How We Source Properties For You

How Does Alliance Property Group Get Its Properties?

by Gordon Campbell

This is a question we get asked regularly, not only by our international investors, but by many others, so here is how we do it.

James and Gordon are both very successful long-term, experienced, knowledgeable, professional property investors and have built up a strong network over the years, individually and collectively.

That has been done by the way that they live their lives and in the way they do business, professionally, ethically, morally and treat everyone the way they wish to be treated.

Everyone knows what is required, no BS, expectations are met and that combined with clear and effective communication, it all ensures we always provide the highest level of service.

That philosophy is the same when Alliance Property Group was set up and is the same today and one of the key cornerstones to the success of the business.

What Criteria Do You Have?

Due to the strong and professional reputation we have, we get offered many properties every month.

Out of all the properties we get offered every month we will only take on about 70% of them.

There is a huge amount of work and due diligence involved in securing any property so from the initial communication with the vendor we will have a very good idea about the area and sell predominantly in the Glasgow metropolitan area so:

We always ensure:

• It is the right property
• In the right condition
• It is in the right area
• It is the right price
• It is the right yield and return

If the property doesn’t work in anyway, we do not take it on to sell it.

What Due Diligence do we do?

A huge amount of diligence is done on every property.

From the initial communication with the vendor we will have a very good idea about the area as we sell predominantly in the Glasgow metropolitan area as mentioned in the above points.

Once we narrow down what properties will work, we will:

• View every property
• Know in detail the refurbishment and cost
• Negotiate the very best price with the vendor
• Speak to local estate agents
• Speak to local surveyors
• Speak to local letting agent
• Do market comparables on Rightmove Plus

These are factual and actual comparables from Rightmove Plus, the back office part of the Rightmove portal, the UKs biggest property portal, which is what the best estate and letting agents use and subscribe to.

It is very expensive and very unique for a sourcing company to have.

It is a very powerful property tool to have.

It is is another example of how we are different and the lenghts we go to to give you a market leading and professional service.

Where Do You Get the Properties?

Direct to Vendor

97% of the properties that Alliance Property Group sell are Direct to Vendor, Off Market and Below Market Value.

That is quite a unique and privileged position to have and be in.

That has evolved in the last few years to where we are today in that proportion being so high.

That is because of the very strong reputation we have, the way that we do business in an easy, uncomplicated, ethical, moral and responsive way, and the ‘Go To’ people to get properties sold fast.

The main reasons the sellers are looking to sell quick is because of the 3 Ds.

• Death
• Divorce
• Debt

They must sell quick, usually, so getting a mutually agreed discount on the market value we can sell quick and complete a sale in 4 weeks.

This is a quick, easy and stress-free process for the vendor and all that benefits that are passed onto the investor

Estate Agents

This is an obvious one and the way in which most of the housing stock in the country changes hands.

It is very rare for us to sell an on market property but with the strong relationships we have with some agents they will come to us if a landlord is looking to sell a portfolio or property that is more problematic or requires a quick sale.

The agent knows that when we negotiate and agree terms that the sale will be in safe hands and a win win for everyone.

Auction

Auctions is not a strategy for us.

There can be some good deals that can be got at auction but they can be complicated in so many ways and hugely time consuming with no guarantee of success.

The price may appear to be attractive when it is listed but that is a guide price and if it is a decent property it will sell well over the guide price and no value in the deal.

Portfolios

This can be regarded as another Holy Grail, however a lot of issues can arise on portfolios.

In several cases when we are offered portfolios, we will look to sell some of the properties individually because of some issues.

The major ones are:

• Unrealistic Vendors every vendor thinks that their portfolio, and sometimes individual property, is worth more than it is
• Lack of motivation - the portfolio makes a profit or, even when breaking even, is not causing any issues, so there are no “pain points”.
• All the money has already been sucked out of it. Leverage is at 75-85% LTV and there is no headroom to do a deal.
• It is poorly managed, usually self-managed by the vendor and can be problematic and it is in a poor state of repair
  
  

Sourcers

• This makes up a small proportion of properties we get and sell but we work with some great, like minded sourcing agents.
• We only work with like minded sourcing agents as unfortunately there are too may who do not understand how the industry works, cannot deliver genuinely solid stock, not the same principles as us and can be time wasting for us.
• That’s why we only work with like-minded people and businesses in our power team.
• With the sourcers we work with, the properties they get and source are for themselves and sometimes they are not in a position to buy it so they offer it to us.
• Sometimes it is a property they have been offered off market and they don’t have the client base or reach to sell it so it is passed onto us and a commission is paid to them.

Direct from Banks, Financial Institutions and Receivers

Last but not least!

This strand is often viewed as the ultimate Holy Grail.

You will, as you progress, come across agents that deal with receivership properties and again we have built up good relationships with estate agents and Bank Receivership/Asset Management Companies that deal with repossession/foreclosure properties as they know they are dealing with serious, experienced, knowledgeable property professionals in Alliance Property Group.

There is an established system, including that the agents/business owners cannot go anywhere near these properties because of the obvious conflict of interest.

This creates a clear opportunity, and there is a networking angle here - lots and lots and lots of hard work may lead to profitable relationships.

Remember that in the UK properties that have been repossessed need to be shown to market, and public notice given for any offers made.

There can be mentions about stock that moves through the “side door” in these situations.

That simply does not happen on properties from receivers or properties we get from estate agents.

They can’t, it’s not legal or ethical for that to be done.

Summary

We hope that will give you an insight to the immense work and diligence that we do before property deal proposal are issued.

Also, the care, passion, desire, professional approach and going that extra mile in everything we do and having The Alliance Property Group Difference