The Peak - The CEO of RealVantage is determined to reclaim and build trust in real estate investing

SINGAPORE, February. 12 2025 / The Peak /- “How They See It” is where we delve into the minds of those shaping the future of today’s most dynamic companies. In this instalment, we ask Keith Ong about his work as CEO of RealVantage, a platform democratising access to institutional-grade real estate investments. He shares an insightful perspective on breaking down barriers in property investing, the evolving landscape of wealth creation, and why making high-calibre opportunities accessible to more people has never been more crucial.

“I never set out to revolutionise real estate investing. It started as a personal frustration — an awareness that despite working in the industry, I had little access to high-value investment opportunities I saw institutions take advantage of daily. Like many others, I was limited to the conventional route: buying an apartment, renting it out, and hoping for long-term appreciation. It was safe and predictable but deeply inefficient.

I had spent years structuring deals for large firms, watching as sovereign wealth funds and pension funds secured assets with superior returns. Meanwhile, individuals — even those with significant savings — were locked out of these opportunities.

The barriers were high: deep capital reserves, intricate deal structures, and access to stubbornly exclusive networks. It was a system designed for the few, leaving the rest to navigate retail investment products that paled in comparison.

That gap gnawed at me. Why should access to institutional-grade real estate be restricted to a select few? The more I thought about it, the more it became clear: If I could find a way to lower those barriers and make high-calibre real estate investing accessible to the everyday investor, it would change the landscape entirely.

That idea became RealVantage.

Redefining access

The mission was clear from the outset — to democratise real estate investing. But turning that vision into reality was another matter. The industry was slow-moving, weighed down by archaic processes and gatekeepers reluctant to change. Technology was the key. 

We streamlined the investment process by leveraging a digital-first approach, eliminating outdated paperwork and unnecessary bureaucracy. Investors could now access carefully curated deals, make informed decisions, and diversify their portfolios at once unthinkable entry points.

The impact was immediate. Within five years, RealVantage had opened doors to institutional-grade opportunities across six countries and eight asset classes. Shopping centres, warehouses, and office buildings — previously the domain of corporate giants — were now accessible to individual investors.

People who had only considered buying residential property could now participate in commercial deals, development projects, and alternative investment strategies. The barriers were breaking down.

But I didn’t want just to expand access — I wanted to build trust. Real estate investing has long been fraught with opacity, where insiders hold the advantage and individual investors often struggle to grasp the intricacies of deals. I knew that transparency had to be at its core for our model to succeed. 

That meant offering clear insights, structured reporting, and open communication. Investors needed to understand where their money was going, why certain decisions were made, and how risks were managed.

Of course, nothing worth doing comes without its challenges. One of the toughest deals I ever managed at RealVantage came after the pandemic. Interest rates had skyrocketed fivefold in just 18 months, and one of our assets was struggling to service its loan despite maintaining an 85 per cent occupancy rate. The situation was dire. Without intervention, the bank would foreclose. 

We had to inject additional capital, a difficult but necessary decision. That experience reinforced an invaluable lesson: leverage, while powerful, is a double-edged sword. It can amplify returns in a rising market, but it becomes a weight that drags everything down in a downturn. Navigating that reality requires a disciplined approach — one that prioritises stability just as much as growth.

The weight of leadership

Yet, the biggest challenge I’ve faced isn’t in structuring deals or managing economic cycles. It’s leadership. When I co-founded RealVantage, I knew building a company would demand financial and operational acumen. What I underestimated was the emotional weight of leading people. 

I soon learned that scaling a fast-growing company requires constant recalibration — aligning talent with evolving needs, making difficult personnel decisions, and ensuring everyone sees their role in the bigger picture. It’s not always easy. Sometimes, it means taking people out of their comfort zones and challenging them in ways they never anticipated. But that’s where growth happens.

It’s why I make it a point to spend time with every team member at RealVantage, understanding their aspirations and concerns. I won’t always have the perfect answer, but I believe in finding a balance — one that serves both individual ambitions and the larger vision. The most successful teams are built on trust, earned through transparency and consistency.

And leadership doesn’t apply only to internal dynamics — it also extends to external stakeholders. Investors expect strong returns, integrity, strategic foresight, and risk management. Striking the balance between ambition and prudence, between scaling aggressively and ensuring long-term sustainability, is an ongoing challenge. Every decision has weight. Every move shapes the trajectory of the business.

Lessons in innovation

Today, the world is more uncertain than ever. Geopolitical tensions, economic instability, shifting regulatory landscapes — all of these factors shape the future of investment. But what gives me hope is the resilience of people. I’ve seen firsthand how investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders adapt in the face of uncertainty.

Technology has enabled a level of financial inclusion that was unthinkable a decade ago. More people than ever have access to the kinds of investment opportunities that were once locked away. And that’s just the beginning.

We’ve already seen how digital finance and decentralised investing change the game. The lines between traditional and alternative investments are blurring, and platforms like ours are at the forefront of this shift. The question now is: How do we stay ahead? How do we ensure that our investors remain protected while continuing to innovate?

It’s why success, to me, isn’t measured by numbers alone. It’s about breaking barriers, reshaping industries, and creating a future where financial growth isn’t dictated by privilege but by access and knowledge. If RealVantage can continue to play a role in that transformation, we are on the right path.”

About RealVantage

RealVantage is a leading real estate co-investment platform, licensed and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), that allows our investors to diversify across markets, overseas properties, sectors and investment strategies.

The team at RealVantage are highly qualified professionals who brings about a multi-disciplinary vision and approach in their respective fields towards business development, management, and client satisfaction. The team is led by distinguished Board of Advisors and advisory committee who provide cross-functional and multi-disciplinary expertise to the RealVantage team ranging from real estate, corporate finance, technology, venture capital, and startups growth. The team's philosophy, core values, and technological edge help clients build a diversified and high-performing real estate investment portfolio.

Get in touch with RealVantage today to see how they can help you in your real estate investment journey.

Disclaimer: The information and/or documents contained in this article does not constitute financial advice and is meant for educational purposes. Please consult your financial advisor, accountant, and/or attorney before proceeding with any financial/real estate investments.