Skip to content

What is a property development company?

Are you a possible property investor who is at the start of your journey to invest? Are you a veteran landlord or real estate investor looking to purchase a direct property from developers?

It might be a different experience from the typical home purchase due to various reasons.

The property you’re buying isn’t yet built. It’s off-plan, or is halfway towards construction.
It’s a unit in a complex . It’s not a separate property.
This property forms part of the mixed-use, or specially-designed student development.
The project includes amenities and facilities, and you’re worried about how they will impact your annual fees.
You’re not sure about the fees per year that developers are seeking to charge, for example charges for ground lease, services charges and management charges.
The developer guarantees an annual rental guarantee for a set amount of time.
The company developing the project is its own managed firm or has hired an affiliate management firm that manages on its owners on behalf of the owners.
The developer will only be able to offer you the guarantee of a rental period when you work with the company that manages their property.
Since the property is not on-plan The developer has asked for a bigger security deposit (over 10 percent) and you’re concerned that your investment is at risk.
There is a question whether you want to purchase a property partly funded through stage payments to developers.
There are horror stories of investors going bankrupt and developers not receiving their deposits back.

How do you know to find a reputable firm for property development Sussex?

Smart investors will are keen to have confidence in the development company they’re purchasing from. It’s a crucial element of due diligence. Along with a knowledge of the structure as well as the financials of the project in question.

The majority of Mixed-use and PBSA properties purchased off-plan or at an early stage of construction conducting due diligence is crucial.

In the following list I’ve covered a few points about the reasons that investors feel differently in buying directly with a builder, specifically off-plan. There’s plenty to consider when it comes to purchasing a flat or house to lease out.

With an official developer due diligence checklist to complete, it’ll be apparent if the company that develops your software ticks all the right boxes and has the goods covered’.

What exactly is a real estate development firm?

Property developers or development firm specializes in the construction of construction of new properties and renovations of existing buildings like the conversion of an office building into residential units.

A property development company will be responsible for getting funding, purchasing land, obtaining planning permission approval, selecting architects and construction firm as well as financing the construction of the project, and selecting the property investment company which will market the units individually.

In addition, depending on whether they are experts in mixed-use or PBSA have a partnership with a management company that specializes in this area to guarantee the highest returns for their investors, as well as the assistance of a legal expert to ensure that the contracts are secure for both the parties – the investors as well as themselves.
What should you be looking for to determine if whether a company for property development is reliable?

It is a given that a reputable development company with a track record and projects that have already come to fruition can give investors an immediate sense of security. Thus, the track-record of the developer and company’s history is essential: land ownership and completed projects, Companies House check – relating to the project’s SPV. Also, who is that Contractor as well as the management firm who are affiliating to the project.
Developer Check-list

The track record, how long has the company existed and the past of not just the business however, but also each director. The company may be brand new however, if reputable designers architects, designers, QS’s, or builders from the industry are collaborating and are looking at their individual records as well as the persons who are behind the business. For example, how many projects specifically the same kind of projects, has the business or individual completed?

Take a look at different review platforms like Trustpilot, Google, etc. Similar to any product or service developers should, or have a page on their website that allows customers to leave feedback. Find out what other investors have to share about their experiences with the company to get an idea of the company’s in terms of delivery, as well as customer service. Be aware, however, that delays during construction are normal and are often inevitable and it’s worth finding out the reasons why the delay occurred.

It’s now so simple for us to conduct research and find news stories on the internet. Do a Google search to find out if there’s an article that is positive about the development company, as well as any new or upcoming developments. Don’t be intimidated by the lack of coverage from the media, however should you come across negative news articles about the business or people within the organization, you should be especially careful. Consider asking questions, and possibly beware of the investment if you don’t obtain satisfactory answers regarding any negative story or accusation.

Verify who is the owner of the land in the particular project you are researching. Perform an Companies House check relating to the project’s SPV and make sure the directors’ names are in line? If not, you can find out the reason and the ownership structures of the company.

Check and request all details of the project. Each development project launched by a developer might have a slightly different structure than the one before. It could be due to the how it is funded by the local council, or perhaps due to JV partnerships with a construction company or an investment company. The main questions are: when will the project begin construction? Is the date of the start dependent on any other conditions, e.g. building funding? Find out how your deposit is protected and how the deposit funds or stage payments are protected. Find out how the management of project costs is monitored and if there’s any contingency plans by the developer to cover any type of shortfall?

Take note of the developer has decided to work with on the project you’re thinking of investing in. Examine the track record and the reviews of the lettings and management agents particularly in the event that the developer is offering an assured rental return for the first few years , this is typical for PBSA developments. Be sure that they’re well-established and have provided appraisals of projected rental forecasts and service charges, as well as the management fee and letting fee.

It is also possible to be more diligent and learn or inquire about the builder who is contracted to construct the development. You can also conduct a similar search online and also on Companies House. However, if the builder lets an owner down or fails to achieve its building milestones and deadlines, the developer must be required to sign a strict contract place, and would simply replace the builder with a different one.