More than one-third of households in the USA have reported working from home more frequently than before the pandemic. Years later, remote work and hybrid models are the new norm, reducing office attendance by almost 30%.
The real estate market has been affected heavily by these factors. Owners and investors have started asking if owning commercial properties is a good option at all.
Many of them are trying to understand if WFH is here to stay so that profitable investments can be made. Well, only time can tell if remote work is a temporary phase or something that generations will live with.
We can, however, talk about the present state of the commercial property market. Due to the prevalence of empty offices(thanks to WFH), we see many investors considering transforming commercial estate to residential.
In this article, let’s talk about the basics of commercial property transformation, the benefits and challenges, and things to consider.
Benefits of Converting Commercial Properties into Residential Units
Estate Availability
Statistics say that the vacancy rate of commercial property will peak in 2026 due to the rise in the popularity of remote work. Not only that, but it will also erode the value of commercial estates by almost $250 billion.
Since the demand for commercial spaces is decreasing, a surge in vacant spaces waiting to be occupied can be seen. This availability is surely of benefit to anyone looking to build a home out of a commercial property.
Timeline and Cost
Converting office spaces into residential units can often be quicker and more cost-effective than demolishing and building a new property. Since the structure is ready to go, you may have to only give the finishing touches.
In some cases, more remodeling and repair work may be necessary. Commercial roof repair, new wiring and plumbing, and seepage work are some examples of rework required in such projects.
Environmental Impact
The real estate market is one of the key drivers of carbon emissions. Almost 29% of U.S. greenhouse emissions come from buildings, and more than half of it is from commercial estates.
Since transformations mostly use fewer materials than constructing new buildings, this helps with reduced carbon emissions. This is an extremely important benefit of converting commercial properties.
You can go further and integrate sustainable features into your project, making it even more impactful. Energy-efficient windows, green roofs, and rainwater harvesting are some such examples.
The Challenges of Commercial-to-Residential Conversions
Convenience and Amenities
One of the biggest hurdles in transforming commercial buildings is that they lack amenities important to residential living. As a resident, you may prefer to live in established residential neighborhoods rather than amongst office spaces.
Potential residents naturally look for grocery stores, schools, and healthcare services that are close to home. And commercial properties just don’t offer that.
Structural and Design Limitations
The most challenging part of all is probably this. Even though there are many vacant commercial spaces available, the question is, how many of them are eligible for conversion?
Let’s take the City of New York, for instance. While over 15% of office spaces are vacant, only 3% of them meet the criteria to be transformed.
Factors like roof maintenance, window placement, and floor plate size often require extensive modifications to meet residential standards. Not to mention, all of these need to be taken care of on time to prevent long-term damage.
For example, Peak Builders and Roofers of Denver mention that roof maintenance is important to minimize future repairs and expenses. It helps detect potential issues early on and prevents escalation of significant problems.
Another thing to consider is the cost. The costs for such repairs and maintenance can vary widely, from $100 to over $500 per square foot, depending on the existing structure.
Key Factors to Consider Before Making a Decision
Future of Telework
How long the remote work trend will last is uncertain and unpredictable. Although offices have started demanding attendance slightly more than immediately post-pandemic, studies show that hybrid work is now the norm.
Evidently, workers are attending the office an average of 3.5 days a week. How this will impact the demand for commercial spaces is still unclear but surely demands your consideration.
Federal Government Initiatives
The federal government has been incentivizing office-to-residential transformations for a couple of years now.
Bills like the Revitalizing Downtowns Act offer tax incentives and funding for projects like these. You may want to research and understand these policies better to know your eligibility and make a decision accordingly.
Financing Projects
Securing a loan for commercial-to-residential projects can be tricky. This is mainly because lenders tend to view these conversions as high-risk and prone to incompletion.
This can make financing very difficult to obtain compared to your traditional residential mortgage loans. Keep your options open and create a contingency plan, in case this becomes a problem for you.
Quick Checklist for Commercial-to-Residential Transformations
Before you decide to take on a commercial-to-residential project, perform due diligence on these factors.
- Zoning and Legal Compliance: Make sure you check the local zoning laws to convert the property legally.
- Structural Integrity: Bring professionals to assess the building’s structure, strength, and suitability for conversion.
- Cost Analysis: Do not leave the numbers in the air. Make a detailed list of all the costs involved, and don’t forget to add miscellaneous expenses.
- Permitting and Approvals: Be informed and research required permits, and what the timeline is expected to be for approvals.
- Neighborhood and Amenities: This is a big decision. Take your time to consider whether the area has the amenities and features you want for residential living.
Research suggests that almost 90% of investors are considering taking over the conversion of offices into residential properties. And we are talking about only the next five years.
These transformations aren’t just about the evolving work environment but also the need to upgrade aging buildings. With the right approach, they can not only be practical solutions but also affordable and environmentally friendly.
