Charlestown Gas Stations

Charlestown is the oldest neighborhood in the entire city of Boston, and despite its age, this neighborhood is thriving. This part of Boston is home to both owners and renters and the incomes of the 16,000-plus residents can vary greatly. This being said, of the residents, an overwhelming majority own a car and drive to work on a daily basis, which is why an investment in a gas station in this area can be very lucrative. Service stations serve as a vital tool for commuters, and if you're savvy and do your research, you can end up making a fairly quick return.

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Purchasing and Leasing Gas Stations

If you're thinking about buying a gas station outright, you'll be privy to a sense of freedom that you can only experience by owning a commercial business. You'll have final say in a wide variety of decisions like which supplier you work with, the weekly promotions, and you'll even be able to decide which add-on businesses compliment your service station.

When you opt for owning the station, it's important to understand that getting financing isn't going to be easy; not only will you need optimal credit, but the down payment on an investment property like this is going to be fairly huge. That being said, after you've capitalized on the property and have paid off your loans, your income will be amazing.

On the other hand, rather than purchase, you can choose to lease a property. This allows you to forgo the stress and strain of a mortgage payment and you also won't need such stellar credit. Additionally, any maintenance and repair that the station will need can be covered by the owner, which takes a lot of weight off of your shoulders.

In any situation, before you opt to invest in one of these properties, here are a few things that you should take into consideration:

• What's the condition of the tanks? Spillage from ruptured tanks is a major environmental concern that can cause you more than a few issues if you are purchasing the station.
• What's the condition of the canopy? The canopy protects your pumps from the elements, so if you are purchasing or leasing, ensure that it's in good shape.
• Is the location optimal? When you're purchasing a station in Charlestown, ensure that it takes advantage of traffic and is easy to reach by your commuter customers.
• What comes with the sale? Are you purchasing just the station or the station and the land that it rests on? It's a good idea to purchase both because just owning the station can lead to financial burdens down the line.

Buying a Service Station with a Convenience Store

Believe it or not, you're not going to make much of a profit off of gas sales. Gas sales have a tendency to be split up amongst more than a few different sources, and at the end of the day, you can really expect about one percent of these sales. For this reason, an add-on business like a convenience store can really help you recoup your investment.

Not only are these stores excellent for providing your commuting customers with food, coffee, and other items, but in many cases, these motorists will come into the store to use the bathroom or pay for their gas, and when they enter, there's a higher chance that they will buy something in addition to the gas, which increases your profits.

Reasons to Consider this area for Your Investment

This neighborhood is a very popular area of Boston, and for this reason, a service station can provide an excellent return on investment, especially considering the number of motorists in the area. That being said, it's a good idea to have a good brokerage in your corner that can help you find ideal properties, which is where Boston City Properties comes in. We have had years of experience and have helped thousands of clients, so give us a call at 617-247-1933 today.

Charlestown Gas Stations For Sale or Lease

The city of Boston abounds with exciting opportunities for property investors. If you’re looking for profitable commercial real estate, purchasing or leasing a gas station in Charlestown, Boston’s oldest neighborhood, may be the answer. Given the popularity of fuel stations among investors, acquiring one here is often easier said than done. You are more likely to succeed by arming yourself with as many resources as possible, and Boston City Properties is here to help. We’ll give you access to our searchable commercial real estate listings, and we can refer you to a local commercial real estate agent whenever you are ready.

About the Neighborhood

Covered by the 02129 zip code, this neighborhood was the first one to be permanently settled in the city. It boasts a population of around 17,000 people, and it is made up of a mix of residential and commercial areas. Fuel stations here do brisk business; many can be found in commercial districts like Sullivan Square and City Square, but they are scattered throughout the neighborhood.

What to Look For

Our searchable database of commercial Boston real estate listings makes it easy to check current availability for fuel stations for sale or lease in this neighborhood. While browsing the listings, be on the lookout for properties that exhibit the following features:

• Location – People don’t just stop at fuel stations for gas. They often stop for drinks, snacks and other basic items too. The more heavily trafficked the area is, the better your profits will be. In addition to selecting a station on a busy street or intersection, try to choose one that doesn’t face too much nearby competition.
• Size – Aim to buy or lease the largest fuel station that you can with the budget that you’re working with. In addition to having a large convenience store area where you can peddle lots of different items, it should include plenty of gas pumps to minimize the risk of long lines.
• Appearance – Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that since gas is something people have to buy, it doesn’t matter how nice the station itself is. Again, people stop there for more than fuel, so it pays to make the entire property as visually appealing as possible. The ideal station will already be in good shape, and it should include large canopies over the pumps, prominent signage and a clean, brightly lit market area.

Considerations to Make

Boston City Properties can connect you with a commercial real estate expert in this neighborhood who specializes in working with property investors. In the meantime, here are a few of the things that you should keep in mind when seeking to buy or lease fuel stations in this charming Boston neighborhood:

• What’s included? – Aim to buy or lease a station that is as close to being “turnkey” as possible. This means that it should essentially be ready to open for business when it switches over to you. Watch out for situations where the existing pumps are inoperable or other issues. They can be quite costly and can impact the overall profitability of the deal.
• Lease and financing options – Commercial properties like these sometimes come with legacy leases that can’t be renegotiated, so be on the lookout for that. Note that sometimes the property and the building are owned by separate entities, which can be complicated. If you are going to buy, look into loans that are backed by the Small Business Administration.
• Financial records – A huge part of the value of any fuel station is how profitable it has been historically. You can be sure that any seller will insist that their station generates high sales, but you should never take their word for it. Get copies of at least the last two years’ worth of financial records, and hire an experienced accountant to analyze them for you. This small investment now can save you big-time later.
• Environmental issues – Fuel stations are generally simple to operate from a business standpoint, but there is one major stumbling block: strict local, state and federal environmental regulations. They are easy to run afoul of, and you could even inadvertently buy a station with existing problems. Avoid this by having an environmental survey performed prior to closing or signing a lease.

How Boston City Properties Can Help

Buying or leasing a gas station in Charlestown, Boston, is a great way to generate considerable income. Competition for the best fuel stations here and in neighborhoods across the city is fierce, however, so it is crucial to have access to timely and accurate information. Sign up now for free, instant access to our constantly updated MA commercial property listings to check current availability, and contact us for a referral to a local commercial real estate agent when you’re ready. For more info, call Boston City Properties today.

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