The syndication structure of any real estate deal is essential to putting together a successful transaction. The reason for this is that the more organized the agreement, the less risk there is that something will go wrong at closing or in future property ownership. While no two deals are exactly alike, and each should be structured with the particular buyers in mind, there are some basic elements that should be found in every deal. A syndication deal is the sale of a percentage interest in a piece of real estate. Syndications are typically used to raise money for buying, building, or rehabbing income-producing property.
While syndication can take a variety of forms, it usually consists of a limited partnership. The general partner in the deal typically is an experienced sponsor or syndicator. They have much experience and knowledge about making money in real estate investing with a history of successful properties under their belt. In addition to their expertise, the general partner will also contribute cash equity to the deal. This means they are most at risk of losing money if something goes wrong with the deal. The limited partners (the investors) will contribute funds but not expertise. They'll take a passive role in running and controlling the syndication, and all of their risks will stem from losing the funds they've invested. Limited partners are protected by being first in line to recoup their investment if something goes wrong. Only after they have recouped their initial investment can the general partner begin receiving distributions.
One of the simplest and most common forms of syndication is known as the straight split. In this deal, an agreement is made between the investors and sponsors on all returns, revenue, and profits from selling the property. The most common splits between limited partners and sponsors are the 70/30 or 80/20 split. This ensures a win-win outcome for all parties allowing everyone to profit on the deal. Other split structures that you may see include:
A distribution waterfall structure is a more complex version of the straight split syndication. In this type, there are multiple classes of partners with different return percentage structures. For instance, one partner might get carried interest at a 20 percent rate over a three-year period, while another gets 15 percent after one year. The general partner often will have their carried interest capped at a specific return on investment, to make sure they are focused on the overall success of the syndication. This also ensures that investors with higher risk tolerance get paid out before those with less risk tolerance. While real estate syndications are not for everyone, those who participate into this investment type can successfully make great returns on their money. Be sure to always do your due diligence and speak to a real estate attorney before signing up for a syndication deal, as you will want to understand all of the possible legal ramifications of your participation in the deal. If you're a syndicator looking for an investment management platform, InvestNext is a program that will enable you to manage the complete lifecycle of your real estate venture. Invest in one place, and effortlessly distribute funds among investors through waterfall calculations or payouts after the completion of your real estate projects. Click the link below to reach out to one of our team members to schedule a demo! https://www.investnext.com/demo/