Practical Property Talk

Today’s guest – @Sharon – dives deep into the idea that you are your first client.

It’s about recognising that where you are right now… is exactly where you’re meant to be.

From years in teaching to a turning point in 2017 at a property seminar, Sharon set herself a two-year target — and smashed it. What shines through her story is pure persistence and consistency.

Even after a serious accident left her with a shattered ankle, she didn’t stop. From her recovery bed, she picked up the phone, built relationships with agents, and kept her vision alive.

We also touch on the book “Shooting the Monkey,” which helped Sharon master the emotional side of success — learning to release the outcome and focus on the process.

A powerful reminder that resilience isn’t built when things are easy — it’s built when life tests both your ankle and your attitude. And when you combine that with strong due diligence and the courage to trust your gut… that’s when real progress happens. ''With intentions you can achieve so much more than you think''

Another great chat with someone else we have crossed paths with in the property world.

thank you so much for your time and until next week

The world of property never fails to amaze me.

This week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with a fellow local investor from my own hometown of Benfleet, Essex — Jai Reason.

After stepping away from professional football and welcoming his first child, Jai decided it was time to take charge of his next chapter and dive head-first into the world of property. Inside the football bubble, life after the game often isn’t talked about — but Jai made the most of those long away trips, using the time to read, learn, and prepare for what came next.

Fast forward to today, and he’s built a thriving rent-to-rent serviced accommodation business, carrying over many of the traits that made him successful on the pitch — discipline, teamwork, and resilience. Now, he’s just been given the green light to take on a 24-bed guest house — a huge milestone in his journey.

From classroom to cashflow — this week’s guest proves that property can be the ultimate career pivot.

I sat down with former teacher Steph, who after dipping her toes into property soon built a portfolio strong enough to leave teaching behind. But before she stepped out, she left her students with one powerful lesson: communication is a life skill that can change everything.

Steph’s journey started with a simple spark — realising that bricks and mortar don’t answer back. Once she discovered the creative ways money can be used in property, she knew it was time to make the leap.

As the conversation unfolds, we both share how vital communication is — not just in business, but in life. If more of us learned earlier how to make money work for us, and how to talk to people the right way, the journey would be a lot smoother.

Steph also nailed it with her description of the property world: “It’s like a game of snakes and ladders — plenty of ups and downs, but enjoyment all the same.”

Another brilliant chat, packed with nuggets, insights, and a good dose of motivation.

Until next week,

Best regards

WOWS — can’t believe I slipped and missed uploading the last few Friday pods.

But don’t worry, we’re back on track now, the tech gremlins are sorted, and the weekly round-ups are rolling again.

As September draws to a close and we head into October, the days might be getting shorter, but the workload is only getting bigger. The team’s been pushing hard, and we’ve seen some really positive progression. A few properties are deep in conveyancing — fingers crossed we’ll be getting them across the line in the coming weeks. That said, from the chats I’ve been having out and about, it seems the whole process is dragging longer than ever right now.

Still, it feels good to be back with the Friday round-up, and we’re on course to deliver one a week for the year. Consistency wins, and we’re keeping that promise.

Until next Friday,

Gav

Don’t be afraid to ask.

It’s a theme that comes up time and again in these conversations — follow the systems, stick to the structure, and lean on others when you need to. This week’s guest, Barry White, brings that lesson home perfectly.

Barry takes us through an incredible journey in property. From being unmortgageable after three years abroad, to borrowing money from family just to get started… and now onto writing books, coaching and mentoring others, and even working on a shopping centre project.

For me, the conversation hit a sweet spot when Barry shared a fundraising tactic I personally use and always encourage others to try — proving once again that you shouldn’t be afraid to talk to people. Over time, those chats lead to golden nuggets of knowledge, new perspectives, and ultimately the power to progress.

From the outset, Barry makes it clear: having the right coaching and training is essential not just for property, but for business in general. And for those wondering where to start, the classic Rich Dad, Poor Dad once again gets a well-deserved mention — a book that’s shaped countless journeys and continues to open eyes.

Plenty of value, plenty of inspiration — enjoy the listen.

