Specialist property lender ASK Partners has announced that it has successfully facilitated over 45 million in exchanges through its unique secondary market platform, marking a significant milestone for the company. The digital private wealth platform, primarily caters to high-net-worth individuals and family offices, providing an unprecedented liquidity in the realm of real estate debt investment.
The ASK platform delivers a unique investment proposition. It allows investors to customise their portfolios based on their risk appetite and freely trade on the secondary market. To date, the platform has accomplished 174 transactions.
The loans facilitated through the platform predominantly fund planning costs for real estate ventures. Mixed-use/life-science and mixed-use residential buildings are the most favoured investment choices. Although London continues to dominate as the primary investment destination, the Midlands region is also generating interest.
Traditionally, the asset class that ASK's platform services - commercial and residential real estate debt - offered limited choice and liquidity, especially for private investors. However, the platform disrupts this traditional model by providing new levels of flexibility and choice typically only available to institutional investors.
Commenting on achieving the 45 million milestone, Mark Templeman, CIO at ASK, said, "Reaching over 45 million in exchanges is evident of the growing number of investors looking for the greater choice, flexibility and liquidity which our private wealth platform can provide."
Furthermore, Templeman emphasised the need for innovation and integration to disrupt the industry and challenge longstanding practices. He added: "ASK's investment in technology aims to reshape the market. We are committed to developing our digital platform to meet the rising demand from high-net-worth investors for a best-in-class service and the ability to fully manage their portfolio in one place online."
A considerable 71% of the loans provided were used to cover planning costs associated with real estate projects. Mixed-use/life-science projects formed the largest property type, accounting for 24% of investments. This follows the trend of increasing demand for facilities that can accommodate burgeoning sectors. A close second at 23% were mixed-use residential buildings, demonstrating a sustaining demand for UK residential property. London offered the primary location for investment opportunities, making up 85% of the transactions, with the Midlands also seeing relevant market activity.
ASK's private wealth platform not only provides an avenue to invest in property debt but also allows investors to avoid the potentially complex purchase procedures and significant management costs generally associated with direct asset ownership, thereby creating a more accessible and streamlined service for investors.
With a robust digital platform that includes full briefings on loan investment opportunities, an interest calculator and exclusive market insights, ASK is poised to further its impact on property lending. As it continues to invest heavily in its platform further, offering investors a comprehensive digital space to manage their portfolios, it underscores its commitment to reshaping the marketplace.