Developers are navigating one of the most unpredictable property markets in decades.
Rising costs, shifting buyer demand, and tighter financing conditions are forcing teams to rethink how they assess feasibility and manage risk - and proven, data-driven platforms like Argus EstateMaster, trusted by the industry for over 30 years, are more essential than ever.
Developed by Altus Group, the platform is used by more than 20,000 developers, private and institutional lenders and government bodies in 75 countries to model scenarios, stress-test assumptions, and evaluate projects across the full development lifecycle. Altus Group Product Manager Anthony Lisbona said developers today need a more rigorous approach to testing variables, and it doesn’t stop at the feasibility stage. “Continuously re-testing project assumptions, even once the project is off the ground and the developer is committed, is one of the biggest challenges we see, and robust tools are increasingly essential,” he said.
From Feasibility to Forecasting
ARGUS EstateMaster integrates all financial components of a project into one model, from land acquisition and build times to finance options and projected revenues. Developers can test scenarios, calculate funding, and determine the most viable approach before breaking ground. It also models capital structures, including joint ventures, debt, and equity, to show how market and cost fluctuations affect returns. That level of clarity helps protect margins and enables more confident discussions with lenders and investors. “A data-driven approach gives developers confidence in their assumptions,” Mr Lisbona said.
“By leveraging real data sourced from other projects – costs, comparable sales, project timelines, and ideal product mix - developers can produce far more accurate analyses than relying on back-of-the-envelope calculations.”
Full Lifecycle Financial Visibility
Originally designed for feasibility, ARGUS EstateMaster now extends across the entire project lifecycle, supporting detailed forecasting, cost tracking, and performance monitoring. Assumptions can be updated as conditions evolve, ensuring financial models remain accurate from acquisition through to completion. Integration with systems such as Xero, MYOB, and Salesforce keeps models aligned across platforms, reducing duplication and minimising errors.
“ARGUS EstateMaster has also expanded to portfolio management, empowering clients to track performance across multiple projects and test how market forces impact their entire portfolio.”
At a Glance:
- Evaluate development opportunities with detailed KPIs like margin, NPV, and IRR.
- Test multiple scenarios to understand risk and potential outcomes.
- Model financial viability across different funding and capital structures.
- Centralise project data for sharper insights and quicker decisions.
- Integrates with accounting (Xero, QuickBooks, MYOB), CRM (Salesforce, Propertybase), and Microsoft Office
On the Horizon
Looking ahead, Altus Group is consolidating its software solutions across the CRE lifecycle, in one integrated intelligence platform, enabling management of an asset from acquisition and development feasibility, through to operation and disposal. “This will allow developers to compare their projects to the broader market,” Mr Lisbona said. “Over time, the platform will leverage data and AI innovation to drive automated feasibility modelling, providing indicative valuations quickly and efficiently, so developers can respond to market shifts with greater insight and confidence.” To explore real-time feasibility insights, start your ARGUS EstateMaster trial at https://www.altusgroup.com/solutions/argus-estatemaster/
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