Until next week,

Best regards

“Just turn up.” Sounds simple, doesn’t it? But the more I sit down with property professionals, the more I realise that those who truly progress all have one thing in common — the consistency of showing up. And Tony Buck captures that perfectly in this chat.

Tony made a huge life pivot, took on property training, and hasn’t looked back since. His story is full of energy, inspiration, and a crystal-clear vision of what he wants to build through property.

What stands out most is Tony’s balance — he genuinely enjoys his “job” as a teacher, using the freedom it gives him to build his portfolio while continuing to inspire and guide the next generation. Not many can say they love what they do while also building for the future — but Tony’s that exception.

A fantastic conversation, packed with motivation and lessons for anyone starting or scaling in the game.

Until next time,

Best regards

Downing tools, moving hundreds of miles from home, throwing yourself out of your comfort zone… then completing on 10 houses in a year and building a £1.5 million portfolio. Now that’s a story worth telling.

This week I sat down with Martin Adams to hear about his journey and the path that got him here.

From the first word, you can feel Martin’s passion. The confidence, the energy — it’s infectious. But it wasn’t always like that. It took the shock of Covid, and the tough life choices that came with it, for Martin to really step out, put himself on the line, and go after the life he wanted.

What follows is an encouraging story that proves effort and determination do pay off. Martin highlights the importance of networking, of listening to those a few steps ahead, and of creating a clear action plan. As I say time and again — making that plan, setting the structure, and sticking to the system is what separates dreamers from doers.

Massive congratulations to Martin on what he’s achieved in such a short space of time. No doubt his next chapter will be just as inspiring — and we’ll be following closely.

Until next week,

Best regards

The journey rolls on — and this week we sat down with Dan Fatica.

We first crossed paths at a networking event in London with Mark Dalton, and his story stuck with me straight away.

Fresh out of university, Dan landed a role at a brokerage. Surrounded by investors and developers using creative bridging finance, he didn’t just sit back and watch — he started “collecting” properties himself. By 23, he was putting that knowledge into action, grinding through the week in London, then heading to his parents’ place on Friday before shooting down to South Wales for the weekend. Those sacrifices — the miles, the hours, the discipline — are the parts of the story that don’t get told enough.

Fast forward to today, and Dan’s still building his South Wales portfolio — but he’s also gone further, launching his own brokerage and now lending out up to £8 million of funds he’s personally raised. Serious graft, serious results.

Once again, these conversations remind us of the power of environment, network, and actually putting into practice what you learn. Dan’s story is proof that when you back education with execution, doors open.

Big thanks to Dan for sharing his journey and insights.

Until next week,

Best regards

Here we go — first week of the month, and that means one thing… our monthly networking session at the legendary Halfway House in Brentwood. Another solid turnout, another chance to reconnect with our growing community, and once again a powerful reminder of how important it is to stay consistent and accountable in this game.

Later in the week, I hit up another cracking event to keep the momentum going and expand the network even further — always eyes open, always building.

Our monthly rhythm of catching up with agents and reviewing the portfolio at the start of each month is paying dividends. The system’s working, performance is improving, and it’s another step forward in the bigger plan.

Until next week,

Best regards

The more I sit down with experienced business owners who’ve successfully exited, the clearer one thing becomes: Fail faster.It’s a phrase that keeps cropping up, and the deeper I dive, the more sense it makes.In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Rachel — who started her journey in lettings at just 16. With the right network, strong mentors, and a ton of graft, she went on to build and successfully exit her own lettings and estate agency. What she shared wasn’t just about bricks and mortar — it was about real business growth, the value of time, and truly understanding what your company is worth.This one goes deeper than expected — not just a surface chat about deals, but a genuine insight into the patterns that successful entrepreneurs keep repeating. Whether you're in property or any other business, one truth stands firm:👉 The work comes first, and the passive income follows.There’s no shortcut. No magic button. Just time in the market, experience, and relationships that help you navigate the long game.Big thanks to Rachel for her honesty and openness — and for reminding me how grateful I am for what we’re building, the people we’re building it with, and the lessons we pick up along the way.Plenty of gold in this one.Take what you need – and enjoy the listen.Until next week,Best regards,Gav | 83 Property