A spring in our step

Today is officially the first day of Spring and Team Octane has certainly got a spring in its step.

We’re only two months into 2019 and completions are already well ahead of target, with developer exit loans flavour of the day at a time when transaction levels are low and developers are finding it harder to shift units.

In fact, we’re so busy across all our divisions that we’ve had to bolster our finance team with the hire of Jonathan Chai. Jonathan started in early Feb and will be working alongside Rob Graham in the Octane engine room. So welcome onboard, JC.

March 1 is St David’s Day, too, and I’m pretty sure more Welsh people than normal will be sporting a daffodil after the thrashing of England last Saturday. Not that, as a Bok, I would enjoy watching England get a hiding, of course.

Anyway, from the Odd Shaped Ball back to business. The February Specialist Lending Event roadshow we did was a roaring success, which bodes well for the Buy to Let Roadshow we are attending in April. 

Before then, of course, it’s MIPIM and Octane will once again be in attendance. Myself and a few others will be out there so if you want to hook up for a chat and a beer (or Rosé) in the spring sun, just drop us a line.

As this is March, it would be remiss of me not to mention the small matter of Brexit, which is due to happen in 29 days time. Our view, very firmly, is that whatever happens in the next month or two (or three, four and five), this categorically isn’t the Global Financial Crisis all over again.

In fact, in this climate of uncertainty, there are no end of opportunities out there for experienced and bold investors. That partly explains why we’re rushed off our feet.

But either way, we’re not panicking and neither are the brokers & #partners who work with us. They’re working at full tilt, too, helping their clients to get the all-important loan facilities in place to realise their projects.

Oh, and one last thing — after the barnstorming success of the inaugural Octane Capital 5-a-side cup last year, we’ll be hosting the second tournament this June. 

Last year Team Octane was under strict orders not to win and so had to gift the Cup to Sirius Property Finance. This year, though, the gloves are off and you’ll see the real Octane - intelligent, agile, fleet of foot and, errr, heavy of shoulder (Matt).

If you missed out last year and want to take part, please get in touch with your BDM for full details.