Covid-19 has changed much of the world as we know it. Never before in our lifetime have we seen a worldwide crisis capable of shutting down whole countries and industries.

No industry has escaped the crisis without some business change. Government employees began working from home, healthcare workers took on even more responsibilities, and thousands of people discovered that they were essential workers.

Real estate didn’t escape the effects either. Residential real estate took a hit in early 2020 but has sprung back, producing a housing boom.

Commercial real estate also saw some changes, but certain sectors are predicted to do well when experts talk about what 2021 looks like. If you’re considering a commercial real estate investment, that’s good news. Before you invest though, you need to know where to start.

So, let’s talk about how Covid-19 has affected the commercial real estate world, and what investments you should consider and avoid.

Medical Offices Are Going Strong

Since the pandemic began, telemedicine has gained popularity. If you’re not familiar with telemedicine, it’s when you have an appointment with a doctor via phone or video chat.

This rise in popularity has caused a decrease in in-person visits for basic ailments and diagnoses, but despite that, most medical offices are going strong.

This comes down to the fact that major illnesses and injuries can’t be treated if a doctor doesn’t see you in person. Technology has come a long way, but it hasn’t invented a way to treat a broken leg through the computer.

Other medical practices, like dental offices, are also doing well due to the hands-on nature of the work. In general, any business that stays strong during a pandemic is probably a good business to open. So you can feel safe buying this sort of commercial real estate.

Event Venues Are Suffering

Unfortunately, event venues haven’t done as well as the medical industry during the pandemic. With nationwide lockdowns and social distancing practices in place, many venues have shut down.

Some have found ways to work around the issue, holding virtual concerts and other low-risk events. Others have sadly announced they won’t be able to recover and will be closing shop permanently.

While these kinds of businesses do well under normal circumstances, we now know that they can’t stand the test of a major crisis like the one we’ve seen. Avoiding such investments is wise, at least until we see how the industry recovers in a post-pandemic world.

Restaurants Are Somewhere In The Middle

WIth the rules about where you can go and how many people can be in a room at once changing often, it’s not surprising that restaurants are somewhere in the middle. On the one hand, in-house dining went down dramatically in 2020. On the other, curb-side delivery and normal delivery soared.

As things slowly return to normal, the restaurant world will too. You can already see packed dining areas in some states.

When investing, it’s important to keep in mind that we now know these businesses can be shut down in a crisis. If you’re looking for a Covid-19-proof bet, this isn’t a sure thing.

The Outlook For The Future

Something we can learn from expert real estate investors is that choosing real estate is still one of the best financial decisions you can make. Even during the pandemic, many property values have continued to increase while other forms of investing have suffered.

With that in mind, the outlook for the future is good. There will certainly be changes, many companies have already announced they won’t be sending their staff back to work in a physical office. Those changes may cause some tension in real estate, but it’s an industry that always adapts.

As we discussed earlier, certain commercial real estate, like medical centers, are doing just fine. So, if you’re ready to follow the expert’s advice and get involved in real estate investing, you can start the commercial loan process.

This will give you the funds you need to purchase your own doctor’s office, medical center, dentist practice, or whatever other commercial real estate property you think would be a good fit for you.

Keep the lessons of the pandemic in mind when choosing what commercial property to buy.

Covid-19 shook up the commercial real estate world, but it’s still a great investment to consider. Just keep in mind which businesses remained busy during the shutdowns, and you’ll know which properties will especially thrive as the world begins to reopen.