Join Alex as he interviews Louise Smith of Braeside Property, who shares her inspiring journey from equestrian expert to a successful property investor. Louise reveals her blueprint for building a thriving HMO portfolio, offering invaluable insights on sourcing deals, building relationships with agents, and raising private investor finance. https://airbnbconsultant.co/  KEY TAKEAWAYS Louise transitioned from an equestrian career at Paul McCartney's estate to property investing, driven by a desire for excitement and self-development. Building strong relationships with estate agents is crucial for finding deals; Louise recommends creating a spreadsheet and categorising agents based on their helpfulness. Joint ventures can be a great way to start in property, but it's essential to align values and clearly define roles with your partner to avoid conflicts. Louise emphasises the importance of having finance in place before making offers, either through personal funds or by building relationships with private investors. Networking and public speaking played a significant role in Louise's success, helping her connect with potential investors and partners. Louise advises focusing on properties within a 30-minute drive from your home, as local knowledge is invaluable for spotting good deals quickly. Mental health and self-development are crucial aspects of running a successful property business; Louise recommends self-help books and emotional mastery courses. Louise's strategy involves sticking to 6-bed HMOs to minimise planning risks and ensure consistent cash flow, aiming for at least £1,000 monthly profit per property. BEST MOMENTS  "I soon learned that don't try and put on any kind of façade, just be yourself because then you attract the right people and you're that makes business a lot, lot easier." "Property is very much a people person. I had to go out networking and I had to meet people and I had to go and face my fears and make offers." "It doesn't matter how many times you take that test. At some point you'll pass. And it just sort of really resonated with me with that. I went, yeah, you're right." "I've grown at exactly the same rate as our business as a person. I had to, and that's almost like a bit of an adrenaline rush, to give yourself a pat on the back that you've succeeded and you've turned that deal around." "Whatever happens, as long as you just keep going in that direction, you've got the big Y written on the whiteboard there, and you're like, I'm going there. And whatever the hell happens on the way, I'm just going to let it happen." ABOUT THE GUEST www.braesideproperty.co.uk Email: [email protected] My husband Peter and I have been investing in property for 17 years, starting with a one-bedroom flat and gradually expanding. In 2016, I pursued advanced property courses, leading us to focus on higher cash-flowing assets and collaborate with investors. Peter now works full-time in the business, overseeing refurbishments to high standards. We also host networking events and I manage an equestrian yard, which has helped with obtaining favourable mortgage rates and reinvesting in our business for growth.   http://linkedin.com/in/louise-smith-0b022b112 https://www.facebook.com/share/4Qdsc3FSzRtbyYHg/?mibextid=LQQJ4d https://www.instagram.com/braeside_property_group?igsh=MXY3YTZic3VpdGJrMQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr HOST BIO Alex & Pooh have built a portfolio of over 16 Serviced Accommodation Units and 10 Buy-To-Lets collectively over the last 5 years.  This AirBnB Business has allowed each of them to create their own tailor made ‘lifestyle by design’. Pooh chose to escape the corporate life as an electrical engineer instead to spend his time at home with his young and growing family, and Alex likes to spend most of his time in sunny Spain enjoying his love for road cycling or even hiking in the Tramuntana mountain ranges. CONTACT US Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/alex.