#218

Are you thinking of buying your first UK investment property? 

Have you had enough of the UK and are thinking of leaving for pastures new and becoming an expat? 

Are you perhaps scared to take the leap and are looking for a little inspiration?

 Are you wondering what it would all look like for YOU? 

These are just some of the questions that this week’s show will get you thinking about.

Tanya Summer's family moved to Dubai in 2022 following her husband's long-standing dream to teach in the city.

Initially, her husband and eldest moved in August 2022, while Tanya remained in the UK with her younger son,due to a recent promotion and her father's health.

Like many expats, their move overseas allowed them to turn their family home into a buy-to-let and get their Expat Property Story started.

Property & Poppadoms Hong Kong Launch

During the episode, we discuss:

• Overcoming skepticism and fear of risk from others
• Transition from family home to buy-to-let investment in Tamworth
• Investment in a Welsh Holiday Let/Serviced Accommodation
• Dual-purpose purchase: own use vs. holiday letting for income
• Problems with void periods (especially winter)
• Mortgage considerations—higher rates for holiday lets
• Managing and Operating the Holiday Let Remotely
• Selection and experiences with managing agents (e.g., Sykes Cottages)
• High commission, poor performance, and financial losses
• Transition to self-management and improved outcomes
• Cleaning and local keyholder arrangements
• Issues with local tradespeople availability
• Using Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, and other booking platforms
• Strategies for increasing direct bookings (e.g., Stayfi, QR codes, Wi-Fi codes)
• Compliance with changing platform rules (e.g., Airbnb messaging policies)
• Financial and Regulatory Challenges Specific to Welsh Holiday Lets
• High council tax for second homes (up to 300%)
• Stringent business rates qualification—requirement for 182 days’ occupancy
• Comparison of Buy-to-Let vs. Holiday Let Strategies
• Self-management vs. using agents—costs, involvement, and control
• Difficulty finding trustworthy local partners for property management and maintenance
• Importance of monitoring local property markets
• Benefits of local market knowledge
• Investment in Dubai vs. further UK investments
• Maintaining openness to opportunities as they arise

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Keywords

UK property investment, expat property investing, buy to let, holiday let, serviced accommodation, property portfolio, property management, self managing properties, property in Tamworth, property in Wales, Dubai property investment, property networking Hong Kong, mortgage rates, holiday let mortgage, void periods, remote property management, cleaning and maintenance, Airbnb management, Booking.com, Vrbo, Sykes holiday agency, business rates vs council tax, second home tax Wales, managing agents, finding tradespeople, capital growth, family relocation, sourcing property deals, property investment strategy, direct bookings, limited company property investment

#217

Have you thought about flipping UK property to make some cash? 

Have you thought about buying a property to flip via the so-called modern method of auction using companies like I Am Sold? 

Have you wondered how to buy a property at discount without having to build relationships with lots and lots of estate agents in your chosen location? 

Well, if you thought about any of these three questions before then this episode is for you. 

And if you’ve thought about all three, then you’re in for a treat!

Simon Duckworth of Triangle Property Solutions  actively sources and renovates properties for profit. 

With extensive experience in the auction space, Simon has developed a very strategic approach to property investment.

We discuss:

·       Buy 3, sell 2, keep 1 strategy

·       Overview of traditional auctions

·       Overview of Modern Method

·       Tracking properties through multiple auction cycles / price reductions

·       Watching listings for signs of seller motivation

·       Step-by-Step Process of a flip listed on I am Sold

·       Probate properties / SDLT 

·      The “no offer offer”

·       Importance of timing and repeated engagement through auction cycles

·       Refurb contingency

·       Conveyancing timelines 

·       Selling strategy: price setting, agent selection, market testing

·       Differences in pricing strategy between corporate and family-run agents

·       Holding / selling costs

·       Risks / challenges in Flips

·       Risks: time overruns, market sentiment, refurb estimates

·       Tips for Successful Flipping

·       Need for organization / tracking

·       Testing market prices / negotiation: “Say No Twice” strategy

·       Buffers (refurb AND time)

·       Maximizing Profit and Market Adaptation

·       Expectations (profit / timelines)

·       Adapting to slower / fluctuating markets.

·       Lessons from HMO Challenges: Regulatory Headaches

·       Simon’s near disaster with a large HMO project due to neighbor complaints.

Free Deal Clinic

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Keywords

UK property flipping, modern method of auction, I am sold, property discounts, estate agents, investing capital, buy to flip, auction property sourcing, flipping strategies, property renovation, HMO investment, property refurb costs, auction cycle tracking, probate property, stamp duty savings, reservation fee, online property auctions, property market sentiment, conveyancing delays, property holding costs, selling strategies, estate agent negotiation, real estate CRM, flips vs

#216

One of the biggest challenges as a remote investor in UK Property is finding a property to buy from the other side of the world.

