Tag: real estate debt
Webinar 4 – Thrive in ’25: Centurion
Welcome, Smarties, to another engaging episode of Smart Real Estate with Westcliff! We are here to guide you through the intricate world of real estate investment, helping you learn, invest, and manage your assets successfully. This episode features a conversation with Aziz Zahmoul from Centurion Asset Management, shedding light on their thriving real estate fund established since 2003.
Introduction to Westcliff
At Westcliff, our philosophy is simple: Learn, Invest, Manage. We are invested in your learning journey, offering webinars and podcasts to guide you through different real estate investment strategies. Our Westcliff Investors Network is a thriving community where investors connect, learn from one another, and seek advice in an interactive setting. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just starting, our team is here to assist you in making informed and smart investment decisions.
Meet Aziz Zahmoul
Aziz Zahmoul, the Director of Sales at Centurion Asset Management, comes with an impressive background in finance and investment. Initially venturing into accounting, his love for numbers led him to a thriving career in finance, navigating roles at CIBC and Sun Life before joining Centurion. Under his leadership, Centurion has emerged as a major player in the real estate investment sector, focusing on apartment buildings and student housing.
Centurion’s Unique Investment Strategy
Centurion owns and operates buildings without relying on third-party managers, a strategic advantage that allows for economies of scale and cost efficiency. Their investment philosophy prioritizes long-term value creation, capital preservation, and predictable income.
Centurion is a REIT specializing in private income-producing multifamily apartments, student housing, and medical offices. Notably, they invest strategically across Canada, spreading their portfolio across different provinces and leveraging the country’s strongest rental markets.
Centurion’s unique approach includes investing in mortgages rather than direct construction, providing financing for developers in exchange for purchase options on completed properties. This strategy ensures they acquire brand-new, institution-grade apartment buildings without the risk of development.
Portfolio Insights
With over 22,000 units under management, Centurion’s portfolio spans the nation, excluding downtown cores to focus on suburban and ex-urban areas. This approach delivers access to diverse economic cycles and population trends, ensuring steady investment returns.
Notably, Centurion targets a 7-12% annual return for investors, combining monthly distributions with appreciative growth. Despite market fluctuations, robust governance and strategies have kept their investments resilient and profitable.
Challenges and Opportunities
Aziz highlighted potential risks like government legislative changes, property market saturation, and liquidity concerns. Nevertheless, Centurion’s strategic planning, including managing low leverage and securing significant lines of credit, positions them to navigate potential downturns effectively.
Recent Acquisitions and Developments
Centurion continues to expand with strategic acquisitions throughout Canada, focusing on high-demand areas like Kelowna and Nova Scotia. Their acquisition pipeline reflects a commitment to sourcing quality assets through their innovative mortgage book strategy.
Conclusion
In closing, Centurion Asset Management stands as a beacon of innovative real estate investment strategies, intertwined with prudent market navigation and investor-focused outcomes. For anyone eager to diversify their investment portfolio, Centurion provides a compelling option with a track record of stability and growth.
Stay tuned for future episodes as we continue to unravel the complexities of real estate investing, sharing insights, strategies, and success stories from industry experts. For more information, connect with us at Westcliff via our website or various social media platforms.
Thank you for joining Smart Real Estate with Westcliff. We look forward to guiding you on your investment journey.
For inquiries or a copy of the webinar slides, Westcliff can be contacted via text at 647 799 2264 or through email at info@westcliffam.com.
Webinar – Thrive in ’25 – Alternative Investments
Alternative investments can be a significant asset in diversifying and enriching your portfolio. The “Thrive in ’25” webinar series, featuring industry experts Addy Saeed and Kaz Jaffer, delves into innovative strategies for passive investing using equity and debt strategies. This blog post summarizes the key insights from the first webinar in the series.
Introduction to Alternative Investments
Welcoming all attendees, Addy Saeed, a registered dealing representative with Waverley Corporate Finance, introduces the concept of alternative investments. He outlines the agenda, which includes a comprehensive guide to equity and debt strategies, an exploration of investment opportunities, and guides on utilizing digital tools for engaging with the presenters during the webinar.
Key Benefits of Passive vs. Active Investing
Addy outlines two primary investment methods: active and passive investing. While active investing involves direct ownership and management of assets like real estate, passive investing is defined by its minimal initial capital requirement, absence of debt involvement, professional management, and diversification across multiple assets. This method leverages non-traditional investment options beyond stocks and bonds, thus offering robust diversification.
Advantages of Real Estate and Private Equity
Don McDonald from Waverley Corporate Finance explains why Canadians heavily invest in public equities and bonds, pointing out the control exerted by banks and life companies. He shares insights into why the “smart money” is often directed towards private equities and real estate for better risk-adjusted returns, better capital protection, and comparatively low volatility.
Exploring Real Estate Investing
Kaz Jaffer picks up the baton to describe why additional scrutiny is required when dealing with alternative investments as compared to public equities. Private alternative investments tend to capitalize on the tangible appreciation of assets rather than sentiment-driven market trends. Investors must also consider factors like project-specific risks and capital accessibility.
Equity vs. Debt Investment Strategies
Kaz further emphasizes understanding equity and debt strategies, underscoring the necessity for investors to ascertain their position within the capital structure—whether reaping the rewards through profit sharing in equity or through interest payments in debt.
Ensuring Compliance and Customer Knowledge
The webinar underscores the importance of compliance through Know Your Customer (KYC) and Know Your Product (KYP) processes, fit to ascertain suitable selections tailored to individual client profiles. Addy and Kaz, as regulated dealing representatives, are required to adhere to the strictest compliance practices to protect the public interest.
Investment Opportunities Presented
Four investment opportunities discussed in the webinar include:
Centurion Asset Management: A household name targeting 7-12% annual returns by investing in 158 properties across Canada.
Durum Industrial REIT: Offers exposure to industrial real estate, growing significantly due to the e-commerce boom with a target return of 8-12%.
Ginkgo MIC: A mortgage investment corporation providing annual returns in the vicinity of 9%, leveraging a diversified loan portfolio.
North America Home Finance: Provides a development opportunity in Langford, BC, with expected returns of 55% over approximately 36 months.
Final Thoughts
This introductory session in the Thrive in ’25 series illustrates the advantages of alternative investing and highlights the importance of due diligence, legal compliance, and strategic diversification. Engaging with experts and seeking personalized advice are crucial steps in navigating the world of alternative investments.
Websites Mentioned
