So, here’s the thing – business buyers and individual homebuyers might both be in the real estate game, but they’re playing it very differently. It’s maybe like comparing baseball and cricket. Now they both kind of involve a bat and a ball, but the rules and tactics are worlds apart. If you’re trying to sell property in Sri Lanka, you’ll need to know who’s coming to the table – because what wins over a homebuyer won’t necessarily impress a business looking for their next big investment. Here’s a quick breakdown of what both groups are after, with less jargon and maybe more clarity.
1. Location- Different Priorities, Same Obsession
Homebuyers sometimes value/want proximity to supermarkets/grocery outlets, parks, and maybe also that one bakery with the malupan or seenisambol buns they love. They’re after comfort and convenience – a place that makes life easier.
Business buyers? They care about access and visibility. A high-traffic area means more customers, and being near banks or commercial hubs can seal the deal. For them, it’s all about footfall and ROI – if they’re setting up a store, they need to know people will pass by.
Think of it this way: A quiet street could be so ideal for homebuyers and so terrible for businesses.
2. Space and Layout: Cosy vs. Functional
Homebuyers might picture themselves hosting family dinners and figuring out where that beautiful sofa will go. They’re perhaps drawn to cosy living rooms, a decent kitchen, and maybe a backyard for weekend barbecues.
Businesses, on the other hand, might want more flexibility. Open spaces? Great for setting up desks or racks of products. Partition walls? Even better for turning rooms into offices. Basically, they need a place that can adapt to their operations.
A house with quirky alcoves? Perfect for a cabinet of porcelain. For a business? That’s could just be lost space.
3. Amenities
For homeowners, it’s about one’s comforts. A nice bathroom, air conditioning, and a bit of greenery (some people love having a beautiful plant-filled garden) go a long way. Oh, and throw in some solar panels, and suddenly, they’re sold.
For businesses, the only thing that might matter about the bathroom is that it works. What really could excite them (depending on the business of course) are features like high-speed internet, loading docks, parking spaces, and backup power – you know, things that keep the business running smoothly.
Homebuyers want picture-perfect kitchens, businesses want functional WiFi routers. Although if you’re like some homebuyers, you’d opt for functional high-speed WiFi too.
4. Pricing and Negotiation: Emotional vs. Practical
Homebuyers sometimes might let their hearts do the negotiating. If they’ve fallen in love with the place, some will just try to make it work, even if it stretches the budget. They’re imagining celebrations, holidays, and cosy weekend mornings.
For businesses, however, it’s quite a bit about the numbers. It’s less “Does this feel right?” and more “Will this make money?” They’re probably likely to negotiate harder and look at the property as an asset, not a home.
It’s the difference between “I can see us living here” and “What’s the rent per square foot?”
5. Renovations: Move-In Ready vs. Work in Progress
Some homebuyers (not all) want something that’s ready to go. Maybe they’ll repaint a wall or two, but major renovations? No thanks. Although this would depend on the homebuyer, the place, the purchase price, etc…
Some businesses, on the other hand, are prepared to tweak the space to fit their needs as long as there’s an ROI. Knocking down walls? Sure. Installing new lights? No problem. They see renovation as an investment, not a hassle.
Still some businesses will just decide the price is not worth it in ROI for a renovation, and decide to just make do as is. As long as it works.
Basically, homebuyers may dream of perfect gardens; businesses might dream of warehouse shelving.
6. Long-Term Value: Sentiment vs. Strategy
Homebuyers care about resale value, sure – but mostly because they want to know they’re making a good life choice. There’s a bit of emotion wrapped up in that decision, and that’s fine.
Businesses? It’s all strategy. They need to know how this property fits into their 5-year plan and whether it can help them scale up. They’re not here to get emotionally attached – they’re here to make money.
Think of it like this: A family wants a home for the next decade. A business wants a location for the next quarter.
Wrapping It All Up
At the end of the day, selling to a business and selling to a homebuyer are two very different animals. Homebuyers want somewhere they can picture their future – kids running through the halls, Celebrations with family, you get the idea. Businesses? They want a practical, functional asset that fits into their grand scheme of things.
If you’re selling property, the key is figuring out which type of buyer you’re dealing with – and playing to their expectations. Because whether they’re imagining weekend barbeques or profit margins, one thing’s for sure: they’ll both want a good deal.
Want to list? Here’s where you can sell/list your property online…