Many expats, nomads and foreign nationals turn to property sourcers to find a deal.

But this episode shows you there’s nothing to stop you doing it yourself.

Gary Gayner lives and works in Abu Dhabi.

He set up his own sourcing business after an unsatisfactory experience with a sourcer.

During the episode, we discuss:

• Sourcing methods: direct-to-vendor marketing (Facebook, Google Ads), relationships with landlords / letting agents
• Importance of rapport-building: phone calls, in-person meetings during UK trips
• The value of boots on the ground
• Why off-market deals offer better discounts
• Motivated seller dynamics and the importance of understanding seller situations
• Using sold price comparables, not asking prices, for accurate valuations
• The need for balanced and transparent analysis
• Comparing Leeds and Manchester for investment potential 
• Investing in Leeds
• Self-sourcing vs. using a sourcer: assessing your own time, energy, and experience
• Advice for vetting sourcers: checking for compliance, redress scheme membership, and client feedback
• Using PropertyEngine for deal filtering and due diligence around comparables
• Reverse-engineering your search via target letting agents
• Importance of always making offers and following up, 
• Due diligence essentials if using a sourcer: compliance, track record, client references

Get in Touch

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Keywords

remote UK property investment, expat property investing, property sourcing, property deal sourcing, UK buy-to-let, building estate agent relationships, off-market property deals, Manchester property, Leeds property, Wakefield property, West Yorkshire property, capital appreciation, rental yield, turnkey property service, property education courses, property mentorship, due diligence, letting agents, property portfolio building, property comparables, sold price vs asking price, motivated sellers, property valuation, networking events UK, remote relationship building, property management, property market research, sourcing agent compliance, direct to vendor marketing, passive income property

#215

As a remote investor in UK property, you can't easily visit the UK.

So you have to depend on UK-based partners for everything.

When things go wrong, fixing them from afar is way more challenging than for local investors.

So we’ve assembled some of the finest minds in UK property for perhaps the most important topic in property:

Rod Turner Akhil Patel Alicia Barlow Julian Maurice Damian Hughes Michael Cheek Rob Dix Jim Pittman Richard Brown Adam Lawrence Sean the Property Tax Accountant Dean PropSourcer Stuart Ball Dan Patient

Managing Risk Part 1 & Part 2

We discuss:

• The connection between trust and risk
• Charles H. Green's Trust Equation
• Credibility / Reliability / Intimacy / Self-orientation (negative virtue)
• Recap of 300K lost in a joint venture deal
• Meeting in person
• Incremental relationship building 
• Pitfalls of Reviews
• Issues with online review sites such as Trustpilot:
• Trust But Verify: Due Diligence 
• Reducing Risk / Testing Trustworthiness
• Early Detection of Poor Partnerships
• Parallel Partners to Maintain Leverage
• Crumb Method
• Due Diligence: on Companies House
• Property Sourcers

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Keywords: expat property investment, UK property, remote investing, trust, risk management, due diligence, power team, property sourcer, letting agents, property management,  joint venture property,  self-orientation, verification, Companies House,  mortgage broker, property mentor, trustpilot reviews, property scams, compliance checks

#214

Is it really possible to make that much money in such a relatively short space of time? 

It can definitely be done, but to do it like this week’s guest, Oliver Adams, you’ll need knowledge, experience as well as the right mindset. 

And you’ll have to work like a Trojan.

And, if you listen till the end, you’ll see how things can really unravel when misfortunes and disasters compound.

You won't want to miss this one!

In the episode, we discuss:

• Details on first property trade 
• Balancing profitable, break-even, and loss-making deals
• Handling periods of higher loss ratios
• A typical deal
• Seller motivations
• Pricing negotiations based on quick cash offers and the seller’s emotional state
• Process from Acquisition to Sale
• Hands-on approach: self-performing initial property clear-outs, cleaning & minor maintenance
• Gradual shift to contracting out more tasks to save time 
• Sales Strategy/Auction Tactics
• Preference for quick 2-week completions: smaller profits for faster capital recycling
• Low reserve prices to stimulate interest
• Trade-offs between profit maximization and deal volume
• Valuation Approach and Market Analysis
• EIG (Essential Information Group) and Rightmove
• Strict eight-week cycle for turnover
• Opinion on limited value of data
• Auction outcome variation 
• On-market Vs off-market / Seller psychology
• Deal Sourcing Strategies
• Mindset
• The shift from hands-on control to leveraging contractors for efficiency and global flexibility
• Recommendations for expats or remote investors: 
• Recovering / Learning from Failure
• Example of a high-loss deal: compounding misfortunes
• The emotional and strategic process of recovery: analyzing what went wrong, learning (e.g., construction type, local sentiment), and mentally moving on
• The psychological need to keep trading and not let losses inhibit future risk-taking

