This Week In Property Podcast

There are some people in life that when they find success, they stop. They bring the shutters down. They feel they've reached an end point. The very clever ones never stop. Never stop learning, never stop growing. One such example is today's guest, Robert Macfarlane...

> Listen to Robert speak of the decades of experience he's already built up in business and in property investing...

> Hear Robert talk about the family role model he learned from, and how he knew working for himself and building his own business was always on the cards for him...

> Robert shares the milestone moment when the quality and reputation of his work led to a simple referral that then skyrocketed his property business even further...

> Listen to Robert discuss both sides of the fence of the landlord investor and the lettings agent, and how to find the right agent to manage your portfolio...

> Robert shares the stories of the different life moments where his awareness could see market changes coming, and how he has continued to never stop learning new strategies and tactics...

The challenges preventing many young people from getting on the property ladder are many and well known. From basic supply and demand issues, to the financial hurdles of deposits and soaring prices.

But an almost hidden secret, which has actually been in place for several decades, exists as a solution to those challenges.

Shared Ownership.

In today's show, Mark Porter, Head of Partnerships at SO Resi Partnerships, explains what that solution is and how his team are on a crusade to reveal that hidden secret to the wider public and the key areas of the property market.

Listen to Mark reflect on the substantial and varied career background, which has led him to have the knowledge and insight into the differing and sometimes contrasting worlds of the public and private sectors. And also how that experience has skilled him in the true key area: the consumer, the end user, the home buyer.

Hear Mark cover the common misconceptions of Shared Ownership. and also what the true advantages and opportunities are.

Mark shares his opinions on the current market and challenges, and also his views on the changes in law and products that are sweeping in over the next five years.

Hear Mark describe how Housing Associations and Property Developers and Mortgage Lenders all have their parts to play, and importantly, have many exciting opportunities they can benefit from through real partnerships...

Keeping the consumer first in mind is something that has always been obvious and has been delivered by the likes of the tech wizards and creative types in the gaming and movie worlds, where their work is approved, accepted, and fanatically enjoyed by many millions of happy consumers.

In the property world, however, such devotion and focus on that end consumer has mostly been sadly lacking. The tenant. The resident. They often find themselves way down the list of priorities behind profits and planning designs.

But what if you could take those consumer-focused tech teams and get them to produce software that would benefit residents in new residential schemes in ways never before imagined?

That's where today's guest Jeremy Heath-Smith comes in. Former creator of the global sensation in the gaming and movie worlds - Tomb Raider - and now founder and CEO of Spike Global, the UK's leading resident engagement and property management software provider.

Jeremy shares the fascinating story of how the incredible transformation of Battersea Power Station brought him and his team into the world of property.

Jeremy gives a live demonstration during the show, of how Spike Global's software portal and messaging platform has transformed the engagement, integration, communication, and happiness and well-being enjoyed by the residents in that and other housing schemes in the UK.

See and hear about how developers can completely change their game when it comes to delivering for the end-customers: the landlords, the property managers, the residents, the tenants.

Listen to Jeremy talk about how his team's systems performed in ways they never imagined when the global pandemic swept across the landscape.

Efficiencies in building management, and control of logistics and operations within a scheme, yes. But more than that. Building and evolving thriving communities. Making people feel connected and supported. Enriching the lives of users and communities by creating better places to live and work...

In today's show, we chat with multi-award-winning professional business mentor Christine Nicholson.

Christine has been helping businesses in different sectors succeed for over 30 years. She has literally seen it all. And in 2021 she was named UK Business Mentor of the Year.

Christine speaks about the starting point of a business and the very crucial DOs and DON'Ts that an entrepreneur should focus on.

Then when it comes to what Christine likes to call "The Messy Middle" of a business' life, what are the actionable tips that we can use to increase the profits and value of the business, while working fewer hours and with less stress and anxiety.

And the part of the journey that few like to think about: the end. Christine talks of how 100% of business owners will in some way leave their business, so let's plan and prepare for that end. How, for example, can retiring business owners sell their companies for more money and on better terms so they can live the kind of retirement they dream of.

