#242

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Our Sponsors: Finnigan McNeill Property Group

Justin Wilkins of Property X has a YouTube channel with over 250 videos largely aimed at those making their first moves in UK property.

One of them goes by the title of: Best Property Strategy to Start as a Beginner.

That strategy is flipping.

A flip is when you buy a property, renovate it to increase its value, and then resell it for a profit as quickly as possible.

In this episode, I play deveil’s advocate to Justin!

We discuss:

• Why Justin recommends Flipping for New Property Investors
• Risks Associated with Flipping vs. Buy-to-Let
• The Value of Hands-On Experience
• Dealing with Rising Renovation Costs
• Increased Competition in Property Acquisition
• The Importance of Volume in Deal Flow
• Managing Project Timelines and Profitability
• Flexibility in Exit Strategies
• Distinguishing 'Fast Pounds vs. Slow Pounds'
• The Need for Balance Between Action and Analysis

Keywords

UK property podcast, UK property investing podcast, Expat property podcast, British property investment podcast, UK real estate podcast, Investing in UK property as an expat, UK property investment strategies, Property flipping UK, Buy to let advice UK, Starting in UK property investment, Beginner UK property investor tips, UK property market trends podcast, Property sourcing UK podcast, Flipping houses in the UK, Buy refurbish refinance UK podcast, UK expat real estate advice, Managing UK property from abroad, Turnkey buy to let UK, Building a property portfolio UK, First time property investor UK, Slow pounds vs fast pounds property, Property renovation costs UK 2024, UK property flips vs buy to let, UK property investing for beginners, Real estate podcast UK expats, Tips for UK overseas property investors, UK property YouTube vs Podcast, Property investment education UK, Property mentoring UK expats, UK property investment cash flow, Property market competition UK, Selling UK property as an expat, Capital growth UK property, Risk management in UK property investing, Should I start with a flip or buy to let in UK?, How do expats invest in UK property?, Is property flipping still profitable UK?, What are the risks of flipping houses UK?, UK property podcasts for beginners, How much capital do I need for UK property investment?, UK property investment in Wales and Liverpool, How long does selling a property take in the UK?

#241

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37 Question Due Diligence Checklist / Auction Guide

This is a cracking episode you won't want to miss.

It features a case study of how Saif Rehan is making a potential gross profit of around 190K by:

Buying a portfolio of 6 houses from a retiring landlord

Trading 4 at auction

Reconfiguring the 5th

Developing the 6th into a 6 Bed HMO leased to a Social Provider which he can now either hold or sell.

We discuss:

· Need for supplementary income to maintain and grow property portfolios

· Importance of cash flow models

· Multiple sources of income

· Auction Pricing Strategy

· Experience of Together Finance for bridging

· Experiences with Serco and typical disputes over property condition

· Purchase of a six-house portfolio from a retiring landlor

· Tag-team strategy for maximizing portfolio deal value

· Disposal & Monetization of portfolio

· Critical importance of cash flow management

· Tension between speed, price, and certainty in property transaction

Saif Rehan on IG

Six-Property Portfolio: The Numbers

Overall Purchase:

• Price: £580,000
• Done up value: £900,000

Properties 1-4: Auction Trades

• Property 1:
  • PP 62K
  • Sold: 92K
  • Profit: 30K
• Properties 2 & 3
  • PP: 80K each
  • Sold: 110K each
  • Profit: 60K
• Property 4
  • PP: 80K
  • Sold: 97K
  • Profit: 17K
• TOTAL profit from four auction trades: About £107,000

Property 5: Flip (Reconfigured from Two-Bed to Three-Bed)

• PP: 80K
• Sold for 167K
• Profit 32K

Property 6: Converted to Six-Bed HMO (Social Housing)

• Purchase cost: Bought for 107K
• Refurb cost: 100K
• Profit: 53K

Keywords
UK property podcast, Expat property investing, UK property investment strategies, Buy to let UK, Auction property UK, Investing in UK HMOs, Social housing investment UK, Flipping UK property, Property portfolio management UK, Cash flow in UK property, Property investing for expats, UK property capital growth, Oldham property market, Property trading vs holding UK, Bridging finance UK property, Property deals UK podcast, Sourcing UK property deals, Landlord exit strategy UK, Net profit property investing UK, Accountancy for property investors UK, Portfolio efficiency property UK, Social housing providers UK, Property refurb UK podcast, Property development UK podcast, Speed vs price in property deals, Edward Mellor auctions UK, Together Finance UK, HMO conversion UK

#240

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One theme that comes up consistently in conversations with expats and remote investors is the difficulty in finding trustworthy UK property partners.

