Under rapidly changing market conditions, asset management has become increasingly prominent. Why? The three central pillars of real estate companies are investment, financing, and asset management. The performance of these three foundational elements is further enhanced when supported by marketing, communication, and brand expertise.
Investment and financing face significantly more complex challenges.
Investment and financing are under more pressure than they have been in years. The era of low interest rates is over, making financing significantly more complex. Meanwhile, in 2024, there is often no consensus on property prices, leading to a stalemate where sellers and buyers have conflicting price expectations. As a result, transactions are happening much less frequently than in the past.
Last Man Standing: Asset Management. Under these conditions, professional asset preservation and development have become crucial. While the past decades were characterized by growth and expansion, the current key feature of real estate companies is optimizing properties to create value even during periods of apparent stagnation.
This is what we mean by professional asset management
As a consulting unit for the investment team, asset management plays a crucial role right from the acquisition phase. With its technical expertise, it assesses the value and potential of properties in advance, contributing to the company’s success from an early stage.
Once acquired properties are integrated into the portfolio, companies with an asset management team that combines experience with fresh ideas are at a clear advantage. André Bruchmann, Managing Director of Asset Management at MÄHREN AG, explains: “The housing industry and all related commercial and technical management processes have evolved significantly over the past 20 years. Recently, there have been increasing demands regarding housing policy regulations and new energy efficiency targets.”
Investment and financing face significantly more complex challenges.
Investment and financing are under more pressure than they have been in years. The era of low interest rates is over, making financing significantly more complex. Meanwhile, in 2024, there is often no consensus on property prices, leading to a stalemate where sellers and buyers have conflicting price expectations. As a result, transactions are happening much less frequently than in the past.
Last Man Standing: Asset Management. Under these conditions, professional asset preservation and development have become crucial. While the past decades were characterized by growth and expansion, the current key feature of real estate companies is optimizing properties to create value even during periods of apparent stagnation.
Managing Director MÄHREN AG Asset Management
"Professionalism, Collaboration, and Digitalization."
The more professionally the team is organized and the more colleagues continuously evolve to meet future demands, the greater the potential for value creation.
A foundation and key to success: optimal collaboration with property management companies. Bruchmann states, “We rely on a unified communication and reporting structure, which we have consistently developed and enhanced digitally with our partners over the past years. This includes, among other things, a shared data system and a standardized regular meeting system to reduce email overload and keep the focus on what matters.”
Managing Director MÄHREN AG Asset Management
"Professionalism, Collaboration, and Digitalization."
The more professionally the team is organized and the more colleagues continuously evolve to meet future demands, the greater the potential for value creation.
A foundation and key to success: optimal collaboration with property management companies. Bruchmann states, “We rely on a unified communication and reporting structure, which we have consistently developed and enhanced digitally with our partners over the past years. This includes, among other things, a shared data system and a standardized regular meeting system to reduce email overload and keep the focus on what matters.”
Our Asset Management Goals
The prompt and sustained provision of housing with short vacancy periods for new rentals, the activation of undeveloped spaces, such as attics, and the creation of new, additional living space – keyword infill development – are the foundations of successful asset management.
Bruchmann: “Through maintenance and further development of the building fabric, we preserve and enhance property value while providing tenants with modernized living spaces. It is crucial to build and maintain a well-functioning partner network, particularly in the areas of craftsmanship and maintenance. A key element of our strategy is the 100% integration of our construction department within the company, which closely coordinates all construction measures with asset management.
Furthermore, we ensure proper management and value preservation of our residential properties by maintaining and increasing rental income while adhering to rental laws.”
The Goals of Our Asset Management
The prompt and sustained provision of housing with short vacancy periods for new rentals, the activation of undeveloped spaces, such as attics, and the creation of new, additional living space – keyword infill development – are the foundations of successful asset management.
Bruchmann: “Through maintenance and further development of the building fabric, we preserve and enhance property value while providing tenants with modernized living spaces. It is crucial to build and maintain a well-functioning partner network, particularly in the areas of craftsmanship and maintenance. A key element of our strategy is the 100% integration of our construction department within the company, which closely coordinates all construction measures with asset management.
Furthermore, we ensure proper management and value preservation of our residential properties by maintaining and increasing rental income while adhering to rental laws.”
How can value increases be achieved?
First, a comprehensive inventory assessment and analysis is necessary. Existing areas and potential for expansion must be thoroughly examined. Together with a site and market research, we then plan development measures. Effective communication with all stakeholders, such as tenants, neighboring properties, businesses, or authorities, is key to success. Following the motto “communication is everything,” we align various perspectives in advance, thus avoiding lengthy planning phases. The right steps for the development of the property portfolio can then be implemented in the form of meaningful measures to increase the value of the properties. Only with a lot of experience, new approaches, local relevance, appreciation, and foresight can properties be managed in a way that satisfies both tenants and owners, thereby achieving value increases.
