#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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