Industry Insights
Mar 25, 2024

How Coliving is Shaping the Future of Real Estate: Insights from Our Recent Webinar

Discover the evolving landscape of coliving, its challenges, opportunities, and the role of blockchain in revolutionizing real estate investments. Dive into the core discussions and audience Q&A

How Coliving is Shaping the Future of Real Estate: Insights from Our Recent Webinar

Insights from Our Webinar: The Future of Real Estate through Coliving

On March 20th, 2024, Portio Capital launched its webinar series with "How Coliving is Shaping the Future of Real Estate," drawing over 35 participants keen on exploring coliving's evolution and its interplay with real estate tokenization. The session, led by industry experts Pascal De Keyser and Bart, delved into how blockchain technology is revolutionizing investment opportunities and redefining community living for the 21st century.

Up Next in Our Blog:

  1. Core Discussions - A deep dive into the webinar's key conversations around coliving's current state and future.
  2. Audience Q&A - A summary of the insightful questions posed by our audience and the discussions they sparked.
  3. Download the Webinar - Information on how to access the full webinar for a comprehensive understanding of the discussed topics.

Embarking on an exploration of "Core Discussions" reveals the profound insights shared during our webinar on "How Coliving is Shaping the Future of Real Estate." The session meticulously dissected the multifaceted world of coliving, emphasizing its evolution, challenges, and the bright prospects ahead. With industry experts Pascal De Keyser and Bart leading the dialogue, participants gained a holistic view of coliving's current landscape and its transformative potential in real estate.

The Evolution of Coliving

The conversation commenced with a historical overview, tracing coliving's ascent from a niche lifestyle choice to a mainstream housing solution. This growth trajectory was attributed to changing societal norms, including the rise of digital nomadism and the millennial quest for flexibility, community, and sustainability. Coliving's evolution, as highlighted by the speakers, is not merely about shared living spaces but a reimagined approach to urban dwelling that prioritizes connectivity and collective experiences.

Addressing Modern Housing Challenges

A significant portion of the discussion underscored coliving's response to the global housing affordability crisis. With urban populations soaring, traditional housing models have struggled to provide affordable, quality living solutions. Coliving, with its efficient use of space and shared resources, emerged as a compelling answer to this dilemma. The speakers illustrated how coliving developments offer not just a bed and a roof, but a fully-fledged community, complete with amenities and services that cater to the modern urbanite's needs.

The Intersection of Coliving and Technology

A pivotal theme of the webinar was the synergy between coliving and technological advancements, particularly blockchain. Pascal De Keyser elucidated how blockchain technology enables real estate tokenization, thus democratizing property investment and management. This innovation allows individuals to invest in real estate with lower entry barriers, fostering a more inclusive market. The transparent, secure nature of blockchain also enhances trust among investors, a critical factor in the scalability of Coliving Ventures.

Coliving's Market Dynamics and Future Outlook

The dialogue transitioned to a comprehensive analysis of coliving's market dynamics. Bart shared insights into the demand drivers for coliving spaces, including the escalating desire for social connectivity and the shifting preferences of Gen Z and millennials. He also touched upon the operational models of coliving spaces, highlighting the balance between privacy and community engagement as a key factor in their design and success.

Looking ahead, the conversation veered into the future of coliving, painted with optimism by the speakers. The projected growth of the coliving sector is buoyed by continual urbanization, the digital economy's expansion, and evolving lifestyle aspirations. The speakers envisioned a future where coliving developments are not just urban phenomena but integral components of suburban and rural landscapes, adapting to the diverse needs of various demographics.

Sustainability and Social Impact

A noteworthy discussion centered on the sustainability and social impact of coliving. The webinar underscored coliving's role in promoting greener living practices through shared resources and environmentally conscious designs. Moreover, coliving's community-centric ethos was praised for its potential to combat urban loneliness and foster meaningful connections, contributing to the residents' overall well-being.

Challenges and Opportunities

No exploration of coliving's landscape would be complete without addressing the challenges it faces. Regulatory hurdles, scalability concerns, and the need for continuous innovation were among the issues discussed. Yet, these challenges were also seen as opportunities for stakeholders to collaborate, refine business models, and advocate for policies that support coliving's growth and sustainability.

Audience Q&A: Engaging Insights from Our Webinar

Q1: What is the management fee for the services?

A: Management fees vary by country and the type of operator we partner with. Our approach is operator-agnostic, focusing on quality projects and opportunities. Fees and management structures might differ, ranging from master leases to management agreements, reflecting the diverse and fragmented nature of the industry.

Q2: Can you provide insights into your current opportunities and strategies for co-investing?

A: Currently, we're exploring five strong leads for potential co-investing, aiming to buy in initially at 25 to 50% of the rolling EBITDA scheme. Our strategy involves seeking turnkey solutions with a clear go-to-market strategy, ensuring quality and alignment with our vision. Our total pipeline exceeds these five opportunities, underlining our commitment to diligence and quality in our projects.

Q3: How are you addressing the legal aspects of tokenization in Europe, especially concerning MICA?

A: We anticipate MICA to come into effect by the end of 2024, classifying tokens as digital securities. This harmonization will offer more unified legal structures across Europe, facilitating cross-border transactions and increasing trust in tokenized assets. Our operations and compliance are designed to align with MICA requirements, ensuring legal clarity and security for our investments.

Q4: Will tokens have any voting rights attached to them?

A: Our vision is to democratize investment, and ideally, tokens would have voting rights, especially in cases where residents might invest or buy out existing investors. However, discussions with co-investors are ongoing, and while not all are open to granting voting rights, our strategy and mission advocate for this level of investor involvement and democracy.

Q5: Can you clarify the classification of tokens as security tokens?

A: Yes, the tokens we deal with are classified as security tokens because they represent a share of a legal entity, thus falling under the classification of digital securities. This clarity in classification helps in ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and enhancing investor trust in our tokenized real estate ventures.

Download the Webinar's whole discussion

For those eager to dive deeper into the transformative discussion on how coliving is shaping the future of real estate, we invite you to download the full webinar. Access a comprehensive understanding of all topics covered, including expert insights, innovative strategies, and engaging audience questions, by visiting our dedicated page. The entire session is available for download at https://www.portio.capital/webinar/coliving-shaping-the-future-of-real-estate.

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your knowledge on coliving's impact on real estate, blockchain technology's role in investment, and much more.

Pascal De Keyser

Founder & Managing Director

About the author.

Pascal is a dynamic entrepreneur and seasoned financial expert, currently leading as the Founder & CEO of Portio.co