On November 30th, GA technologies (3491:JP) announced the acquisition of Thai based real estate firm Dear Life Corporation (DLC) via a share swap between GA and DLC’s Japan based holding company, DL-Holdings (DLH).

GA owns and operates ITANDI, a property viewing-to-contract digital platform where brokers can schedule property viewings of other agent’s inventory and digitally execute leasing contracts via the proprietary ITANDI system. 

ITANDI promotional video for the Japanese market.

Additionally, GA owns and operates RENOSY, a property portal that according to GA is “...a comprehensive one-stop real estate service platform…covering all aspects of the industry ranging from rent, buy, sell, lease and invest.”

DLC operates a Thai based, leasing focused property portal called Dear Life that targets mainly Japanese clients currently or soon to be residing in Thailand.  

Ryo Higuchi, President & CEO of GA technologies, explaining his excitement about the acquisition.  Source: GA Technologies.

With the deal, GA will be able to utilise DLC’s local property management and leasing connections with Thailand being the first stop for the ITANDI and RENOSY exports into the South East Asian region.  

RENOSY promotional video for the Japanese market.

According to a follow up comment from GA, “we are hoping to introduce these customers to our RENOSY product line which already has stable infrastructure in Japan that provides a full range of services about real estate investment and assets management in the Japan market.”

As a side benefit to the acquisition, GA desires to create a synergy between the Japan based operations, DLC and another GA owned entity, Shenjumiausuan, a property service focusing on the greater China area.

GA explains “...We plan to connect our customers from RENOSY and Shenjumiausuan who are interested in Thai real estate with Dear Life and vice versa.”

When asked how the lessons to be learned from this initial step into the Thai market will be applied to future South East Asia expansion, GA commented “the data we acquire from the synergy will be a valuable data resource for us to evaluate which location will be a great place to expand our business for the next step. 

“We are aware that there are cultural differences involved in each country and you have to be careful with the laws and regulations of each country too, but we are also feeling positive about introducing the business model Dear Life creates in Thailand to other countries in the region.”

Further Reading

GA technologies DLC Acquisition Press Release (November, 2021)

GA technologies is making a debut in the franchise business (December, 2021)