Kingston-based real estate brokerage different Capital has announced that it has secured a realtor license, marking a pivotal step in its business model to open up access to investment properties in the Caribbean.

“We’ve got it, it’s different, it’s official,” Gary Matalon, different Capital Deputy CEO, said via a video release making the announcement. “We’re looking to bring you the most attractive real estate investment opportunities around the Caribbean.”

The company allows retail investors to buy shares in a single commercial property. Co-founded by Matalon and financier Christopher Williams, it had been awaiting approval of its real estate brokerage license ahead of a plan to raise US$6 million ($960 million). The capital will finance the acquisition of a commercial property — a plaza — that the firm intends to list as a standalone public company, fractionalising the entity into shares for small investors.

According to Matalon, one of the company’s key strategic objectives is to sell as much as 50 per cent of its inventory to the diaspora.

“So we’re looking to build out our realtor force in areas like Broward [County], Dade [County], Atlanta, New York, London, Birmingham, Canada, Toronto,” Matalon said, adding “So be ready for great investment opportunities.”

Speaking at a conference in Miami last month, Williams encouraged persons across the region to consider real estate investment for strong returns while hedging against inflation, arguing that the standard deviation for real estate – the price/return volatility – is the lowest of all asset classes.

“We’ve looked at all the different asset classes and I think the real estate market is where I’d like to encourage others to take a deep and hard look,” Williams said.

He noted that there are a number of different ways to participate in the real estate market outside of solely buying properties outright. That, he said, includes participating as part of a consortium.

“That gives you the ability to diversify in several different real estate opportunities and also allows you to to participate without leverage,” he said.