Unlocking real estate funding and finance: meet our expert John Walsham

Real estate remains an attractive sector for banks and alternative lenders. Whether a developer, investor or landlord, there will be a funding provider ready to step in and provide the capital needed.

It is, however, a funding landscape that continues to face challenges. Higher interest rates, reducing loan-to-value ratios and the length of time it takes to bring a scheme forward are factors that need to be considered.

It pays to have a ‘banking insider’ on your team – and one that brings a holistic view based on the vision, goals and values of business owners and leaders.

Experience

Following a 36-year career as a corporate and commercial banker, latterly leading NatWest’s real estate finance team in London and the South East responsible for over £2bn of lending into the sector, John Walsham brings this insight and expertise to our clients.

John’s career saw him lead a team of experienced bankers working closely with investors, student housing providers, build to rent operators, residential and commercial developers delivering a full range of finance and funding options.

Now at Kreston Reeves, he brings those same insights, together with a phenomenal black book of connections, to the firm’s real estate clients.

Providing you with solutions

It is, he says, about providing the right funding solutions for the right client for the right project. It is about understanding which funder is ‘open for business’, those that despite saying they are ‘open’ are in fact ‘closed for new business’, and how challenger banks and specialist lenders open up new lending opportunities.

“Banking is, despite what many will say, a relationship business,” explains John. “It is important that we build and maintain relationships with funders to help our clients access the very best advice and deals on the market.”

It is, says John, not enough to just understand the lending landscape. To truly add value to Kreston Reeves clients it is important to understand their aspirations, vision and goals – only then can the right funding options be found.

John sits within our specialist Funding Team and works closely with its Corporate Finance practice, bringing clients a completely holistic view of the wide range of funding and financing options.

The team’s reach means its real estate clients can tap into traditional funding routes, equity funding, investment from high-net-worth individuals, and specialist lending such as funding from Homes England.

We have access to an online lending platform where real estate clients looking for less that £500,000 can access the very best deals from a panel of over 100 lenders.

To learn more about how John and how our dedicated Funding team can help your business, contact him today.