How to invest in You can buy commercial property yourself. commercial You can buy shares in companies in the property sector. property You can put your money into a fund that invests in property. Different ways you can invest Property funds: A fund manager invests your money in in commercial property commercial property on your behalf. This gives you the Direct: You can buy and manage commercial benefit of the fund manager’s experience and expertise, properties yourself, though it’s likely you will as well as the resources of the investment company need a significant sum to get started – and you they work for. Some property funds buy buildings and may be relying on the performance of just one or manage them (these are known as ‘bricks and mortar’ two buildings. funds), while others focus on property company shares. Property company shares: You can buy the shares If you are interested in commercial property for its of companies that own, manage or develop property. income potential or lower level of risk, you may need If they do well, their shares should rise in value. The to take care when choosing where to invest. Although companies may also pay a dividend to shareholders, property company shares are in a position to benefit which would provide you with an income. However, over from the income generated by the properties they hold, time, the returns from property company shares tend to in the shorter term, their returns are usually more like be more variable, or volatile, than a direct investment the performance of shares – which means they involve a in property. higher level of risk. If you’re not sure about the suitability of an investment, you should speak to a financial adviser. 7