Our approach: think outside the box. Try new things. In addition to familiar and common measures such as covered bicycle parking spaces or car parking spaces, we also focus on installing package delivery boxes or ATMs directly on the property, creating tenant gardens, or converting underground parking spaces into practical car wash stations.
Managing Director MÄHREN AG Asset Management
Managing Director MÄHREN AG Asset Management
How can value increases be achieved
First, a comprehensive inventory assessment and analysis is necessary. Existing areas and potential for expansion must be thoroughly examined. Together with a site and market research, we then plan development measures. Effective communication with all stakeholders, such as tenants, neighboring properties, businesses, or authorities, is key to success. Following the motto “communication is everything,” we align various perspectives in advance, thus avoiding lengthy planning phases. The right steps for the development of the property portfolio can then be implemented in the form of meaningful measures to increase the value of the properties. Only with a lot of experience, new approaches, local relevance, appreciation, and foresight can properties be managed in a way that satisfies both tenants and owners, thereby achieving value increases.
Our approach: think outside the box. Try new things. In addition to familiar and common measures such as covered bicycle parking spaces or car parking spaces, we also focus on installing package delivery boxes or ATMs directly on the property, creating tenant gardens, or converting underground parking spaces into practical car wash stations
Asset development in dense, urban areas
Effective asset management is particularly crucial in densely populated urban areas. Here, both tenants and businesses benefit from a well-planned property development.
The energy component
In construction measures, we increasingly ask: How can we develop the property energetically? What measures are possible to improve energy efficiency? As an asset manager, one now considers how property development can simultaneously improve tenants’ living conditions, increase property value, and reduce the carbon footprint.
Asset development in dense, urban areas
Effective asset management is particularly crucial in densely populated urban areas. Here, both tenants and businesses benefit from a well-planned property development.
The energy component
In construction measures, we increasingly ask: How can we develop the property energetically? What measures are possible to improve energy efficiency? As an asset manager, one now considers how property development can simultaneously improve tenants’ living conditions, increase property value, and reduce the carbon footprint.
Win-Win: Tenants and Landlords with Shared Goals
We regularly communicate with tenants. Unhappy tenants tend to move out, leading to turnover, vacancies, and rental income loss. We engage with both residential and commercial tenants about even the small details to address issues promptly and effectively.
We ask ourselves: What can we do to improve the residential or commercial situation for tenants while simultaneously enhancing the property’s value through thoughtful asset development? We listen and ensure that the rented space functions effectively over the long term.
In the commercial sector, we evaluate how well a new tenant fits into the neighborhood. Is it a specialty retailer, a social institution, office space, services, or a restaurant that’s needed? Does the commercial tenant offer valuable local services and fit into the environment? Only in this way can we ensure the success of the business and a long-term lease.
Managing Director MÄHREN AG Asset Management
What can we generally do for tenants?
Consistent housing quality, functioning building technology, reliable contacts, and a responsive property management team should be the foundation of any real estate company. In relevant areas, we also implement a proven security and vandalism prevention concept to ensure tenant safety.
How are the market advantages of MÄHREN AG created?
Dennis Rekittke, COO of MÄHREN AG: “We see the insourcing model as a competitive advantage: The business areas of Investment, Asset Management, and Construction work as a unified team under the MÄHREN AG roof towards jointly defined goals.” This creates short and fast decision-making processes, a clear, shared understanding of the objectives of our business activities, targeted and efficient budget allocation, and a shared identification with our properties: “We know our buildings and residential complexes.” “Additionally, for several years we have been focusing on the consistent digitalization of many of our internal processes and those with service providers. This allows us smoother processes, reduced error rates, time savings, and cost reductions.”
Dennis Rekittke,
COO MÄHREN AG
„We talk to tenants. Unsatisfied tenants move out and cause vacancies.“
Managing Director MÄHREN AG Asset Management
What can we generally do for tenants?
Consistent housing quality, functioning building technology, reliable contacts, and a responsive property management team should be the foundation of any real estate company. In relevant areas, we also implement a proven security and vandalism prevention concept to ensure tenant safety.
“We rely on synergies through optimally networked in-house teams and ongoing digitalization.”
COO MÄHREN AG
How are the market advantages of MÄHREN AG created?
Dennis Rekittke, COO of MÄHREN AG: “We see the insourcing model as a competitive advantage: The business areas of Investment, Asset Management, and Construction work as a unified team under the MÄHREN AG roof towards jointly defined goals.” This creates short and fast decision-making processes, a clear, shared understanding of the objectives of our business activities, targeted and efficient budget allocation, and a shared identification with our properties: “We know our buildings and residential complexes.” “Additionally, for several years we have been focusing on the consistent digitalization of many of our internal processes and those with service providers. This allows us smoother processes, reduced error rates, time savings, and cost reductions.”
What our Business Partners say
