Technical Competencies - Level 3 Qs Flashcards

1
Q

How have you illustrated multi-tiered financing arrangements numerically and used this to assess the true cost of finance at each level?

A

As part of my day to day I am not responsible for assessing the true cost of finance at different levels of specific financing arrangements. However, when underwriting new investment opportunities, I liaise with my Finance Director on available capacity and therefore review the total financing costs for the different sources of financing as well as establishing the total equity commitment required. I am aware that the true cost of finance also needs to factor in associated fees and opportunity cost if calculating equity finance. I am aware of the CAPM pricing model where market risk is known and I can therefore calculate what the cost of equity will be.

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2
Q

How have you provided reasoned advice on maximising the viability of a funding situation?

A

I’ve advised on utilising equity financing first when in an uncertain market for a large development project. We can then look to refinance once yields and SONIA swap rates stabilise and therefore we should see a reduction in our interest expense maximising the viability of the opportunity.

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3
Q

How have you provided reasoned advice on maximising the viability of a funding situation?

A

I regularly review investment opportunities and therefore assess funding requirements which I can provide analysis on to present to my Finance Director who is responsible for drawing down funds.

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4
Q

How have you demonstrated your appreciation of the impact of property matters on valuation and funding?

A

In summary, property matters such as market conditions, property characteristics, legal and regulatory factors, and income potential significantly influence property valuations and funding decisions. Accurate property valuations are essential for informing funding decisions, assessing risk, determining loan terms, and optimizing financing structures. I regularly assess site characteristics to derive a yield assumption for my underwrite as well as assessing the BOE base rate changes as this can have a massive impact on funding matters.

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5
Q

How have you demonstrated your understanding of the impact of funding matters on the property market?

A

Funding matters have a significant impact on property. Interest rates have an indirect correlation with property investment given a lot of properties are financed with debt. As the cost of debt increases demand decreases which tends to have a negative impact on the capital value of property. Also, it reduces investor appetite which also has an impact on valuation yields, subsequently impacting the value of the property.

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6
Q

How have you analysed stand alone financing from the outset to drawdown of funds

A

Although I am not responsible for sourcing debt financing, I am responsible for managing and originating a pipeline of assets which feeds into funding requirements and debt financing objectives.

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7
Q

Can you give me an example of when you have offered reasoned advice following the outcome of an inspection?

A

I advised not to pursue an acquisition in North London as after conducting a desktop review of the location and deeming it satisfactory, I noticed when conduting a site inspection there were two silos visible from site that could deter prospective tenants. I tried to see if we could alter the mix and take different plots however this impacted viability. Therefore, I reported my findings back to the client and advised we pursue no further.

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8
Q

When going out on an inspection, what procedures do you follow to inform the office of where you are?

A

I keep my diary updated, showing where I am going and who I am meeting. I always take a mobile phone and check in with a nominated colleague once I leave site.

Adhering to the guidance of Surveying Safely 2nd Edition (2019)

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9
Q

If you were going into an unoccupied building where asbestos may be present – what may you need to
look out for?

A

Asbestos may be within anything. I would look out for signs or stickers indicating that asbestos may be
present. I would also ask for any reports relating to the property such as Asbestos Reports. I would make
reference to these reports within my report.

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10
Q

What due diligence do you carry out prior to an inspection?

A

Research: EPC, flood, council tax, planning, location, amenities nearby

Appointment prep: how to get there, parking, weather, access firm up arrangements and contact details.

Prepare items to take: site notes, floor plans, camera, battery pack, disto and protimeter and spare batteries, pen and paper, charged mobile phone, PPE (if required).

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11
Q

Which areas of the Red Book relate to inspections?

A

VPS 2 and VPGA 8

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12
Q

How have you adopted the recommendations contained within the RICS Surveying Safely in your work?

A

Risk assessment prior to inspection.

Dynamic risk assessment on the day of.

Checked in with occupier on arrival, and on leaving.

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13
Q

What legislation and RICS guidance is there for asbestos?

A

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Control of Asbestos Regs 2012

HSE Codes of Practice

RICS Guidance Note: Asbestos: legal requirements and best practice for property professionals and clients UK 4th edition, May 2021

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14
Q

What is the process for carrying out an inspection?

A

Consider my personal safety, and those for whom I have a duty of care
Inspect the local area
Inspect the property externally
Inspect the property internally

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15
Q

What are the differences between an inherent, a patent and a latent defect? NEED TO FIND EXAMPLES

A

Inherent - always been present, a defect in the design or construction of the building, e.g. misplaced reinforcement.

