West Roxbury Gas Stations
West Roxbury is an area of Boston that has a population of approximately 30,000, which makes it a largely residential area. It is located on the southwest side of the city, and there are quite a few highways and routes from this area that connects to downtown Boston as well as other parts of the state. With so much traffic potential in the area, this is a great neighborhood to consider investing in a service station.
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Purchasing and Leasing Gas Stations
Investing in a gas station can require a lot of work on your end, so you are going to want to make sure that your time and effort bring you a profit. You can either lease the station that you are interested in or purchase it. Both options are good, but different investors tend to look for different things in an investment, so the option that is best for one investor may not be the best option for you. Let's take a look at the advantages for each option.
- Purchasing – When you decide to purchase the property, you are going to be in charge of the daily operations of the station as well as any big decisions that need to be made. You will choose the supplier that you use for gas, the promotions that you run at your location, and the snacks that will be available in your store. You will be able to upgrade your property whenever you see fit, and you will even be able to decide whether you prefer to rent out the expansion to an interested business owner or manage it yourself. Once you retire, you will also be able to decide what to do with the property.
- Leasing – Leasing is an option that you can use to invest when you are not sure how well the property will perform. You will have less invested in a service station that you lease because the down payment is much smaller, you will not be responsible for repairs, and taxes on the property will not be your responsibility. This means that if the station does not perform as well as you'd like, you can get out and change locations without much of a loss.
Buying a Service Station with a Convenience Store
Investing in a service station can be quite profitable, but if you are only selling gas at your location, you can greatly increase the potential of the property by adding a convenience store to the property. This can be a small store that offers snacks and cold drinks to customers who stop to fill up their tanks with gas, or it can be a larger store that has things like lottery options, a grill to prepare warm food, and even a coffee center where customers can get some caffeine in the morning on their way to work. If you have space in the store, an indoor restroom will also help draw in customers.
When customers stop for gas, you will want to get them inside the store. One way to do this is to post the promotions that you are running at the gas pump. This way, customers who may be a bit thirsty or hungry will see the promotion and head inside without hesitation.
Reasons to Consider this Area for Your Investment
Boston is a city that is experiencing a lot of growth, and even though West Roxbury is located on the outskirts of the area, it is growing as well, which means that investment properties such as service stations are going to be great opportunities. However, finding a property that is going to be profitable can be difficult, so if you need a gentle hand to guide you during the process, you can contact Boston City Properties at 617-247-1933.
Owning a gas station in Boston’s West Roxbury neighborhood is a good way to enjoy steady, long-term profits. Since these businesses do so well, however, listings tend to fly off the market almost as soon as they hit it. Therefore, it is essential to have access to accurate and timely information while seeking fuel stations for sale or lease in this neighborhood. Get that and more by signing up with Boston City Properties. We’ll give you immediate, free access to our searchable MA commercial property listings, so you will have a major leg up on the competition. We can also refer you to a talented commercial real estate agent in this neighborhood when the time is right.
About the Neighborhood
Located in the southwest corner of Boston, this neighborhood is bordered by Roslindale and Hyde Park. Covered by the 02132 zip code, it had a population of around 30,500 at the time of the 2010 U.S. Census. The neighborhood is very suburban in nature and dominated by single-family homes, so many commuters live here. As a result, fuel stations in the area do very well, and it is easy to see why they are so highly sought after.
What to Look For
If you think simply owning any fuel station in this neighborhood will put you on easy street, think again. A lot of work is required to identify fuel stations that will generate consistent sales and profits. A few of the things to look for include:
- Size – Gas may be what attracts people to these properties, but the attached convenience stores are where much of the profits lie. With that in mind, buy or lease a station that has as much retail square footage as possible. This will give you a lot more flexibility in terms of what you offer, and you will have more opportunities for expansion in the future.
- Location – Zero in on busy commuter roads during your search for fuel stations for sale or lease in this neighborhood. Areas like Centre Street are where you’re likely to find promising options. Watch out for stations that face too much immediate competition.
- Appearance – You may save money by buying a fixer-upper, but you really will need to fix it up right away if you want to attract steady business. It’s generally better to instead stick with properties that are already in solid aesthetic shape. The market should be clean and nicely designed, and the outdoor area should have clear signage and bright lighting.
Considerations to Make
Finding a fuel station that meets the above requirements is just the first step. You must then contend with various obstacles along the way. Your agent can help, but here are some examples of what to expect:
- Financing and lease options – Know exactly how you will pay for the fuel station before looking for one with any degree of seriousness. If you will operate the business as well, look into loans from the Small Business Administration. Some landlords are willing to negotiate new lease terms, so seek out opportunities like those for more flexibility.
- What’s included? – The first thing you should ask when looking at a property like this is what is included. For example, if you’re buying, will you own the land and the building, or just the land? Does the property include extras like a car wash? Confirm that the premises and all equipment are in good working order by having inspections performed.
- Environmental issues – Should you buy a property that includes the land too, have an environmental survey performed before closing. If any underlying environmental problems are discovered, you can back out of the deal without losing anything. If you assume ownership and issues are found, you could be responsible for massive penalties and fines.
- Financial records – Even if a particular fuel station always seems to be packed with customers, don’t assume that it will generate good profits. Always insist on at least two years’ worth of financial documents from the seller. Hire an accountant or CPA to analyze them thoroughly. They can then give you a clearer idea about whether the property will produce the kinds of returns that you need.
How Boston City Properties Can Help
Don’t let the perfect West Roxbury gas station slip between your fingers. At this very moment, the perfect one could be for sale or lease, and the best way to find it is by signing up with Boston City Properties. With access to our constantly updated commercial Massachusetts real estate listings, you’ll be able to see what’s available in no time. Later, get in touch with us for a referral to a commercial property agent in this neighborhood who can assist you further. For more info, call Boston City Properties today.
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