People who do what they say they will do.

I’ve been approached multiple times by people wanting to sponsor this podcast and I’ve always said no.

But Darren McNeill of Finnigan McNeill Property Group (FMP) provides so much value to his clients that I’m happy to announce his company or FMP for short as our very first sponsor of Expat Property Story.

In this episode, Darren takes us through his onboarding process for clients.

During the show, we discuss:

• How to Find Trustworthy UK Property Partners: Why integrity and transparency are so hard to find in the UK property sourcing world—and what makes Darren and FMP different.
• FMP’s Onboarding Process for Investors: Step-by-step guidance for expats, from first contact through sourcing and securing your ideal property, with no contracts or upfront fees.
• Best UK Property Locations for Yield: Honest insights into towns along the M65 corridor, from Greater Manchester to Burnley, and why price and yield trends matter.
• Property Vetting & Site Visits: How FMP inspects each property, manages client expectations, and avoids “problem areas.”
• Offer Process Secrets: Tips for fast-tracking your offers and impressing estate agents, plus why proofs and paperwork matter.
• Deal Analysis and Growth Estimates: How Darren calculates GDVs, rental yields, growth rates, and forecasts conservatively for UK property.
• Rental Guarantees & Maintenance Transparency: Why FMP offers rent guarantee insurance and direct invoicing for repairs, giving landlords peace of mind.
• Managing Refurbs & Minimizing Surprises: What goes into refurbishment budgets, how to handle unexpected costs, and why FMP focuses on simpler, ready-to-let properties in today’s market.
• Annual Rental Increases: The new reality for landlords in the UK—and how to keep both tenants and your portfolio happy.
• Being a ‘Good Client’: Why realistic expectations and action trump waiting for a perfect deal.

Keywords

UK property, UK property investment, UK buy-to-let, UK property portfolio, investing in UK property, expat landlords, UK property management, FMP, Finnegan McNeill Property, property sourcing UK, rental yield UK, North West UK property, Manchester property investment, UK property partner, UK property portfolio for expats

#239

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Jamie Barnsley has been involved in property for nearly 20 years.

After graduating with a degree in building surveying and a masters in construction project management, Jamie Barnsley moved to Glasgow from his native Newcastle, where he met his wife.

After ten years in Scotland, and with a young family in tow, the pair moved initially to Abu Dhabi for a couple of years before making the short switch to Dubai in 2011.

In that time, they’ve invested in Scotland, London, the North East, the North West and Sri Lanka.

But it’s been far from plain sailing.

Their success has come despite massive challenges such as the Global Financial Crisis and losing £50,000 in an off-plan new build nightmare.

Listen now for the full story.

We discuss:

• Jamie’s Costly Off-Plan Property Mistake
• Impact on Confidence & Recovery
• Taking High-Stakes Risks in Sri Lanka
• Property Portfolio Diversification
• Lessons in Resilience
• Leveraging Local Expertise
• Buy-to-Let and Holiday Lets Strategy
• Remote Property Management Techniques
• Jamie's two-year family sabbatical traversing the Americas
• Advice for Expat Property Investors

Keywords

UK property podcast, Expat property investing, Buy to let UK, Property investment strategies UK, New build property UK, Off-plan property investment, UK expat property tips, UK property investment for expats, Property sourcing UK, Investing in North East England property, Investing in North West England property, Manchester property investment, Newcastle property investment, Glasgow property market, Burnley buy to let, Property conveyancing UK, Holiday lets UK, Overseas property investment, Sri Lanka property investment, International property investing, Diversifying property portfolio UK, Risk management property investment, UK mortgage for expats, Rental property management UK, Airbnb holiday lets UK, Dynamic pricing for holiday lets, Property sourcing agents UK, Hands-off property investment, Property refurbishment UK, Leveraged property investing, Passive income from UK property, Property investment mindset, Property investment failures and lessons, Building surveying UK, Construction project management UK, Conveyancing process UK property, Renters Rights Act UK, Guaranteed rent schemes UK, Property sources and agents UK, Property ROI UK, Buy refurbish refinance UK, Expat property WhatsApp group, UK property portfolio diversification, UK property exit strategy, UK expat property podcast community

#238

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Dillon Dhanecha outlines how to build, scale, and exit a UK property portfolio with predictable returns while creating real social impact.

Discover how you can work directly with local authorities and supported living providers to deliver stable tenancies and cash flow, and why now is the perfect time to make the switch from traditional buy-to-let or HMO models.

