ISFIN develops a capacity in the Real Estate sector and launches a solution at the MIPIM 2015 in Cannes

The International Real Estate Federation has identified 10 majors challenges and trends hitting Real Estate Agents/Brokers. Laurent Marliere, CEO of ISFIN, explains: "we have assessed these issues pragmatically and offer a solution  to every one of them. By helping Real Estate professionals position themselves on our remunerative and fast growing market segment, we help them build a tremendous added value."

"Real estate is a preferred sector for Islamic investments in the West. The MIPIM is the right place for us to kick off that new area!"

The challenges of the Real Estate sector are :  

1. Too Few Buyers
2. More Informed and demanding Consumers
3. Poor international connections
4. Banks not lending, institutional investors buying
5. Complex regulatory and tax environment
6. Too Many Agents/brokers
7. Lower commission rates
8. Lack of differentiation from Agents/brokers
9. Poor innovation and marketing
10. Unreasonable Price Expectations by Sellers

How to address them ?

Too few buyers

Most Real Estate Agents are looking at the traditional routes to attract buyers. ISFIN is focused on the high growth emerging markets. (Forecasts show that by 2025, 60% of all the construction activity will take place in those regions. Source: Global Constuction 2025)

We access the full range of investors (private, family offices, corporate, institutions, public and sovereign) in the markets in excess of liquidity, seeking new investment routes.

More informed and demanding consumers

ISFIN helps professionals develop their expertise in the profitable segment of the Islamic markets via a transfer of know-how to deal with Islamic investors.  ISFIN is organised around professional groups to facilitate sharing of knowledge and expertise and to create business opportunities

Poor international connections

With ISFIN, Real Estate professionals are able to share buyers portfolios in 75 countries worldwide. They are part of a multi-professional network including lawyers, notaries, auditors, accountants, tax experts,… They also provide knowledge and potential deals.

Even if they are part of a global network/brand, professionals should develop further their network by exploring new competences and portfolios which will complete their offer. ISFIN is NO competitor to the large Real Estate firms but complete their offer in a niche segment.

Banks not lending

ISFIN cooperates with the top 100 Islamic Finance Institutions (IFIs). Unlike Western counterparts, lending facilities are often easier and more accessible with those institutions. ISFIN help agents and brokers reach the right executives in those banks to introduce their project.

Complex regulatory and tax environments

ISFIN’s partners englobes top tier law firms and tax experts. Real Estate professionals live in a sophisticated world requiring to access professionals able to design a tailor-made vehicle or solution for their clients either on the selling or buying side. In a click or a call, they rely on the best advice for conventional or Islamic transactions with their fellow ISFIN partner.

Too many Agents/Brokers

Stubborn Real Estate professionals are increasing in numbers to get the shares of a decreasing pie. ISFIN’s business model based solely on the high growth market is an opportunity for smarter professionals to pioneer a new commercial route and profile his/her firm as THE leader on that Islamic market segment. Our job is that they become recognized as THE intermediary on the Selling or Buying side when dealing with the Islamic world in their country.

Lower Commission rates

Rates are fixed according to the categories of clients they are dealing with. Looking at an international Gulf or Asian clientele used to other levels of commission proves to be much more remunerative. ISFIN helps professionals think and operate « out of the box ». With ISFIN,they consolidate their international practice.

Lack of differentiation from Agents/brokers

Seen from the client’s perspective, all real estate firms are selling pretty much the same services or even properties. ISFIN is a marketing powerhouse and we help their firm position themselves differently on the market, offering a perceived added value to clients and prospects. We raise their profile as the natural partner to deal with those investments.

Poor innovation and marketing

Our catalogue of services, exclusively available to our partners, entails a range of actions available for professionnals. ISFIN has been recognized by the FT-Financial Times Awards for its innovative corporate strategy. Being an ISFIN partner is a fabulous opportunity to brainstorm on one's strategy and adapt its marketing.

Unreasonable prices expectations by sellers

The fact that we navigate in richer fishing waters allow our partner firms to get better prices on their deals and get higher commissions.  ISFIN is to launch a dealroom and ensure potential matches between property opportunities and investors or investments funds seeking valuable investment opportunities.

 

ISFIN is the world’s leading platform for law firms specializing in Islamic Finance, investments from and to the Muslim world and the Halal industry. The alliance covers more than 75 jurisdictions around the world. ISFIN is composed of the most innovative and highly regarded independent law firms, audit & accounting firms and real estate companies in their field.

For more informations, contact:

Zineb BENSAID
Senior Consultant
Master in Competitive Intelligence
Telephone: + (32) 483 359 515  

ZB@isfin.net

www.isfin.net