Optimizing cash management in real estate

The real estate sector is complex in terms of cash management: it requires significant investment and its revenues depend largely on macroeconomic factors that are difficult to predict. In this article, we will look at solutions for dealing with these unique cash management challenges.

Real estate: key points to remember about cash management

Cash management is a critical issue in the real estate sector, which is characterized by heavy investment, long cycles, and high exposure to macroeconomic factors. Tensions arise from a structural mismatch between capital committed, cash flow timing, and market uncertainty:
Massive gap between investment and income with capital mobilized very early on
Complexity of cash flows (investments, staggered disbursements, variable rental income)
High dependence on the macroeconomic context (interest rates, rental market, taxation)
Limited financial visibility per program without individualized reading of transactions
Fygr enables real estate players to secure their cash flow and investments by providing a clear, segmented, and forward-looking view of financial flows.

The specific challenges of cash flow in real estate

Why is cash management particularly difficult for companies in the real estate sector? We have identified three major issues.

Massive time lag between investment and revenue generation

The real estate sector is characterized by extremely long and costly investment cycles, where the initial financial commitment is considerable, while the return on investment is spread over several years.

A real estate developer or investor must raise significant capital for the construction or acquisition of a property, with no guarantee of immediate income.

This lag creates constant pressure on cash flow, as the company must finance significant costs—studies, land, construction, permits—well before it can generate rental or sales income.

Multiplicity and complexity of financial flows

Real estate is characterized by the diversity and complexity of its financial flows, making cash flow management particularly challenging.

A real estate project involves simultaneous investment, construction, rental, and potentially resale cash flows, each with its own timing and risks.

Successive calls for funds, staggered disbursements, variable rental income, and potential capital gains create an extremely volatile financial environment that is difficult to anticipate.

Volatility and dependence on macroeconomic conditions

The real estate sector is intrinsically linked to macroeconomic conditions, which generates significant cash flow volatility.

Changes in interest rates, rental market conditions, tax regulations, and economic cycles can instantly alter a project's profitability.

This dependence creates constant uncertainty, where the ability to anticipate and adapt becomes crucial to maintaining the company's financial stability.
BEST PRACTICES

Best practices for cash management in real estate

Segment and accurately track financial flows by program

Financial management in real estate requires an ultra-granular approach where each real estate program must be monitored individually. This practice involves creating comprehensive traceability of investments, providing a very precise understanding of the profitability of each project. By meticulously breaking down construction costs, financing, rental income, and potential capital gains, developers can manage their operations with complete transparency. This segmentation provides a dynamic overview that allows for quick arbitration between different programs, identification of the best performers, and strategic reallocation of financial resources.

Building multi-parameter financial simulations

Real estate is a complex sector where the ability to plan and anticipate is a major competitive advantage. Successful companies develop financial simulation capabilities that integrate multiple economic variables such as interest rates, changes in the rental market, and potential regulatory changes. These projections must incorporate several scenarios (optimistic, median, pessimistic) to provide a robust forward-looking view. The goal is to have a forecast map that allows for continuous adjustment of the investment strategy and minimizes the financial risks inherent in the sector.

Develop a proactive approach to financial risk management

Financial resilience in real estate relies on constantly anticipating potential cash flow pressures. This practice involves setting up permanent monitoring mechanisms for revenue cycles, cash flow delays, and financing needs. It involves creating dynamic dashboards that can quickly detect weak signals of financial fragility. Building cash reserves, diversifying funding sources, and proactively negotiating additional lines of credit are integral parts of this risk management strategy.
CHOOSE FYGR

Why use Fygr in the real estate sector?

The solution for optimizing your cash flow management in real estate: use Fygr. We offer a cash flow management solution that is particularly well suited to the real estate sector.
GOOD REASON #1

Real estate banking synchronization

Centralize and automate the financial traceability of your real estate programs
Detailed tracking of cash flows by program (construction, leasing, investment)
Automatic categorization of real estate-specific expenses
Full traceability of investments and rental income
GOOD REASON #2

Real Estate Cash Flow Forecasts

Simulate and anticipate the financial performance of your programs
Modeling of financing plans according to different scenarios
Dynamic projection of rental income by asset type
Simulation of the impacts of real estate market fluctuations
GOOD REASON #3

Real Estate Financial Dashboard

Accurately measure the performance of each investment
Early detection of budget deviations by program
Comparative assessment of asset profitability
Customized reporting by property type

They chose Fygr

Here's what some of our customers have to say after choosing Fygr to visualize their financial data:
FYGR is a simple and intuitive solution for managing and controlling your cash flow. Bank integration is quick and bug-free—in short, I recommend it 100%.
Jean-Baptiste Mignot de Bresc
Founder and CEO @ Green Partners Real Estate
I use Fygr to get a clearer picture of my cash flow, and as a startup, it makes a real difference. The tool is simple and intuitive—I highly recommend it!
Thomas Sadoul
Co-founder @ Cocoon-Immo
Alexia, the sales representative at FYGR, is really attentive and helpful. For once, I have a software provider who isn't just there to sell, but who cares about the user experience. I highly recommend them!
Sebastian Theophilus
Executive @ Green Energy
FAQ

Everything you need to know about cash management for a real estate company

Answers to the questions you ask us most often.
How to choose cash management software for a real estate company?
To choose the right software, identify your specific needs: volume of real estate programs, number of simultaneous projects, complexity of financial flows. Choose a solution that offers accurate investment tracking, multi-program management, and financial simulation features. Check the software's ability to handle specific real estate tax issues and ensure that it allows for detailed tracking of different real estate assets.
What are the advantages of cash management software over Excel for a real estate developer?
Cash management software offers complete automation of complex real estate processes, significantly reducing the risk of error. Unlike Excel, it allows real-time monitoring of programs, dynamic projection of rental income, and accurate analysis of profitability per project. Automatic bank synchronization and specific tax calculations (real estate VAT, depreciation) are major advantages for professionals in the sector.
How can you make reliable cash flow forecasts in real estate?
To make robust forecasts, collect detailed historical data on your real estate programs. Carefully analyze investment cycles, construction periods, and potential rental income. Include all specific costs (permits, building standards, marketing expenses) and anticipate market scenarios. Use multi-criteria simulations that take into account the volatility of the real estate market and regularly update your projections.
How long does it take to set up cash management software for a real estate developer?
Setup time varies depending on the complexity of your real estate portfolio, generally ranging from a few weeks to two months. The process involves integrating historical data, configuring the various programs, and synchronizing bank accounts. The implementation phase requires close collaboration between your financial teams and the software publisher to ensure optimal configuration.
How much does cash management software cost for a real estate company?
Prices vary significantly depending on the size of your company and the complexity of your programs. For an average real estate company, expect to pay between €200 and €1,000 per month, with options that can be adjusted based on the number of projects and bank accounts to be monitored. The investment should be considered a strategic tool for financial optimization.
Who are the competitors in the real estate cash flow software market?
The main competitors include Agicap and more generalist solutions. Fygr stands out for its value for money, flexibility, unique specialization in cash management, and intuitiveness.
How do I know if my real estate business needs cash management software?
Your company needs such a tool if you manage several programs simultaneously, if you encounter difficulties with financial forecasting, or if you lack visibility on the profitability of your various assets. This is particularly relevant if your real estate portfolio exceeds €1 million.