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What's the one thing you’re struggling with in UK property

Where to meet Expat Property Investors (For FREE):

Hong Kong: Pacific Coffee, 2/F, Central Building, Central (1st Sat of month from 11:30 am)

Dubai: Holiday Inn, Science Park (1st Weds of month from 7pm)

Singapore: The Providore VivoCity (1st Sat of month  from 10:30 am)

Keywords

volume property trading, UK property auctions, remote property investing, expat property investment, property flipping, property sourcers, off-market deals, auction reserve prices, risk management in property, mindset for investors, property refurbishments, bridging finance, property trading companies, stamp duty exemptions, due diligence, market value assessment, property profit margins, loss recovery strategies, seller sentiment, auction completion times, portfolio growth, subcontracting property work, property clearance, motivated sellers, non-standard construction, auction buyer psychology, sourcing property leads, estate agent valuations, property trading business model

#213

In this episode, we look at seven reasons why you might want to pick Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs), and seven reasons why you might choose Standard Buy to Lets as your strategy.

By the end of the episode, you can come to your own conclusion as to which is best for you.

Reasons to Choose HMOs

• Higher Yields
  • Main reason for choosing HMOs
  • Potential income comparison with Single Lets
• Demand
  • Supply vs. demand in the HMO market
  • Factors contributing to demand: rising property prices, energy costs, population changes
• Niche Opportunities
  • Target tenant types: students, professionals, medical students, etc.
  • Social housing and supported living HMOs
• Replacing Your Income
  • Motivations for choosing HMOs over secure jobs
  • Financial aspirations and goals
• Reducing Risk of Voids
  • Comparison of void risks between HMOs and Single Lets
• Commercial Valuations
  • Explanation of valuation differences between residential and commercial
  • Importance of working with knowledgeable brokers
• Cash Flow
  • Importance of cash flow in real estate investments

Reasons to Choose Single Lets

• Simplicity
  • Easier management and less conflict
  • Simpler tenant management
  • Broader market for selling properties
• Good for Beginners
  • Less stress and complexity for first-time investors
• Lower Risk
  • Risks associated with HMOs compared to Single Lets
• Finance
  • Lower lending costs
  • Management costs and property maintenance
• Time Efficiency
  • Less time needed for buying, refurbishing, and tenant management
• Less Market Volatility
  • Fewer fluctuations affecting Single Lets
• Capital Growth
  • Characteristics of properties that appreciate over time

I'd Like Help With Setting My Goals

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What's the one thing you’re struggling with in UK property

Where to meet Expat Property Investors (For FREE):

Hong Kong: Pacific Coffee, 2/F, Central Building, Central (1st Sat of month from 11:30 am)

Dubai: Holiday Inn, Science Park (1st Weds of month from 7pm)

Singapore: The Providore VivoCity (1st Sat of month  from 10:30 am)

Keywords

Single Lets, HMOs, UK property investment, remote investor, higher yields, property strategy, rental income, demand and supply, housing market, property investor, rental properties, English Housing Survey, property prices, single tenant, property management, cash flow, income replacement, market volatility, capital growth, property finance, risk management, real estate investment, property appreciation, UK housing ladder, residential property, commercial valuation, property portfolio, remote property management, buy to let.

#212

Have you bought or thought about buying a UK property at auction? 

Maybe you’re put off because you don’t know your way around a legal pack? 

Or you don’t trust yourself to spot outrageous hidden fees.

Or you’re just reluctant to pay a solicitor hundreds of pounds to review a deal that you might not even buy.

In this episode, we present an alternative solution.

Jade Shrubsole has made it her mission to increase transparency in the auctions and is set to revolutionise the space with her new company Docuwise.

Docuwise is AI for reviewing auction legal packs.