Today's show is packed with information, content, opinions, tips, swearing, and even some emotion!

That's because two friends and business partners from Express Mortgages are in town.

And when these two gents invade Scotland from Englandshire, they come packing, and they don't hold their punches. Straight talking and solving property funding puzzles are their key skills.

However, as you'll hear from the conversation, it's also always done with a ton of integrity and a massive heart. Giving quality time and consideration to their clients is an ethos that runs deep in their company and throughout their amazing team.

Steve and Paul cover every angle, answer every question, and don't hold back in any way.

> We talked about the standard residential market and all of the options and products available from lenders, both standard mainstream and also highly bespoke... > We covered the booming buy-to-let and serviced accommodation areas, with the gents offering insights and advice for all levels of investors out there...

> Steve and Paul tackled all of the assumed obstacles that investors believe are out there, and explained how there are always ways and options for analysing a problem...

> And we covered the use of funding with bigger developments and new build sites...

Yann Murciano is a man who has always spotted inefficiencies and then made it his mission to clear them away to reach the opportunities that lie behind them...

It's an observational skill that has followed him through his finance and banking career, his time working in the markets in the United States, through his migration to the City of London, and deep into the UK's property market.

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> Yann and his team at Blend Network are deliberately shaking up the property lending market, which he sees as having rested on its comfortable laurels for too long...

> Listen to Yann speak about the focus he has on the end-customer experience, the property developers who are being thwarted by ancient and confusing lending practices...

> Hear Yann talk about the key areas where he sees efficiencies and improvements able to bring about real change for all concerned...

> Yann doesn't hold back with his opinions about the lack of transparency and the lack of regulation that he sees slowing or completely preventing property developers being able to deliver on their projects...

> Listen to Yann speak about his fascinating career path and the qualifications and experiences which have combined to enable him to have a laser focus on where his company can deliver with efficiency and quality...

> Hear Yann explain the impressive capital that Blend Network has amassed and how they're looking to forge long-term relationships with developers seeking to work on their pipelines of projects...

There are a good number of property developers doing business in the UK. All in different locations, providing different properties, and in different ways.

Today on the show, we hear from one that's not just doing business, but which is successfully operating a 'Profit for Purpose' business model to directly help the community that it serves.

And Managing Director Christopher Heath is with us to tell that story of Cube Homes...

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> Learn about Christopher's own career journey, which has provided a wealth of knowledge and experience in the property world...

> Hear about Cube Homes' focus on quality and customers...

> Listen to Christopher speak about how Cube Homes aims to help its customers choose with both brain and heart...

> Hear about the global interest in Cube Homes, and a Hong Kong-specific tale with its customers...

> Listen to Christopher speak about the challenges and the satisfactions that Cube Homes has found through its projects...

> Hear Christopher's opinions on planning, on build changes, and on design elements with fuel sources and parking requirements...

> Listen to the exciting short-term pilot-scheme plans and bold long-term country expansion plans that Christopher has for the company...

There's a massive buzz around land and development in the property industry at this time. So who better to speak to about the subject than someone who has been in the game for more than 20 years, and who has built a land, development and investment agency that has done over £1.5 billion in property transactions. That person just happens to be today's guest on This Week In Property, Sam Murphy from Highfield Investments.

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Listen to Sam speak about the importance of 'pounding the beat' and walking your area for opportunity, and how just such a walk in the snow brought a development that remains one of his most treasured memories.

Hear Sam's take on the abundance of online tools and technologies in today's market that can help scan and source opportunities across the country.

Listen to Sam explain the process of how his company analyses an opportunity and then takes it to completion with their key power team mitigating risks and maximising returns.

Sam shares some of the major developments he's enjoyed success from, and also some of the challenges that have brought the biggest lessons for him.

Hear Sam's opinions on the market, how he reviews the last few years with the pandemic, and how he hopes things unfold in the future...