Episodes
In this episode, I’ll give an update on my property business and talk about what's been happening over the past five to six weeks. I’ll share details about a new team member I've hired, the progress on my development projects, the upcoming student changeover period, and my plans to renovate one of my HMOs. I’ll also discuss how my businesses are performing financially and focus on ways to improve efficiency and increase income. - Please leave us a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify...
Published 05/08/24
Published 05/08/24
In this episode, I'm going to address the question I receive most frequently and see discussed often in the community: What is the best location for investing in HMOs?  The best location to invest in HMOs is different for every investor and depends on their individual goals, resources, risk profile, and experience. In this episode, I'll provide a definitive answer that might surprise you. Stay tuned to find out. Please leave us a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you find this...
Published 05/01/24
If I were to ask you what enables some people to build successful property businesses, what would you say? Perhaps they bought at the right time, knew the right people, or purchased properties at the right price and added significant value, consistently. While I agree with these factors, my experience over 15 years in the industry has shown me there's much more to building a truly successful property business. I've met many great people, some of whom have established incredible property...
Published 04/24/24
In this episode, I'm glad to have Vann Vogstad back to chat about the HMO industry with me. Vann co-founded COHO, a software company that helps HMO investors and tenants manage their properties. We'll be covering: Vann's goal of making property management easier for everyoneThe tough parts of running HMOsWhy building communities and sharing info mattersImproving the reputation of HMOsThe reason behind organising The HMO AwardsTips for getting tenantsWhat's next for the HMO marketJoin us as we...
Published 04/17/24
In this episode, I’m going to answer the question of whether it's too late to invest in HMOs. I’m going to address concerns about property values, interest rates, competition, access to finance, restrictive planning permissions, and legislation.  I’m going to discuss the importance of taking a long-term view, building knowledge and skills to navigate the HMO market, and briefly talk about the new homes crisis and the growing popularity of co-living. Please leave us a quick review on Apple...
Published 04/10/24
If you believe that rent to rent is solely for those with limited capital, unable to purchase properties, you're mistaken. While it's indeed a fantastic approach for individuals with limited resources, it offers benefits beyond just that. It serves as a gateway to enter the market, build cash flow, experience, networking, and various other advantages. However, if you're already managing an HMO property business, having closed deals and established your presence in the industry, you likely...
Published 04/03/24
In this episode, I'll provide you with a business update and share my thoughts on the current economic outlook.  I'll touch on the progress and challenges in my commercial-to-residential projects, my efforts in finding new HMO properties and I'll also discuss the upcoming Rent-to-Rent Discovery Day. Join our inaugural R2R Discovery Day on April 6th 2024 in Manchester. Get your tickets here. - Please leave us a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you find this episode useful. Got any...
Published 03/27/24
In this episode, I'm excited to welcome back our expert broker, Ellie Broadhurst, as we talk about bridge lending. Specifically, we'll be focusing on bridge lending for converting existing residential properties into HMOs.  Ellie brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, particularly in the HMO space, with strong relationships with lenders offering these specialised products. Throughout our discussion, Ellie will shed light on the following topics, including:  The misconceptions and fears...
Published 03/20/24
In this episode, I'm joined by a special guest, Olivia Maher. Alongside her partner, Joe, they co-founded Cosi, winning Best Master Lease Operator and Best Rent-to-Rent Operator at the inaugural HMO Awards. Over the last four years, they've built the fastest-growing Rent-to-Rent HMO agency in the country. We'll discuss the details of their successful rent-to-rent business, including: The lessons they learned from their first dealThe importance of building relationships with landlords and...
Published 03/13/24
In today's episode, I'll be talking about one of my favourite strategies – rent-to-rent. If you've been a long-time listener or have been following my journey, you'll understand why I hold a soft spot for rent-to-rent. It's notably less capital-intensive compared to the process of purchasing, acquiring, and refurbishing your own HMOs. These are, of course, distinct models of wealth creation, but if your goal is to build your owned portfolio, then rent-to-rent can serve as an excellent...
Published 03/06/24
For a lot of people, building a HMO business is potentially a gateway to doing bigger and more profitable and more exciting projects. If you've been following me on social media, you've probably seen the commercial to residential projects that I do outside of my interests in the HMO market.  So in this episode, I would like to share with you: The differences between HMOs and commercial to residential projectsThe pros and cons involved in commercial to residential projectsWhy I wouldn’t do...
Published 02/28/24
In this episode, I want to share with you how I view my long-term goal. We regularly discuss the importance of setting goals on the show, but usually in the context of a 12-month timeframe. This time, I want to talk about long-term goals—like 10, 20, and 30 years—and this 40 Million Pound figure is part of that long-term plan. I’ll share with you how I reverse engineer my financial goals so I can plan to achieve them. Please leave us a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you find...
