In this episode of First Deal Diaries, I sit down with Jim Hobson, a retired Army veteran who now runs his own IT consultancy business alongside building a property portfolio. Jim shares the story behind his first deal — a three-bed house in Gloucester that he transformed into a six-bed professional HMO.

From drainage setbacks and redesigns to project management headaches, Jim opens up about the realities of turning plans into profit. We talk about resilience, leadership, and the lessons that come from trusting your gut and building the right team.

If you’re balancing a career with your first property project, this episode is packed with practical advice, perspective, and proof that discipline and determination can take you a long way in property.

In this episode of First Deal Diaries, I chat with Dan Norcross, who swapped a 25-year engineering career for life as a property investor and founder of Regal Relocations. Dan shares how he spotted a gap in the contractor accommodation market, secured six houses in just 24 hours, and built a £20K-a-month serviced accommodation business alongside his full-time job.

We talk honestly about the highs, the hurdles, and the lessons learned — from juggling corporate life and spreadsheets to managing rapid growth. If you’re thinking about starting in property or scaling your first deal, this one’s packed with practical insights, mindset shifts, and proof that it’s never too late for a career change!