Your Property Questions Answered Q&A

In this week’s blog, I’ll be answering some of your property questions, from finding investors to selecting a strategy to something as simple as naming your business. So, let’s get started…

What contract is best to use when dealing with private funders?

The most important aspect to note is that everything is legal! When it comes to putting the legal framework in place, don’t cut any corners. This includes conducting due diligence on the investor, as it is critical to work with a credible investor.

Some examples of contract types:

• Loan agreement: This contract should be used when an investor or private funder lends you money solely as a loan, with a fixed rate of interest return agreed upon over a specified time frame, such as a 5% return over a year.
• Shareholder agreement: Use this contract when a private funder invests in your project in exchange for shares in a special purpose vehicle, such as a limited company.
• Joint venture agreement: A joint venture agreement is a business arrangement in which two or more parties agree to pool their resources in order to complete a specific task. This task could be a new project or any other business activity; the agreement will detail the financial arrangements upon completion of the project.

These contracts should be drawn up by a corporate solicitor.

Best name for a company?

There is no right or wrong answer for this one; it is based on your personal preference; however, there are some factors to consider:

• Avoid using words that do not accurately represent your company. For example, the word “investment” is frequently misused by real estate companies when the word “management” would be more appropriate.
• Personal to you, the name should have a strong connection to yourself because you are the face of the business and must be completely satisfied with it.
• Don’t rush into a name! Take some time to brainstorm some ideas with any trusted business partners or family members. When my business partner Jay and I were developing Assets For Life, we spent an afternoon brainstorming ideas and when we came across AFL, we knew it was the one.

Make it stand out; you want your company’s name to be catchy and memorable to clients and customers, as this will aid in the marketing process down the road.

Should I use a Letting Agent?

This is an excellent question, and one that I am frequently asked. I have never personally managed one of my own properties because it is not my strong suit, and I would rather spend my time focusing on other aspects of my business, such as securing the next deal.

So I’ve always used an estate agent or someone in-house to manage my properties, but this is just my opinion and may not be the best option for you. It goes without saying that if you use a letting agent, there will be a fee involved, which will reduce your profit while freeing up some of your time to focus on other aspects.

However, there is some value in managing your first few properties because it will develop your knowledge and experience of the industry by learning what works and what doesn’t. This type of experience will put you in a good position in the future if you decide to outsource management because you will be aware of the standards that must be met.

Where to find deals?

Deals are everywhere you just need to know what you’re looking for, some great places for deals are the following:

• Estate agents
• Commercial agents
• Property sourcers
• Online portals e.g. Rightmove, Zoopla, Plotfinder
• Estate gazettes
• Auctions
• Direct vendor markets
• Networking events
• Social media
• Paid advertising

You must become obsessed with finding deals, attend as many viewings as possible, and make offers. Some will be rejected, but one in every three properties that have an accepted offer will return to the market, so make a watch list of the types of properties you’re looking for and check it on a daily basis!

Where to find investors?

Friends, family members, work colleagues, networking events, property events, online events, sports clubs and many more!

Investors are everywhere and investors are always looking to invest in the right opportunity, but it all comes down to your mindset! I never thought it was possible to invest in property using other people’s money until it happened the first time. So be confident in yourself and your business and the investors will follow.