If you’re looking to add to your home or extend your property in any major way, it is likely you will need to get planning permission for the privilege. While planning permission is not required for every type of property development, it is a complicated and in-depth process, so checking out your rights is important before you begin. There are many important factors that are worth remembering before you do so, though. Here are a few things to consider.

Before you set out to extend or alter your property, it may be useful to check out the details of the building so that you know what your options are. A structural survey may be useful to check the foundations of your property are in good condition, and speaking to architectural services may be of use if you would like further information about the processes involved in gaining permission.

One of the main issues around residential or commercial property planning is that it pays to keep to the style of your surroundings. If the renovations you want to make are drastically different to the houses or buildings around you, it’s likely that your request will be denied. Older properties or buildings in more traditional areas are particularly susceptible to difficulty in gaining permission, as the majority of properties will be in keeping with a particular style.

Likewise, you need to bear in mind the impact your planning will have on your neighbours; if it will cause a lot of noise and disruption, you may find that your local council will deny your request. Of course, it is unlikely that you will be able to avoid such a thing, but it is something to consider in terms of the length of time it will take to carry out your renovation.

Many people avoid extending or making alterations to their homes as it’s believed to be a huge undertaking in gaining permission to do so. But while many alterations don’t require planning permission, those that do are not always as complex as they first appear. Many local authorities and councils are more than willing to offer help and permissions where necessary if you can prove that you have done your research. It pays to provide councils with sufficient research into the area and your property, so as much information as you can offer will help you in the long run. Improvements to a commercial building are similarly complex. Generally requiring permission for changes such as extensions or changes of the use of space over shops or offices,it is likely that commercial property owners will have to deal with acquiring planning permission. As with residential property, conservational areas require more in-depth planning than modern buildings.

The renovation of a property, whether to extend and add value or to simply create a more desirable property for it‘s owners, is often a complex venture but one that, with a little forward planning and research, can be made simpler.

James Stephenson works with planning commissions to ensure properties adhere to rules and regulations put in place by local authority and national government.

After a strong end to 2011 and an even more positive start to this year, it was hoped in many circles that the economy, and in particular real estate markets, was on the right track towards sustained recovery. While property investments remain much stronger in larger cities, New York included, there is cause for concern that the stuttering recovery being experienced by many other towns and cities across the United States could ultimately bring growth in the larger cities to a halt, too.

Gateway Investments

The reasons for these fears are well founded and much could depend on how both the investment community and those looking to buy or rent commercial properties adapt.

While many property investors understandably place their focus on the potentially more lucrative yields to be had in larger cities, having one source of revenue is not enough. For this reason, property investors look to smaller markets for a secondary income or yield in order to supplement their investment in the bigger gateway cities, or to compensate if there is a shortfall at any time from what is still a volatile sector.

Of course, the problem at the moment is that these secondary markets are not delivering in any way, shape, or form. There is probably not even any mileage for investors in taking a speculative punt, given the way many property markets are still reeling from the wreckage of the global financial crisis when it bit worst four years ago. Another issue is that many banks and other lenders are continuing to be strict with regards finances to be invested in lower end properties and markets.

With all of the focus on the bigger cities, what are the likely outcomes for commercial property deals and investments?

The Way Forward

To their credit – no pun intended – many financial institutions are recognising that their approach is creating a barrier of sorts to rejuvenating properties outside of the big cities. With a greater focus and impetus, this could enable the gap to be bridged to the larger markets and see the currently underperforming cities eventually become more attractive opportunities.

Two less likely options are that there will continue to be a strong focus exclusively on the bigger cities, or that property investors will withdraw altogether. These options are so unlikely as they are unsustainable and unrealistic. A focus solely on more lucrative markets would see the eventual collapse, again, of all property investment markets as there would be far too much competition and a saturation of higher end property investments which would be unsustainable and will need to be avoided at all costs.

While the withdrawal of investors to protect funds is more plausible, it remains unrealistic as experienced investors are nothing if they are not patient, and will happily ride out the storm until high yields return, rather than risk missing out altogether when the markets recover.

Harworth Estates are a real estate company with a great portfolio of commercial properties for businesses. If you are looking for a commercial property for sale, HE is a one stop shop where you can choose from many options and also get advice on which ones are best for your business.