Acquisition guides
Practical guides to sourcing and introductions
Four short working guides that explain how we approach the main stages of a sourcing enquiry. They describe process and information, not market conditions, tax, licensing or legal structure, which are matters for your own advisers.
Writing an acquisition brief
A brief is a short written statement of what you want to buy. It lets opportunities be ruled in or out quickly.
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- 01
State the purpose
One or two sentences on why you are buying: to operate, to hold for income, to reposition, or to add to an existing holding.
- 02
Set the boundaries
Markets, property types, size band and the condition you can accept. Indicate a budget range; it is used to filter, not shared without permission.
- 03
List the exclusions
What would rule a property out. Exclusions save more time than preferences.
- 04
Explain how you can buy
Whether you can acquire property, a company that owns it, or both, and whether you can work with existing operators or tenants.
- 05
Agree confidentiality
Who may be told your identity, at what point, and what can be said about you before then.
Assessing hotel information
How to read the first information on a hotel so the right questions reach your advisers early.
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- 01
Identify the operating model
Is the hotel trading or offered empty? Is it owner-run, managed by an operator, franchised to a brand, or leased?
- 02
Check what transfers
Which agreements, staff and bookings would continue after a sale, and for how long.
- 03
Read trading information in context
Ask for the period covered, who prepared it and whether seasonal closures apply. Treat seller-supplied figures as a starting point for verification.
- 04
Ask about capital works
Recent works, known upcoming works and any brand or operator requirements.
- 05
Pass questions to specialists
Building, legal, operational and financial checks belong to your own qualified advisers.
Reviewing portfolio information
A method for understanding a group of properties before deciding whether it deserves detailed work.
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- 01
Build a single list
One line per property: type, location, size, occupancy and how it is held.
- 02
Look for concentration
Note where value or income depends on one market, tenant, operator or asset.
- 03
Map the information gaps
Mark which properties have full information and which do not, and what the seller can provide.
- 04
Confirm the scope
Whole portfolio, part, or the owning company; and whether assets can be separated.
- 05
Confirm authority
Make sure the authority to discuss a sale covers every property in the group.
How an introduction works
What happens between a first enquiry and two parties speaking directly.
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- 01
Enquiry
A buyer sets out criteria, or an owner or intermediary introduces a property, through the relevant enquiry route.
- 02
Review of initial fit
The property is compared with stated criteria using the information supplied. This is a screening step, not an assessment of value.
- 03
Authority and permission
Ownership or written authority is confirmed, and each side agrees what may be shared and with whom.
- 04
Terms in writing
The basis of any introduction is agreed in writing before identifying details move.
- 05
Introduction
The parties are put in contact and continue with their own advisers. There is no commitment to proceed on either side.
These guides are general information about our process. They are not regulated advice, a valuation, legal advice or due diligence.
Detailed preparation articles
How to Prepare a Hotel Acquisition Brief
The hotel acquisition criteria that make an initial sourcing discussion useful: locations, room count, budget, operating model, condition and timing.
What Information Is Needed to Introduce a Commercial Property?
A commercial property information checklist for owners and intermediaries: authority, location, use, occupancy, lease information, asking terms and confidentiality.
Buying a Property Portfolio: Questions Before an Introduction
A property portfolio acquisition checklist of preliminary questions: asset schedules, concentration, occupancy, available information and transaction scope.
Start with the route that fits.
Buyers can set out their criteria; owners and authorised intermediaries can introduce a property in confidence. Either route begins with a review of initial fit.