In the episode, we discuss:

• The shift in the private rental sector: The rise of institutional players in the private rental market and how social housing remains an open and profitable opportunity for individual investors.
• Social housing spectrum: The variety within social housing—from supported living to families on council waiting lists, refugees, ex-offenders, and vulnerable individuals.
• Portfolio productization: The importance of creating a standardized (productized) property portfolio with strong leases, making it attractive for institutional buyouts rather than piecemeal sales.
• Exit strategies for investors: How investors can scale to 15–25 property portfolios and sell them as businesses to institutional buyers, earning not just on bricks and mortar value but also on cash flow multiples.
• Opportunities beyond big government contracts: Why investors should focus on areas untouched by large providers like Serco, Mears, and Clear Springs, such as working directly with local authorities tackling temporary accommodation costs.
• The economics of social housing: How local housing allowance rates are calculated, why they rise with rental markets, and real-world examples of council payment models that improve landlord cash flow.
• Relationship-building with local authorities: The need for investors to approach councils and providers collaboratively, focusing on high-quality, safe housing instead of offloading subpar properties.
• Practical steps to switch to social housing: Discussion on mortgages suitable for social housing, choosing properties, understanding capital values, and leveraging AI tools for geographic and property-type targeting.
• Education and action: Dillon's strong recommendation to get educated about the sector, build collaboration pipelines, and use income amplification strategies before diving in, highlighting available training and resources for aspiring impact-driven landlords.
  
  Keywords
  
  UK property podcast,British property investing podcast,UK real estate podcast,Property investment in UK podcast,Expat property investment podcast, Expat Property Story podcast, Social housing investment UK, Investing in UK social housing, UK supported living property, Property investment for expats, UK property cash flow strategies, Build to rent UK, Institutional property investors UK, British expat property strategies, Purposeful property investing UK, Social housing providers UK, Temporary accommodation property UK, Local authority housing UK, Generational wealth UK property, Property exit strategies, UK council housing podcast, Supported living investment, Podcast for landlords UK, Property portfolio UK, Sell-to-institution property UK, Housing associations UK podcast, Void-free property investment, Maintenance-free propert

#237

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One aspect of property investing that comes up repeatedly in my conversations with the finest minds in UK property it’s mindset.

So this week, I’ve put the best of these conversations together for a deep dive on what is arguably the most important elements of UK property investing.

Featuring:

• Dawid Dowbusz
• Wendy Whittaker-Large
• Jake Barber
• Tanya Summer
• Charlie Green
• Damian Hughes
• Nick Smith
• Oliver Adams
• Richard Brown

Topics Covered:

• The Truth About UK Property Investing:
  Get past the “passive income from the beach” myth and hear candid stories on how hard UK property investment really is, especially for expats.
• Discipline & Resilience:
  Wendy Whittaker-Large and David Dovebush stress discipline, realism, and not giving up—even when things are tough or seem impossible.
• Cultural Mindset & Opportunity:
  Jake Barber explores the unique challenges and perspectives of UK-based investors versus their expat counterparts and highlights how a change in environment can lead to a more proactive mindset.
• Overcoming Expat Obstacles:
  Tanya Sommer debunks common myths about expat mortgages and emphasizes persistence, seeking the right advice, and conquering fear.
• Building Trust Remotely:
  Trust expert Charlie Green breaks down the dual nature of trust—how to be trustworthy as an investor and how to take smart risks on others in the property space, especially when investing from afar.
• From Motivation to Habits:
  Damian Hughes (High Performance Podcast) discusses why habits, not raw motivation, drive long-term success in UK property investment. Learn how to create non-negotiables and leverage both intrinsic and extrinsic motivators.
• Managing Risk & Handling Setbacks:
  Nick Smith offers practical strategies for anxiety: assess worst-case scenarios, learn from them, and move forward with confidence.
• Bouncing Back from Failure:
  Property trader Oliver Adams shares a cautionary tale of a costly mistake and his process for learning, letting go, and returning to the market stronger than ever.
• Let Your Subconscious Solve Problems:
  Richard Brown provides a creative mindset tip: give your subconscious a challenge before bedtime and ideate solutions while you sleep.

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Keywords
UK property, UK property investment, expat investors, remote UK property investing, property investing mindset, UK property challenges, UK expat mortgages, building trust property, property risk management, UK portfolio building, real estate mindset, overseas property investing, property investor habits, property investing resilience, UK real estate investing tips

#236

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When times are tough, it’s even more important to buy well.

No one buys better than cash buying companies.

How do they do it? This episode lifts the lid.

But this episode is not just about getting a discount.

It’s more of a microcosm of how to run a property business.

It encapsulates how to buy well, sell well and get your money working as hard and efficiently as possible throughout the process.

Jonathan Rolande is my expert guest this week.

