For many salon and beauty business owners, rent becomes one of the largest recurring costs of operating the business.

Month after month, the business builds its clientele, reputation and revenue while continuing to pay for someone else's real estate.

That raises an important question:

When does owning your salon space start making more sense than continuing to lease?

Look beyond the monthly payment

Buying commercial real estate is not right for every operator, but the comparison shouldn't stop at rent versus mortgage payments.

A buyer may also be gaining a long-term real estate asset and greater control over the space their business operates from.

For an established salon operator who already knows their required layout, location and clientele, ownership can become particularly interesting.

Starting from scratch is another major cost

Taking an empty commercial unit and turning it into a functioning salon can require significant time and money.

Stations, plumbing, electrical work, treatment areas and the overall customer experience all have to be considered.

That is why an existing salon property deserves a different analysis than an empty commercial unit.

Ask yourself this

If you're already paying for a commercial space every month, how close are you to being able to own one instead?

50 Dunlop presents the type of opportunity established stylists, salon operators and beauty-industry entrepreneurs should be comparing with their current lease situation.

Sometimes the next step for a business isn't another lease.

It is becoming the landlord.