Body Corporate Investment Categories
We also work off the sinking funds’ depreciation schedule at Solace Financial, which allows us to manage and plan for the maintenance and replacement of common property assets effectively.
We break this down into three different categories, each of which has different return objectives and risks.
Short Term Expenses
Short term expenses relate to any expenses that are due within five years, such as routine repairs, landscaping services, or insurance premiums.
We keep things very safe here, aiming for a return of +2% over a rolling 2-year period across an investment mix that is typically 80% fixed interest and 20% shares.
Medium Term Expenses
Medium term expenses relate to anything due within 5-10 years. This typically includes planned maintenance and upgrades of common property assets, such as lifts, roofs, and shared amenities.
We use moderate investing for medium term expenses, aiming for a return of inflation +4% over a rolling 5-year period with a mix of 40% fixed interest and 60% shares.
Longer Term Expenses
Longer term expenses relate to any expenses due in more than 10 years, including major repairs, renovations, or replacements of infrastructure. The aim with this is to get a return of inflation +5.5% over a rolling 7-year period, and the mix is usually 100% shares.
Planning for these expenses is a little more intricate and involves sinking funds, conducting regular assessments of asset condition and lifespan, and implementing strategic financial management practices to ensure the ongoing viability and value of the body corporate’s investments.