Coombs' four unusual property investments

Rathbones' David Coombs has bought into commercial property for the first time, seeking to avoid the usual pitfalls by utilising a number of less mainstream options and closed-ended vehicles.

The group's head of multi-asset investments has been on the lookout for property investments for some time, but has been "sceptical" about the attractiveness of the sector, which has seen huge hot money inflows. "The feeling we got from many property fund managers is they were mostly sellers rather than buyers, and do not want any more money coming into their funds," Coombs (pictured) said. "We are looking for a diversifier and not to chase hot returns. If a fund is taking flows and is forced to buy more assets, that is a worry." Coombs has chosen more esoteric property investment ...