"BUILD-TO-RENT"

THE MOST REVOLUTIONARY ASSET CLASS SEEN IN AUSTRALIAN REAL ESTATE FOR DECADES

Set to change forever Australian property investing and housing


The value of the Australian residential market, as reported by ‘CoreLogic’ in August 2021, was 8.8 Trillion.

In the US and UK, the growing BTR asset class represents respectively 12% and 2% of the total existing housing stock. If only 1% of Australia’s current housing stock were to transition to BTR, it would then represent an A$88 billion opportunity.

Another way to see the potential is there are around 3.36 million investment properties in Australia.

The average investment property value is reported to be at about 60% of the median house price.

With capital cities median house prices in mid 2021 averaging just over 1M, that makes the average investment property value at $613K, making the total value of all investment (rented out) properties over 2 Trillion.

If the BTR market were to take over only 4% of the total rental market, we would again see a market potential of over $80 Billion

"Build-to-Rent developments could change the way we live and in a post-Covid worldcould be the path to unlocking billions in investment".

THE AUSTRALIAN - AUGUST 2021

BUILD TO RENT SUMMARY

The growing global real estate phenomenon Build to Rent is creating unprecedented worldwide interest with private real estate funds, public listed developers, industry superannuation funds, global Sovereign Funds, and Sovereign Pension Funds all declaring their interest in the new housing asset class in Australia.Build to Rent (BTR)has been a hot topic in global real estate circles for the last few years.

In the US investment in this sector is expected to increase by 33% in 2021 according to a report by CBRE.

In the UK an increasing number of projects have come to market in recent years so the UK Build to Rent is no longer restricted to industry insiders.

According to The Times, university leavers and young professionals are being joined by older “tactical renters” who choose to rent for a variety of reasons.

Build to Rent may be a growing global phenomenon but it’s still very new in Australia.

The BTR concept was first thrust into the spotlight as a part of the 2019 federal election campaign when Labour proposed taxation reforms for Build to Rent in Australia.

Since then, Build to Rent has started to become more reported in mainstream media in Australia.

BTR is opposed to the common build-to-sell method, where a developer builds a residential development and sells the apartments to individuals to either live in or rent out as an investment.

Build to Rent is part of a growing institutionalised housing market and is particularly attractive for institutions, both local, international and sovereign funds that want reliable, steady income as well as exposure to the Australian residential property market.

For low-entry requirements for individual investors, investing in funds and trusts which develop BTR projects may be the only way to enter the market.

For institutional investors, the BTR projects provide diversification and stabilised long-term returns, reducing the re-leasing risk and commission payments as compared to other commercial assets.

Through large-scale development and management, the BTR project will benefit the labour market, from the design and construction sector and long terms employment from management, cleaning services, landscaping and maintenance.

However, BTR private-placement type of investments will be limited to qualified private investors (or family office type investors) where minimum investment amounts in Australia would be likely to be in the range of A$300K-$500K region.

Q: How do Build to Rent (BTR) developments differ from Build To Sell?(BTS)

A: Naturally, in order to appeal to a specific section of the property market (i.e. those who wish to rent rather than buy), developers are custom designing BTR sites to suit prospective renter’s lifestyles. Obviously, the properties themselves need to meet modern standards of living, and plenty actually exceed expectations if you’re willing and able to pay the rent they command, but BTR developments in many areas are going one step further than merely designing fantastic apartments.

Developers are now creating, or at least trying to create, mini communities within their developments by including features such as communal areas where people can hang out and socialise together. Such features include the obvious and not-so obvious, from gyms to lounges and games rooms to dining spaces. In fact, many BTR developments are actually closer to hotels than homes.

Tenants will even have their own concierge in some. And the latest technology. And cleaning and laundry services.

Build-to-Rent aims to take the best aspects of Single Family Residences and apartments, and upgrade the experience by developing all properties inside a professionally managed community.

They are much more akin to traditional, gated residential neighborhoods with great community amenities and professional management without burdening residents with Rates and Charges, Body Corporate Fees, Land Taxes and repairs. Or servicing mortgage debt.

Owners can not arrive and evict the tenant. The tenant can sign up for one month or 5 years.

The new buildings will be Covid prepared, self check in and arrival, and much more.

Q: How important is location for Build To Rent?

A: "As with any housing project, location is vitally important. And, as build to rent is a service-driven housing solution, the audience for the scheme is crucial.

BTR can offer housing in connected locations that would otherwise be unaffordable to commuters, but the location needs to be right to support the density and sustain the community.

Due to the financial firepower behind BTR, developers have been able to unlock high-value sites in urban areas that for-sale developers would have struggled with"

 (Russell Pedley, co-founder and director of award-winning BTR market leader Assael Architecture, and co-author of the Urban Land Institute’s Build to Rent: A Best Practice Guide, UK, sponsored by the UK Government)

Q: What is your philosophy about providing amenities for residents?

A: "Shift some the amenity space from private to shared use. There are primary shared amenities that every BTR project should have (mail delivery, lounge area, back of house for storage, loading bay for move in and move out, refuse collection facilities) and there are secondary amenities to reflect the brand. Since BTR buildings are typically institutionally backed and owner-operated, the building has to perform as an asset for both the investors and residents.

This means that facilities such as gyms and swimming pools must be continuously assessed both in terms of what they add to the community and their operational costs. Fostering a sense of community within a BTR development is essential, as it leads to higher retention rates that contribute positively to the financial performance of the development. When people love where and who they live next to, they stick around!" (Russell Pedley)

   Experts predict a build-to-rent (BTR) revolution coming to Australia

"It’s well-established overseas but, in Australia, it’s a new form of housing and there’s a lot of excitement around it.”

Adam Hirst, general manager capital allocation at developers Mirvac

To invest in Build to Rent property, there are only a limited number of opportunities for individual investors to go down.

Most Build to Rent projects are held for rental income by developers or funds.

So in saying that you can invest in shares of a BTR developer.  Some investors have made the mistake of investing themselves in student housing or buying serviced apartments, thinking this perhaps was Build to Rent.

Far from it! These investments have mostly been very unsuccessful for individuals in terms of capital growth, although very lucrative for developers.

Build to Rent investors opportunities are generally only open to accredited investors, in joint venture or syndications with private property developers.

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"Everything You Need to Know About "BUILD-TO-RENT 2021"

 

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*Guidelines as to what is an "Accredited Investor"?

Investors placing AU$500,000 or more in a single investment usually automatically qualify as an accredited investor and no further requirements need be met.

For investors placing lesser amounts in Australia, they need to qualify as follows:

Income last two years of AU$250K for each year

or:

Net assets of AU$2.5M

or:

Gross assets of AU$10M (Have or control)

or:

Assessed by a licensee as having previous experience in using financial services and investing in financial products.

In preparing this website Citylife International Realty Limited  ("The Company") has relied upon information provided by the various partners and information that is publicly available. This website is for the sole purpose of assisting potential investors ("Prospective Investors") in relation to understanding the investment opportunity in Australia, and the background of The Company. The material on this website has been prepared for informational purposes only should in no event be construed as a solicitation or offer; as investment, legal, tax or other advice; or as a recommendation to buy, sell or engage in any transaction whatsoever. Offers to sell, or the solicitations of offers to buy, any security can only be made through official offering documents that contain important information about risks, fees and expenses.