As reported in Investing Answers, McDonald’s, one of the most popular fast food chains, actually derives most of its profits not from the sale of food but its property assets, since McDonald’s premier locations have one of the highest resale values in the world.

Engaging in a real estate commercial transaction requires a knowledge of the country and its people and the specific culture of a place where the property is located.

If you are doing real estate business in the United States, the existing laws may vary, for instance in California compared to New York, but in general, all the documentation and paperwork can be quickly taken cared of by specialists in the commercial real estate business.

In other countries like Mexico, one has to connect very well with influential people before one can do good business in real estate. In southeast Asian countries like the Philippines, foreigners may buy and own real estate property, like a condominium unit, but may not purchase and possess the land itself. The same principle could apply in other countries outside the United States.

If you intend to engage in real estate commercial business in a specific country, it is a must for you to know more about the laws about land and real estate ownership. The changing global business environment could also change the requirements of a country. Keeping track of the changes in any state where you intend to do business could keep you ahead and alert to these changes.

You have to decide whether you want to engage in the commercial real estate as a broker or an investor (or both). Whatever your decision is, you need to have investment money on hand at all times.