Jonathsn is not just the founder of House Buy Fast but also the head of the National Association of Property Buyers.

During the episode, we discuss:

• How Cash Buying Companies Operate: buying properties quickly for cash, particularly those with problems or that struggle to sell on the traditional market.
• Types of Problem Properties: short leases, Japanese knotweed, unmortgageable conditions (missing kitchens or bathrooms), hoarding, and structural problems.
• Approach to Refurbs: making properties mortgageable and appealing for re-sale.
• Decision Process on Solving Problems: some properties, e.g. with subsidence, the company may sell on with full disclosure and at a reduced margin.
• Common Reasons Sellers Use Cash Buyers: Surprisingly, most sellers are not in financial distress but are simply seeking certainty and speed due to life changes, repeated transaction fall-throughs, probate, or landlord exhaustion.
• Holding Period and Sales Strategy: sellingmost properties within 90 days to minimize holding costs, pricing properties keenly for a quick turnaround rather than holding out for maximum profit.
• Agent Selection for Resale: partnering with the best local agents, valuing strong market knowledge, sales skills, and a proactive online and community presence over just low fees.
• Dealing with Tenanted and Landlord-Sold Properties: They often buy from landlords, sometimes retaining tenants or managing evictions / refurbs, especially in the current climate of landlord exits.
• Pricing and Offer Calculation: Offers are typically 80–85% of market value, factoring in speed, certainty, refurbishment, stamp duty, and local sales ratios (ideally aiming for 30%+ properties under offer in the area).
• Transparency and Industry Standards: following industry codes of conduct, and encourages sellers to seek reputable companies, highlighting the role of organizations like the NAPB.

Keywords

UK property podcast, UK real estate podcast, Expat property podcast, Buy-to-let podcast UK, Cash buyer property podcast, Investing in UK property podcast, Property investor podcast UK, How to buy property in the UK as an expat, UK cash buying companies explained, Property flipping podcast UK, Fast house sale podcast UK, Selling property in the UK podcast, UK property market trends podcast, Property refurbishment tips UK, UK landlord challenges podcast, Problems selling property in the UK, Selling to a cash buyer UK, Renters Rights Act impact podcast, UK auction property podcast

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#235

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How would you like to make up to £100,000 for a 6–9-month project. Sounds good right?

Kazeem Alli-Balogun is better known as Property By Kazy.

Kazy has more nearly a decade of experience transforming properties in affluent London neighborhoods like Clapham, Maida Vale, and Fulham.

Many of them were bought as one beds and reconfigured into two beds without adding to the floor space.

This episode comprehensively breaks down how you can do it too.

We discuss:

· Reconfiguring a Flat as a Value-Add Strategy: A highly profitable, evergreen property strategy, especially in high-demand London areas.

· Focus on Victorian & Edwardian Properties: These older properties, especially maisonettes with voids under the floors, are usually the best candidates for reconfiguration because they offer more layout flexibility and easier access for drainage and rewiring.

· Ideal Property Size & Condition: Target flats that are tired, in need of modernization, and typically above 600 sq. ft. Buying properties in poor condition allows for more uplift by transforming both condition and layout.

· Typical Floorplan Transformation: A common example: moving the bathroom to create two bedrooms, then making an open-plan kitchen/living space at the rear, optimizing both the layout and the light in the flat.

· Key Parameters for Reconfiguring: 3 top things to look for; property size, natural light for all habitable rooms, and viable drainage routes to support new bathrooms/kitchens.

· Cost Breakdown & Budgeting: New boilers, electrics, kitchens, windows, and highlights the importance of budgeting for both refurbishment and worst-case scenarios (like unsold property requiring rental).

· Navigating Permissions: Most of these projects involve leasehold flats, requiring a "license to alter" from freeholders. Building Regulation (Building Regs) consent is also necessary, with private building control often recommended.

· Sales & Market Strategies: When marketing the finished property, Kazi suggests pricing strategies, staging tips, and focusing on your buyer demographic. Flexibility is key—be ready to rent if sales don’t materialize, but finish to a standard fit for sale.

· Case Study Example: Brixton deal: bought at £280k (with short lease), £50–60k refurb, lease extension, and freehold purchase, all-in for about £445k. Sold at £545k—demonstrating how a reconfiguration can generate close to £100,000 profit in less than a year.

Keywords

UK property investment, London real estate, Buy-to-flip UK, UK property refurbishment, Reconfiguring flats UK, Adding value to UK property, Leasehold property London, Expat property investor, Victorian maisonette conversion, BRRR strategy UK, UK property sourcing, Property investment case study London, UK rental yields, London property market 2024

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