Reshaping the Asset Manager Investor Relationship

The adoption of video calls, digital signatures and other tech during Covid helped property managers and clients do business despite the global disruptions. While tech creates greater efficiencies, it will always remain an enabler – not a substitute – for quality asset management service.

LJ Hooker Commercial Macarthur co-Director Aaron Ward highlighted a recent engagement the agency had with a client as an example of ‘old school’ service coming back to the fore.

“We conducted a portfolio review for a client where we blocked out four hours in our calendar and drove around with them to each of their properties we manage,” said Mr Ward.

“We discussed upcoming lease expiries and market rents, valuations, capex and maintenance, what their ultimate goal for each property was and more.

“That’s the sort of one-on-one service we were doing before Covid and there’s still a lot of value in dedicating face-time with clients to deep-dive into their strategy.

“For the rest of the year and into 2025, we’re going to be investing more time into traditional client interactions because it’s of great benefit to us, as the asset manager, and our clients appreciate it as well.”

Relationships are critical to all LJ Hooker Commercial businesses, with many across Australia enjoying decades in business through the trust and loyalty they’ve built.

The LJ Hooker Commercial network has some of the industry’s most experienced asset management specialists.

LJ Hooker Commercial Macarthur has more than $1.5bn worth of properties under management. Existing clients routinely refer their peers to the business’ asset management team, which has been divided into sector specialisations of retail and commercial / industrial.

“One of the common things we see when a new client comes to us is that they’ve transitioned their tenant from gross to net terms without properly accounting for outgoings,” said Mr Ward.

“We’ve had to rectify issues where the investor has been tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket every year which, compounded over the term of a lease, is a major issue in their wealth strategy.”

Every investor should be looking for a commercial property manager who has:

• At least a couple of years’ experience in commercial property management
• An excellent grasp of market rates
• Insights into the in-demand and emerging requisites of tenants and how to value-add to the asset at lease and sale time
• Forward-planning experience so the maintenance schedule keeps the asset compliant and working at its optimum level
• In-depth understanding of the various legislative requirements of retail, office and industrial.
  
  

If you’re thinking about optimising the performance of your asset for 2025 and beyond, reach out to your local LJ Hooker Commercial team today.