Investing

SBA Loans for Commercial Real Estate: SBA 504 vs SBA 7(a) Explained For many business owners, SBA loans are the most accessible path to owning commercial real estate. Yet they’re often overlooked or misunderstood—especially by first-time owner-users. At YCG – Ybarra Commercial Group, we regularly help business owners evaluate whether an SBA 504 or SBA 7(a) loan is the right fit when purchasing...

Are NNN Properties Right for Me? Advantages and Disadvantages Explained If you’re exploring commercial real estate investing, you’ll quickly hear the term NNN property—often described as “mailbox money” or “passive income.” But while NNN (triple net) properties can be powerful investment vehicles, they are not risk-free, and they are not right for every investor. At YCG – Ybarra...

If you spend more than five minutes looking at commercial real estate listings, you’ll see one metric everywhere: cap rate. But despite how often it’s referenced, many investors—especially those early in their investing career—don’t fully understand what a cap rate actually tells you, what it doesn’t, and how to use it correctly. At YCG – Ybarra Commercial Group, cap rates are one of...

What is the best type of real estate investment for beginners? There is no single “best” investment for beginners—it depends on capital, risk tolerance, and goals. Some investors start with residential or small multifamily for familiarity, while others move directly into commercial properties for scalability and stronger income fundamentals. The best starting point is the asset class that...

What Is a 1031 Exchange? A Commercial Real Estate Investor’s Guide If you’re selling a commercial property and don’t want Uncle Sam taking a massive bite out of your gains, a 1031 exchange may be the most powerful tool in your investment arsenal. Used correctly, it allows commercial real estate investors to defer capital gains taxes, preserve equity, and scale portfolios faster. At YCG –...