Patent - a defect that could have reasonably been identified on an inspection, e.g. rising damp.

Latent - a defect that could not have reasonably been identified on an inspection; e.g. problems with the foundations that may not show signs for several years

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16
Q

What are the key principles of HWSA 1974?

A
  1. This legislation covers occupational health and safety in GB.
  2. It sets out the duties of ‘responsible persons’ in regarding to health and safety.
  3. Duty to carry out a risk assessment in common parts.
  4. Working at heights, electrical safety, legionella, COSHH, RIDDOR, Asbestos.
17
Q

Tell me about the Home Survey Standard

A

Effective March 2021

Sets minimum expectations and mandatory requirements

18
Q

Aim of Home Survey Standard?

A
  • Sets clear framework and minimum expectations
  • Mandatory requirements
  • Replace and Harmonise previous publications
19
Q

How do you reflect your letting void?

A

This is formed as part of our gross-to-net calculation or operational leakage. We have a separate sheet listing % assumptions against the income for the likes of voids, bad debt, insurance, management fees, and service charges.

20
Q

What professional fees are normally included in your development appraisal?

A

CDM Regulation Fees
Performance Bond premium
EA Fees
Marketing costs
Legal Fees/Title insurance

21
Q

How do you calculate your contingency rate?

A

We use a standard % assumption of 5%.

22
Q

How have you produced reasoned analysis of risk using appropriate sensitivity analysis?

A
  • I advised on an acquisition in Bristol. The site had strong characteristics fit for the asset profile. Once we had an understanding of pricing requirements I ran sensitivities on the interest rates and PC date. I informed the client of the FAT we had in terms of delivery delays to ensure we still hit our minimum return hurdles. Therefore we pursued the bid at this level of pricing.
22
Q

How do you calculate the GDV?

A

Resi - use the comparable method of valuation to find capital value comps and use this as the basis for my GDV
Comm - Use the comparable method of valuation to compile rental comps and capitalise this at an appropriate market yield.

22
Q

How do you account for planning costs?

A

This is factored into our total build costs - we put this burden onto the developer as we work towards a fixed D&B contract.

22
Q

What is normally factored into professional fees in a development appraisal?

A
  • Architects
  • CDM Consultant
  • M&E consultant
  • Structural engineers
  • Environmental consultant
  • Project manager
22
Q

Where does the information provided by BCIS come from?

A
22
Q

How have you advised on appropriate sources of development finance?

A

Working in a fund, we have various financing facility’s which we can access capital from. Some of which are RCLs and we will never take on a project if we fear we do not have enough available financing to complete. I can advise on which facility to use based on the terms provided or whether they may be less stringent regarding the CP requirements however I do not advise on types of development finance. I am aware of various other products that are common in development, such as bridging loans or venture capital.

22
Q
A
22
Q

How do you use development appraisals to advise on acquisition or disposal of sites?

A

As I am an acquisition analyst, I am responsible for running development appraisals and assessing the expected returns in order to advise on an acquisition, whilst taking into account other factors. However, I did also advise against not pursuing an acquisition after running sensitivities on our standard special assumption for our lease up rate. The viability dramatically declined in a downside scenario so I advised we do not pursue the acquisition.

22
Q

Have you ever inspected tenanted properties?

A

Not with a residential tenant occupying the unit. I have inspected a residential BtR block and inspected the condition of the commercial unit while occupied. I would not inspect an occupied residential unit unless I had been provided with authorisation to enter via the tenant or the site/building manager.

22
Q

How did you review the loan term sheet? What would you typically see on a standard term sheet?

A

Reviewed the terms to get a perspective of the impact it would have on the fund via updating the model. As well as pricing on new assets.

You would typically see an outline of the parties, the terms and fees of the facility agreement, costs and expenses, conditions of utilisations, interest periods, indemnity and guarantees.

22
Q

How did you “establish the facts” when reviewing the development opportunity in Bristol?

-

A

Established the stage, purpose, charactericstics, and special assumptions for my valuation of the development.

22
Q

When you say you advised the client on a worse case scenario, what do you mean?

A

I outlined to the client the investment returns based on this position via interest rate sensitivity analysis as market sentiment was volatile at the time. Hence, why I also suggested we utilise the facility with the most favourable terms in case we needed to push pricing further. Hopefully countering the impact to returns from increasing pricing. These favourable terms consisted of lower

22
Q

What other legislation should you be aware of in your industry?

A

Landlord and tenat act 1985
Housing Act 2004
Town and country planning act 1990
EPC
GDPR
Anti Corruption and Bribery Act
Building safety act and fire safety order
HMO Licensing