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Investment & Development Overview
The Lake & Co investment team’s sole focus is to ensure that client funds are utilised in the most effective
and efficient manner. This process starts with us gaining a full understanding of the client’s requirements. As
well as the yield or capital gain factors, there are a raft of other drivers such as asset class, location,
timeframes, risk tolerances etc. By spending a little time with you and by knowing which questions to ask,
we can quickly get a sense of the types of deal that are likely to meet your requirements.
We then look to source a range of options, the number and nature of which will depend on the criteria in
place. Typically, our investment deals are secured off-market through our range of contacts such as
property-owners, surveyors, lawyers and bankers, as well as opportunities found through our own private
research. The key advantage of buying off-market is that bidding wars are usually avoided and the
transaction is more controllable and therefore less likely to result in failure.
We take a systematic and analytical approach to our investment analysis and this is reflected in the way in
which we present our projects. This means focusing not only on maximising returns in isolation, but
achieving the ideal combination of risk and return. Particularly in the current uncertain economic climate,
too often emphasis is placed on the returns side of the equation without enough attention being paid to the
associated risk. One of the factors that differentiates us from the crowd, is that we will often recommend a
client to pass on an opportunity if all the factors are not exactly right for them. This comes from a desire to
treat client money as if it were our own and a confidence borne from our proven track record that we will be
able to source a deal that better matches the stated requirements.

Our investment appraisals contain detailed project proposals, further possible opportunities, comprehensive
financial analysis documenting key triggers and sensitivities, comparable evidence for both purchase price
and exit values, and a spotlight on the risks involved. The purpose of this is to allow a client to have a full and
concise understanding of the project.

Should you wish to proceed with one or some of the possible options, we would begin the delicate process
of negotiation. We are highly experienced in property transactions, both from a sale and purchasing
perspective, and so maintain a precise balance of securing the property on the most favourable terms and
minimising the possibility of losing the deal. Once terms are agreed, we would act as the main contact during
the transaction and apply the correct pressure at the right time to reduce delays or sticking-points. This is
particularly important when there is no sales agent acting for the other side as, much like a flock of sheep,
transactions will wander and meander without a shepherd in charge!
Should it be required, we are able to recommend a full range of professionals from solicitors, surveyors,
bankers, insurers etc. Our years of dealing with experts within the industry allows us to focus on using the
right person for the specific task rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Once a purchase is completed, our role as search agent comes to an end. It is then your choice whether to
retain us as asset managers and employ us to seek the relevant planning permissions, freeholder consents,
manage any construction, reorganise leases, or to do any of the other hundreds of tasks which may be
associated with an investment purchase.