At a time when cash savings are yielding negligible returns, many people are looking at investment funds as a way of making their money work for them. Commercial property, in particular, is predicted to deliver strong returns in the coming months. Obviously, none but the wealthiest individuals can buy a commercial property straight-out, so the way that most of us get exposure is through a collective investment fund which invests on behalf of its members.
An investment fund may either buy into a portfolio of properties, spreading the risk so that if one building stands empty there's still rental income from the others (direct investment), or buy shares in companies that are property related (indirect investment).
Commercial property, such as shops, offices and industrial buildings, has several advantages over residential. Firstly, the average life of a commercial lease in the UK is eight years, as opposed to six months; secondly, the tenants are less likely to flit; thirdly, the rents themselves are much higher and subject to annual increases.
That's not to say it's without risks. In 2008, commercial property prices fell by 44 per cent as the sub-prime mortgage crisis in the US triggered further crises around the world. In areas outside London, prices remain around 40 per cent lower than at their 2007 peak.
Indirect investment funds are even more vulnerable to the whims of the market as they don't enjoy the same benefits of diversification. Most take the form of unit trusts and open-ended investment companies (OEICs).
Both types of fund are open-ended, in that there's no limit to the amount of capital that may be invested. The fund manager will simply buy and sell property according to demand. Investors don't have to trade shares on the stock exchange, the fund manager sells them their holdings and then buys them back any time they wish to join or leave the fund.
Most open-ended trusts are also registered as real estate investment trusts (REITs). This ensures higher returns to investors, but the tax on dividends will be 20 per cent basic or 40 per cent for higher rate earners.
When an investment fund issues a fixed number of shares it is called a closed-end fund. Unlike open-ended trusts, if a member wants to either buy into or sell out of the fund he must do it through the stock market. The tax on dividends is the same as for most other investments, i.e. 10 or 32.5 per cent.
The current yields on commercial property compare well to those of other asset classes. The recent lack of investment in building projects has resulted in an increasing demand for office and retail space as the economy recovers. Strong interest from overseas investors is also creating movement.
An investment fund may either buy into a portfolio of properties, spreading the risk so that if one building stands empty there's still rental income from the others (direct investment), or buy shares in companies that are property related (indirect investment).
Commercial property, such as shops, offices and industrial buildings, has several advantages over residential. Firstly, the average life of a commercial lease in the UK is eight years, as opposed to six months; secondly, the tenants are less likely to flit; thirdly, the rents themselves are much higher and subject to annual increases.
That's not to say it's without risks. In 2008, commercial property prices fell by 44 per cent as the sub-prime mortgage crisis in the US triggered further crises around the world. In areas outside London, prices remain around 40 per cent lower than at their 2007 peak.
Indirect investment funds are even more vulnerable to the whims of the market as they don't enjoy the same benefits of diversification. Most take the form of unit trusts and open-ended investment companies (OEICs).
Both types of fund are open-ended, in that there's no limit to the amount of capital that may be invested. The fund manager will simply buy and sell property according to demand. Investors don't have to trade shares on the stock exchange, the fund manager sells them their holdings and then buys them back any time they wish to join or leave the fund.
Most open-ended trusts are also registered as real estate investment trusts (REITs). This ensures higher returns to investors, but the tax on dividends will be 20 per cent basic or 40 per cent for higher rate earners.
When an investment fund issues a fixed number of shares it is called a closed-end fund. Unlike open-ended trusts, if a member wants to either buy into or sell out of the fund he must do it through the stock market. The tax on dividends is the same as for most other investments, i.e. 10 or 32.5 per cent.
The current yields on commercial property compare well to those of other asset classes. The recent lack of investment in building projects has resulted in an increasing demand for office and retail space as the economy recovers. Strong interest from overseas investors is also creating movement.
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