In the episode, we discuss:

·       Difficulties in understanding legal packs

·       Concerns about hidden fees by sellers

·       The evolution of auction services / software

·       Docuwise as an AI tool for summarizing complex legal documents

·       Transparency in auction transactions

·       How DocuWise integrates with EIG’s Auction Passport service

·       The benefits for auctioneers

·       Solicitors' workload and high costs affecting auction transactions

·       Examples of auction pitfalls due to unread legal packs

·       The capability of handling complex documents like commercial leases

·       Bulk purchase options for regular auction buyers

·       Importance of the DocuWise button as a signal for transparency

·       Examples of how DocuWise has highlighted hidden fees

·       Real-life use cases showing DocuWise's impact on auction transparency

I'd Like Help With Setting My Goals

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Join our Mailing List to join our WhatsApp  group AND access our 37 Question Due Diligence Checklist AND our 23 Step Guide to Buying Property at Auction AND our  Newsletter
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What's the one thing you’re struggling with in UK property

Where to meet Expat Property Investors (For FREE):

Hong Kong: Pacific Coffee, 2/F, Central Building, Central (1st Sat of month from 11:30 am)

Dubai: Holiday Inn, Science Park (1st Weds of month from 7pm)

Singapore: The Providore VivoCity (1st Sat of month  from 10:30 am)

Keywords

Expat UK property investment, Buying UK property remotely, UK property auctions, Legal packs for UK property, DocuWise auction review, Remote UK real estate investment, UK property for expats, AI for property auctions, UK property legal document review, Investing in UK property from abroad, UK property auction tip, Hidden fees in property auctions, Reviewing UK auction packs, Digital nomad UK property investment, Expat property buying guide, UK property investment challenges, Exploring UK property auctions, Streamlining UK auction purchases, UK auction legal packs, UK expat property podcast, Buying UK property at auction, Transparency in property auctions, UK property auction solutions, Efficient property research, Avoiding surprises in auctions, UK real estate for digital nomads, Auction property investment, Auction detective skills, Expat buying property UK, Remote auction property purchase

#211

This week, we show you how to buy, refurbish and refinance with speed and efficiency.   

Kirsty and Gary from Ormad Properties have been buying mostly two or three bed terraced houses in and around Leeds. 

They both had a property each when they first met and soon bought a third one together in 2014. 

But in 2020, they decided to scale their portfolio which now contains 23 properties, 20 of which are single lets and three Serviced Accommodation. 

Their business model relies on volume. 

They aim at turning projects around  in around 8 to 10 weeks in order to recycle as much of their funds as possible. 

During the episode, we discuss:

o   Importance of time and efficiency in property investment.

o   Their focus on low risk, volume, and quick project turnaround.

o   Importance of having a plan before property acquisition.

o   Lining up tradespeople and efficient scheduling.

o   Building relationships with tradespeople.

o   Importance of reliable and communicative trades over cost.

o   Importance of understanding property photos beyond decor.

o   Using Google Street View as a tool for checking property and area details.

o   Assessing property condition from photos 

o   Internal Property Inspection Tips

o   Key factors to inspect internally, particularly structural and utility aspects.

o   Signs of necessary repairs, especially electrical and plumbing.

o   Modernizing kitchens and bathrooms as part of a cost-effective renovation.

o   The balance between speed and quality in project completion.

o   Utilizing past project data to inform budget and timeline for new projects.

o   Advantages of buying properties at auctions for speed.

o   Strategic approach to bidding at auctions.

o   Pre-auction and post-auction buying techniques.

o   Discussion on the refinancing process and common delays.

o   Importance of starting refinancing before project completion.

o   Decision factors for choosing lenders and mortgage brokers.

o   The criteria Kirsty and Gary use to determine a good deal.

I'd Like Help With Setting My Goals

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Join our Mailing List to join our WhatsApp  group AND access our 37 Question Due Diligence Checklist AND our 23 Step Guide to Buying Property at Auction AND our  Newsletter
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What's the one thing you’re struggling with in UK property

Where to meet Expat Property Investors (For FREE):

Hong Kong: Pacific Coffee, 2/F, Central Building, Central (1st Sat of month from 11:30 am)

Dubai: Holiday Inn, Science Park (1st Weds of month from 7pm)

Singapore: The Providore VivoCity (1st Sat of month  from 10:30 am)

Keywords

Buy refurbish refinance, BRR projects, Property investment, Remote investors, UK property, Single lets, Serviced accommodation, Property portfolio, Refinance process, Project management, Bridging finance, Auction properties, Trade team, Renovation efficiency, Property valuation, Tenant agreements, Mortgage broker, Crime rates, Google Street View, Property photos, Renovation costs, Project timeline, Rental income, Tenant screening, Property surveys, EICR certification, Pla

#210

Most people invest in UK property because of its Long-term potential for capital growth

If you’re an expat, foreign national or any other kind of remote investor, then you probably tend to prefer strategies that require less hands-on management.

Unless you have friends or family in your chosen investment patch, then you’re going to need to work with people on the ground.

Despite what people will tell you, this is not passive investment. 

Even if you find a turnkey UK property partner, you need to understand as much about the sourcing and refurb process to make sure you are getting a good deal

This episode is here to help you do just that.

