Avanti Strategic Land Investors VII closes at $137 million

Avanti Investment Advisors held a $137 million final close for its Avanti Strategic Land Investors VII on Dec. 31, 2012. Endowments, foundations, pensions and substantial private investors made commitments to Fund VII.

The value-added/opportunistic fund was launched in November 2011 with a fundraising goal of between $200 million to $250 million. Although its final numbers fell below expectations, Donald Loeb, co-chairman of Avanti Properties Group, says he felt the final closing amount was satisfactory.

Fund VII invests in residential and commercial land located in the southern and western United States, particularly infill locations, and often with substantial infrastructure in place. Loeb says Avanti is currently sourcing residential and commercial land primarily from bank REO portfolios. 

“It is an excellent time to be investing in land as the housing market begins its recovery,&r