“An experienced developer knows when a deal is worth pursuing”

The project Hexagon is launching in Malle (photo: existing site) stems from a discreet sale of a property company by Magnus Invest, with the property held within that company. With an area of two hectares, the site in a strategic location along the Antwerpsesteenweg offers Hexagon a great deal of potential.

“We only take on deals we believe in ourselves. The project in Malle is a perfect example of that,” says Wim. “Two brothers contacted us to guide them through the sale of their property company. Once the necessary preparations for the file were complete, we were soon in touch with five interested parties. Hexagon ultimately proved to be the best candidate. Throughout a process like this, we have to make sure that all parties stay on board, both internally and externally. Lawyers are regularly involved too, so that everything is legally sound. Either way, it's always an interesting adventure.”

To provide the necessary confidentiality during a sale of this size, Magnus Invest takes a carefully considered approach: “We have a database of more than 3,000 interested investors who regularly receive our proposals,” says Wim. “These can range from small to very large investments. When we take on a deal, we draw up our own list of potential buyers. Then we systematically look for suitable parties for that deal. They have to sign a Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA), after which they get to see the investment memorandum. Discretion really is the common thread running through our activities.”

“Magnus Invest is one of the few firms that matches sale files with investors in this way. We stay very close to the owner and don't shy away from any challenges,” adds Michel. “We search for the right party in a very targeted way. The result is that the ten most relevant parties in our database get to see the file, instead of hundreds of passers-by or interested parties in a more public, traditional property sale. Belgians are generally rather modest and appreciate a discreet approach when selling their property or property company. Discretion also leaves room to sell a property on the right terms, without pressure from the public or the moment.”

“It's important that we give our clients direction,” says Wim. “Right now we're doing that in the context of the capital gains tax on share sales that is in the pipeline. We gather information and attend seminars so that they can make well-informed decisions about selling their property or property company. As with many things, you have to take action today to secure maximum value tomorrow.”

Magnus Invest always keeps a sharp eye on the property market, where many different factors influence the work of these experts: “Anything involving industrial and semi-industrial property is still performing well today,” explains Michel. “In recent years, interest rates have shot up and down, which had a huge impact. Today the figures remain relatively stable. The market can work with that, and so can our buyers.”

“Property is still seen today as a safe form of investment,” adds Wim. “If you handle it discreetly, protectively, taking the worry off the client's hands and with real expertise, you can mean a lot to the client. These days we increasingly notice that former clients recommend us. That means our approach works and is appreciated. We meet new people every day, so our network keeps growing.”

What Wim and Michel in turn appreciated about working with Hexagon was its pragmatic approach: “An experienced developer like Hexagon can assess risks well and knows when a deal is worth pursuing,” explains Michel. “Hexagon also has an excellent reputation. What you see is what you get. When Jelle or Stijn make a decision, they stick to it.”

Magnus Invest also praises Hexagon's complementarity – something they have themselves: “When a team is made up of people who each have their own qualities and expertise, you always find solutions, both constructively and commercially,” says Michel. “For us, that complementarity was the starting point of Magnus Invest. Wim and I are from different generations and have different professional backgrounds. His strengths lay in tax and finance, while I lived and breathed property and social media marketing. From the start we had two profiles, but three times as many facets. Combine that with the single line of communication between the two of us, and you know the pieces of the puzzle fall into place much faster.”