Property Syndication

Property syndication provides investors the opportunity to access premium, high yielding commercial and industrial property offerings with minimum investments ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. This involves investment in proportionate ownership schemes, allowing experienced property investors to enjoy earnings from high performing property without having to self manage the assets.

Syndication is typically a passive form of ownership most commonly in office, industrial or retail property and comes with a full management package. It enables smaller investors to participate in higher-yielding property that would otherwise only be available to wealthier individuals or institutional investors.

Colliers syndication experts specialise in bringing syndication schemes to the market, linking investors with high-performing schemes and opportunities.

The returns from commercial property tend to be more stable over time versus volatility compared with other asset classes.

Cash returns available from property syndications are generally higher than bank term deposits and are more likely to outperform residential property investments.

Investor’s funds are pooled and they become investment partners in good buildings, with good tenants and long leases. The property is fully managed on behalf of the investors with forecast cash returns distributed monthly into the investor's bank account.

Many investors choose to benefit from diversification through investing in properties in various locations (throughout New Zealand and Australia) and differing property types such as retail, commercial and industrial, along with different tenant profiles.

A subscriber has the right to sell a proportionate share at any time during the term of the scheme, subject to the requirements of the relevant ownership and management deed or deed of participation relating to the syndicate.

For example, all outstanding amounts need to be paid by the subscriber and relevant anti-money laundering verification information needs to be provided for the prospective purchaser of the proportionate share.

Our clients operate a secondary market facility to arrange secondary transfers. There is also the ability to purchase secondary units on the Syndex Exchange, a secondary unit trading platform.

Property is purchased using investor equity or through a blend of investor funds and borrowings from a bank. The amount borrowed from the bank will be secured by non-recourse first mortgage over the property. The purchase will be carried out by a nominee who will hold the title to the property as a bare trustee on behalf of each investor on a proportionate basis.

Most syndicates have a minimum investment requirement, which generally ranges from $10,000 to $100,000. Once the property has been purchased, a Scheme Manager is appointed and becomes responsible for the day to day management of the asset. The syndication company will take care of the accounting and distribution of income to the investors.

Most Syndications do not have a termination date and will continue until a majority of investors vote in favour of winding them up. Investors can expect to have their money in the scheme for 5 – 10 years, unless they decide to sell their interest through the secondary market.

Potential investors should seek independent, competent advice about this type of investment product if they are not familiar with the various factors that can affect a commercial property's income stream and capital value.

Offers may only be open to wholesale investors and those qualifying as eligible investors under the FMCA2013.

A wholesale investor is an investing entity who meets one of the requirements below:

• Investing a minimum of $750,000
• Has net assets of at least $5m
• A professional investment business
• Invested at least $1m in financial products (excluding category 2 e.g. retirement products) in the last two years 

An eligible investor must self-declare their previous investment experience and provide independent verification from their accountant, lawyer or authorised financial advisor. The offeror must then satisfy themselves that this experience qualifies the investor as eligible to invest in this product.