- Realise - Realise the challenge, Realise the opportunity, Realise the solution. Realise has been set up to meet the challenges and opportunities in the property sector arising out of the current market slowdown.
- Extensive property development experience and adequate funding will be the cornerstone to success in realising opportunities in these market conditions. Our role is to recognise where opportunities exist, whether they be in the short, medium or long term, to locate those opportunities and introduce them to appropriate investors.
- Our extensive background in the residential property sector and our wide range of experience, including development, finance, fund management and law gives us a unique skills set and perspective on the market together with an ability to structure transactions. Founded by Mike Jones and Charles Wilkinson, Realise Strategic Advisors
- Limited works closely with a range of private investors tailoring transactions to meet their individual needs. Through our wide range of contacts and our detailed, cautious approach to due diligence we aim to deliver bespoke, prudent property solutions in these challenging times.
Charles Wilkinson
Charles Wilkinson has 30 years of experience in the property industry having graduated from the College of Estate Management at Reading University in 1978. His career path has been particularly varied initially spending four years with international property consultants, Richard Ellis. Following development and investment experience in the City of London, with Compass Securities and Guardian, Charles spent over 10 years with the Abbey Life Property Fund becoming Senior Fund Manager with responsibility for direct development, joint ventures and a £400m investment portfolio. He also initiated and managed both residential and commercial development finance funds with a combined value of over £50m.
In 1995 Charles joined the Durngate Group as a director and undertook both commercial and residential developments from inception to completion including site acquisition, planning, funding, construction procurement and marketing.
In 2001 Charles joined a start up company, Kenmore Homes Group, and as managing director actively drove the growth of the company's direct and joint venture business throughout England and Scotland to around 500 units per annum with a turnover of around £75m per annum. The Group was sold in September 2007 to a fund managed by Highcross Strategic Advisors.
Charles is married with four children and lives in Dorset. His interests range from sport, in particular athletics (Charles was formerly Masters European 400m Champion) to travel and the built environment. Charles is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and a member of the Investment Property Forum.
Michael Jones
Michael practised as a solicitor before a change of direction, becoming involved in property development during the early nineties. Having developed many sites across Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset emphasis has been placed upon creating character country homes to include farmyards, barn conversions and thatched cottages. Targeting this niche market with a careful eye on project costs proved successful during the challenging times of the early nineties. Several complex brownfield sites have also been developed notably the regeneration of the site of a former rope factory in Bridport town centre.
Excessive land prices and tight margins have in more recent times steered Michael away from building and attention has turned to trading land having added value through the design and planning process. A wealth of experience has been gained in dealing with the issues arising in promoting and developing often sensitive sites. Michael is also an Accredited Dispute Settlement Mediator.
Our Approach
We welcome the opportunity to talk with investors about the benefits of investing in residential property at this time, particularly, subject to careful stock selection and due diligence, buying at the current low prices, holding, letting where appropriate, adding value and selling as the market recovers in the medium term.
Unlike conditions prevailing in overseas countries such as Spain and the USA there remains a structural shortfall in the provision of new housing stock and this will be further exacerbated by the current downturn in
market conditions.
The directors of Realise have many years experience of working closely with private investors. A transparent partnering approach is adopted with a business plan agreed for each project and budgets, goals and objectives clearly defined.
We also understand the needs and requirements of vendors and we present our rationale in a straightforward uncomplicated manner minimising the risk of misunderstanding.
Project Acquisition
Through our contacts within the property industry we are able to source a wide range of opportunities from development land, to completed and part completed projects. Opportunities that show promise are appraised and reported to the appropriate investor. Following investor approval we negotiate the heads of terms, carry out appropriate due diligence
and instruct solicitors and other professionals giving clear direction and recommendation including negotiating with debt providers. During the acquisition phase we also prepare for implementation, priming the project for construction, fit out and marketing as appropriate.
Project Implementation
Following the completion of the acquisition we will promptly implement the business plan managing and controlling all processes to include satisfying planning and legal requirements, instructing the professional team, commencing or re commencing building works, and coordinating and initiating the marketing
strategy. We report to investors on a pre agreed, periodic basis throughout the implementation phase reporting on progress, income and expenditure and ensuring clear lines of communication are maintained at all times.
Project Disposal
We make no rash promises on making a quick return for our investors in the current market conditions. At the outset we agree a preferred exit strategy and an indicative
timetable. Although typically this is likely to be over a 3 to 5 year period it is important that there is a time contingency to optimise returns.