is especially true if you are just getting started in commercial real estate after establishing yourself in the residential market.

You should thoroughly look into the brokers that you are considering, and determine their level of expertise and experience when dealing with commercial real estate. Look for brokers who specialize in commercial real estate. Sign an exclusive agreement once you've found a broker you want to work with.

When you are trying to consider which property to buy and you are having a hard time narrowing things down the best thing you can do is make a checklist. Review each property and the one that has the most check marks should be the one that you buy.

A few minutes may be all it takes to learn the tips from the above text, but it's going to take a lot longer to actually put them to good use in your commercial real estate dealings. Remember, take your time and approach every deal with as much caution as possible, and never stop learning about the real estate market.

Gene Phillips has served as the Oklahoma State president for the American Society of Civil Engineers, co-chairs the School of Civil Engineering & Environmental Science Visiting Council at the University of Oklahoma and serves on the Executive Committee for the OU College of Engineering Board of Visitors. He also serves on the NAIOP board and the board for the University of Oklahoma K20 Research Foundation.