Romanian born George Samoila provides a turnkey service for remote investors looking to invest in Manchester.

During the episode, we discuss:

• Advantages of buy-to-let properties, particularly three-bed semis
• Property Sourcing and Working with Agents
• Sourcing methods: on-market, off-market, auctions, and partnerships
• Timeframes and hurdles in building agent relationships
• Preference for properties requiring minimal refurbishment
• Analysis of buying with cash versus mortgages
• Market conditions affecting property availability
• Importance of using sold subject to contract prices for valuation
• Challenges with land registry delays
• Tips for validating comparables and using agent insights
• Managing Refurbishments for Remote Investors
• Ensuring transparency and verification in refurb costs
• Using level two Homebuyers Reports
• Communication and monitoring of refurbishment progress
• New feature: property disasters
• Example of a social housing provider going bust
• Lessons learned from provider failures and importance of diversification
• Diversification

I'd Like Help With Setting My Goals

Leave an honest review of Expat Property Story
Join our Mailing List to join our WhatsApp  group AND access our 37 Question Due Diligence Checklist AND our 23 Step Guide to Buying Property at Auction AND our  Newsletter
Follow Us on Instagram
What's the one thing you’re struggling with in UK property

Where to meet Expat Property Investors (For FREE):

Hong Kong: Pacific Coffee, 2/F, Central Building, Central (1st Sat of month from 11:30 am)

Dubai: Holiday Inn, Science Park (1st Weds of month from 7pm)

Singapore: The Providore VivoCity (1st Sat of month  from 10:30 am)

Keywords

UK property investing, expat investors, remote investing, capital growth, turnkey service, property sourcing, Manchester property, buy to let, HMO, property refurbishing, mortgage, property management, capital appreciation, real estate strategies, property comparables, project management, long-term investment, property portfolio, social housing, level two homebuyers report, property disasters, property auctions, bridging finance, financial diversification, property conveyancing, rental yields, property location, refurbishment costs, property value, real estate due diligence.

#209

Damian Hughes, co-host of the High Performance podcast returns for the second half of our interview.

Last week, in Episode 208, we talked about how to create a culture for your organiasation, whether that's just you and a couple of others, or a huge organisation.

This week's show is mostly about Mindset.

Damian answers the question of how to motivate yourself on the days when you're not quite at the races.

During the episode, we discuss:

o   Importance of mindset for expats with a side hustle 

o   Discussion on how motivation can fluctuate and the importance of habits.

o   Reference to James Clear's idea that you fall to the level of your habits.

o   Difference between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation.

o   Use of autonomy, mastery, and belonging in maintaining motivation.

o   Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty and his commitment to winning.

o   CEO Toto Wolff and the complexity of happiness vs. performance.

o   Contentment and inner peace as alternatives to happiness

o   How individuals define their own high performance and happiness.

o   The difference between high performance and world-class performance.

o   Emotional Literacy and Self-awareness

o   Envy vs. jealousy.

o   Discussion on the importance of recognizing when to pivot and change goals.

o   Reference to Muhammad Ali’s long career and the role of one's support circle.

o   Ideal housemates: Brian Keenan, Eric Cantona, and his father.

o   Top books for mindset: Jonathan Haidt, Steve Biddulph, James Clear.

o   Importance of environment and community in achieving success.

I'd Like Help With Setting My Goals

Leave an honest review of Expat Property Story
Join our Mailing List to join our WhatsApp  group AND access our 37 Question Due Diligence Checklist AND our 23 Step Guide to Buying Property at Auction AND our  Newsletter
Follow Us on Instagram
What's the one thing you’re struggling with in UK property

Where to meet Expat Property Investors (For FREE):

Hong Kong: Pacific Coffee, 2/F, Central Building, Central (1st Sat of month from 11:30 am)

Dubai: Holiday Inn, Science Park (1st Weds of month from 7pm)

Singapore: The Providore VivoCity (1st Sat of month  from 10:30 am)

Keywords

Expat Property, Property Portfolio, UK Property Market, Building Portfolio, Property Investment, Real Estate Strategies, UK Property Investments, Expat Property Story, Property Success, High Performance Mindset, Portfolio Growth, Property Recruitment, Real Estate Motivation, UK Real Estate, Property Expert Tips, Investment Setbacks, Property Goals, Mindset for Success, Real Estate Achievements, UK Property Guide, Property Resilience, Investment Skills, Real Estate Habits, Motivational Property Tips, UK Property Opportunities, Property Network, Financial Goals, Real Estate Support, Expat Investment Advice, Property Lifestyle