Published 02/21/24
In today's episode, I'm joined by Tom Charrier. Tom is one half of Fat Properties and, together with his wife Philippa, has been building an incredible business of HMOs and other properties in Lancaster. We're going to find out exactly how they built their portfolio and how they're bucking the trend in the student market. In this conversation, Tom and I discuss: His background and how he got started in property investingHow he transitioned from his day job to full-time propertyHis investment...
Published 02/14/24
In this episode, I want to provide you with a business update and share some insights. I've found these episodes to be not only a way to hold myself accountable but also an opportunity to offer you a glimpse into the reality of running a property business behind the scenes. Recording podcasts about building property businesses is just one aspect; in reality, I'm actively involved in it every single day. The month of January has posed significant challenges for me. In this episode, I'll tell...
Published 02/07/24
In this episode, we're getting real about property makeovers and exploring how they can significantly enhance the value of your HMOs. While large budgets may make it easier to boost a property's worth, not everyone is willing to invest six figures in refurbishments. So, I'll guide you through the intricacies of effectively increasing your property's value without breaking the bank – think budgets of £25,000 or less. Whether your property is already in prime condition, you're working with a...
Published 01/31/24
In today's episode, I'll discuss six essential clues for identifying highly profitable deals.  While these ideas may not be new, they often go overlooked. Despite being aware of them, many fail to actively incorporate them into their deal analysis. These clues, like breadcrumbs, can lead you to the best deals in the market.  Throughout this episode, I'll explain why these indicators matter and share my experience of spotting them in successful deals. To build a supply of lucrative...
Published 01/24/24
As a property investor, it's crucial to consider factors such as inflation, interest rates, property values, and upcoming legislation—all of which are poised to impact our businesses and results. In this episode, I’m going to share my thoughts on where I think property values, interest rates, and many other factors that will affect you and me as HMO property investors will end up across the year. Please leave us a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you find this episode useful. Got...
Published 01/17/24
The biggest limitation to building a property business is a lack of capital. Unfortunately, for many of us, myself included, we're not born into a world of trust funds and millions of pounds in our back pockets. That means we have to save and work really hard to gather the cash needed to buy the properties we want. Once we've got it, we put it to work, recycle it through a project, and then we can go again. The issue with that process is its slow pace. However, what if I told you there was a...
Published 01/10/24
2024 could be the year you're thinking, 'Well, I need to be more profitable. I want to find solutions to grow. I want to reset my business and do things differently.' Today's episode is for all of you because it's going to help you navigate where to get started, especially if you really want to make a big impact and change things in 2024. So, what I'm going to do today is pick out seven episodes that I think will help you more than any other to get started in 2024. These will serve as your...
Published 01/03/24
It's that time of the year when I like to hit the pause button and reflect on the goals I set back in January. How did I fare? Did I hit my targets, or did I fall short? These episodes aren't about bragging; quite the opposite, actually. They serve as a means to hold myself accountable, looking back and openly sharing my progress. I also hope they impart valuable lessons to you, helping you understand how I approach goal-setting and review. That's the most important part – tracking progress...
Published 12/27/23
In this episode, we have Ellie Broadhurst, our expert broker from The HMO Roadmap, back to our show. Ellie is here to shed light on the burning questions I have about the current financial landscape. Notably, interest rates have held steady for the third consecutive time, and we're seeing a downward trend in inflation. But what does all of this mean for us as property investors? How will these factors impact the property market, and what considerations should we have in mind as we approach...
Published 12/20/23
In today's episode, I'm thrilled to provide a comprehensive business update, now that I'm back. Gemma and I have returned from our extensive journey across Canada, the United States, and Costa Rica. We've witnessed breathtaking landscapes—from mountains and coastlines to sunsets, sunrises, deserts, jungles, and bustling cities. It truly has been an incredible experience, but it's equally great to be back. These business updates serve as a way to hold myself accountable, and I believe in...
Published 12/13/23
In today's episode, we’re going to discuss the crucial aspects of risk management and exit strategies for your HMO business. Now, if you're a new investor, just embarking on this journey, you might be thinking that exiting them is not my priority. However, hold that thought, because surprisingly, how you enter deals is intricately linked to how you exit them. So in this episode, we'll explore four essential considerations every investor should ponder when it comes to risk management and exit...
Published 12/06/23
In this episode, I'm thrilled to have HMO community member John Orr joining us today. He's got three insightful questions lined up, focusing on overcoming objections in planning, dealing with neighbours, and engaging with investors. During the mentoring session, John asked the following questions: Ways of potentially shortening the process, including all the behind-the-scenes legislation, etc.How best to try and get neighbours onside and minimise complaints/objections.Selling the concept of...
Published 11/29/23