Investor Models & Returns — How We Structure Deals to Protect Capital and Deliver Growth

From Blueprint to Bottom Line — How Oxfordshire Delivers Returns for Smart Capital

Oxford’s skyline might be centuries old, but its property investment model can be thoroughly modern — if it’s structured right.

In this final article in our 6-part series, we break down how OLD-Homes structures deals for private investors, how we mitigate risk while aiming for strong returns, and why Oxfordshire’s local dynamics align perfectly with our model.

1. The Basics: What We Offer Investors

At OLD-Homes, we design investments that are typically:

• Short- to mid-term (6 to 24 months)

• Backed by real property projects (land, property, legal structures)

• Targeting 8-20% IRR, depending on structure

We typically offer:

• Loan Notes: Fixed return, secured against multiple projects to diversify risk

• Preferred Equity: Shares in the project with profit priority over the developer

Plain English version:

• Loan Note = “lend us the capital, we give you interest + security”

• Preferred Equity = “partner with us, share in the upside — and you still get paid before we do”

2. How Returns Are Created — Not Just Promised

We don’t rely on market speculation or riding a bubble. Our returns come from value creation, not market hope:

• Planning Gain: Buy unconsented land following detailed risk assessment, get planning, increase value

• Refurb & Conversion: Improve use, design, or density of existing assets

• Exit Strategy: Sell, refinance, or rent or lease based on demand and asset type

Example:

• A property bought for £600,000

• £200,000 spent on conversion into family home

• GDV post-works = £1.2M

• Exit profit = £400,000+ before finance costs

When we share that upside, investors win — and with security in place, their capital is protected.

3. Security: How We Protect Investor Capital

This is key. Every investor wants returns — but not at the cost of unnecessary risk. Our approach is:

• Project-specific SPVs: Each investment is ring-fenced

• Legal charges: Lenders get first charge on the asset or land

• Fixed returns or priority payouts: You’re ahead of the developer in the waterfall of payments

• Transparent documentation: Loan agreements, security instruments, and reporting

We structure deals the way we would want to be invested — because we co-invest in every project ourselves.

4. Why Oxfordshire Works for This Model

Everything we’ve discussed in this series — demand, planning constraint, innovation economy, housing need — feeds into our financial model.

• Limited supply = exit value support

• Strong tenant base = rental fallback if sales slow (or the income coverage makes retention work)

• Underserved market segments = better risk-adjusted margins

In short: we’re not reliant on speculative growth. We’re delivering real products to real demand — and that’s what supports real returns.

5. What an Investment Journey Looks Like (Step by Step)

• We get to know each other: Informally and formally, check what we both want fits and compliant process

• Choose a structure: Fixed return (loan note) or profit share (equity)

• Review investment pack: Project summary, financials, timeline

• Sign legal documents: Loan agreement or equity terms, security docs

• Deploy funds: Clearly defined process to account for that specific use of funds 

• Receive updates: Monthly or quarterly reporting

• Exit: Capital + return paid out after sale or refinance

Investments can be made via personal funds, company capital, or SSAS pensions.

We’re fully transparent — and always available to answer investor questions directly.

6. The Bottom Line — Why Investors Choose OLD-Homes

Our model is built for:

• Capital preservation first — with asset-backed deals or across multiple live projects 

• Clear, time-bound returns — so you know your capital’s working

• Aligned interests — we only get paid after you do and we do the work to achieve this 

We believe property should be productive — not passive. That means capital goes to work, unlocks housing, and produces real outcomes.

You don’t need to wait 5 years for returns — or speculate on future tech valuations. You can invest in something real, right now, in one of the UK’s most resilient regional markets.

Call to Action

Want to review our current live opportunities?
Request a Deal Teaser Pack or book a confidential investor call and see what real Oxfordshire deals look like from the inside.

Thanks for reading the full series.
If you’d like a full investor PDF containing all 6 articles plus project snapshots and case studies, get in touch. We’ll send it over with no obligation.