re: What to do w/ $500,000

Commercial vacancies have been trending up. I have always preferred residential real estate because you make smaller short term bets. I can invest a smaller amount of money for less time to build and sell a house than most commercial opportunities. Most residential house projects are a year or less. I have had success, but consider myself small-time. The commercial guys normally have a lot more money than I.

Also, commercial properties are often leased instead of being sold. And they can sit empty for long periods of time, although once leased, they are often occupied with long term leases. It can be boom or bust. The residential home model suits me better with each project being short term. The success/profit of each house is realised shortly after the house is sold. Smaller term, smaller amount of money invested, smaller amount of profit expected per project. I can dial up or down the number of houses to start with residential market outlook. That is my primary thought process related to risk as compared to commercial.

As far as work from home, the larger companies in my area have settled in to a mix. One to three days in the office per week. Small companies are all over the place. Some are 100% in office, and some are mixed. The nature of their business is so varied and so are their office needs.