Real Estate Investments Service Offering

Portfolio strategy

Based on the specific mandate, the Real Estate Investments team develops an optimal portfolio strategy while taking into account the investor’s investment policies and objectives. The investment horizon and risk/return profile are then established in order to finetune the asset mix. This process also considers financial and ownership structures tailored to the client. The portfolio strategy will then focus on one of the following activities:

• Acquisition
• Disposal
• Development
• Redevelopment or repositioning of real estate assets
• Identifying partners

Advisory services

Because of the expertise and experience of its professionals, Desjardins Asset Management’s Real Estate Investments sector is able to play a key role in any real estate-related activity and offer valuable advice, especially in matters concerning:

• Acquisition of property as owner-occupant
• Participation in the pre-audit process
• Review, supervision and coordination of real estate market evaluation
• Gathering of information on the rental and investment real estate market
• Management of insurable risks
• Revision of real estate evaluations and contesting of property taxes

Management of managers

In each of the mandates they are assigned, the asset managers at Desjardins Asset Management work closely with property managers to establish the best strategies and policies for the properties. Management of real estate operations is examined at quarterly meetings, especially the following aspects:

• Capital investment projects
• Negotiating and signing leases
• Managing the lessee mix
• Service contracts
• Financial statement analysis
• Controlling annual budget variances
• Monitoring environmental aspects

Integrated management of development projects

For large-scale development projects, Desjardins Asset Management’s Real Estate Investments sector offers integrated project management covering the following aspects, among others:

• Identifying partners
• Negotiating agreements
• Developing the ownership structure
• Financial analysis
• Market analysis
• Financing

The Real Estate Investments team can also act as advisors or coordinators in project planning and implementation by:

• Assembling a team of professionals (architects, engineers, consultants, etc.)
• Starting up construction
• Managing the tendering process
• Monitoring construction costs
• Delivering the project