This Property Life Podcast

Ready to grow your property business without the hype? Start your free two-month membership trial with This Property Life today! https://bit.ly/this-propertylife-memebership——————————————————————In this episode of This Property Life, host Sarah Blaney speaks with Esther Smith, a successful property investor, corporate contractor, and busy parent. Together with her husband Mark, Esther has built a portfolio of HMOs leased to supported living providers such as Serco. The conversation explores how to strategically balance property investing with a demanding career and family life, and dives into the practicalities and pitfalls of the supported housing model.Esther Smith is a contractor in the corporate world and a mother of young children, one of whom has autism. Esther brings a realistic, no-frills perspective to property investing, blending analytical skills, financial forecasting, and an acute awareness of social needs to build a portfolio with both purpose and profit.What You'll Learn:Why supported living HMOs can be a smart long-term investment strategyThe real timelines and work involved before a property begins cash flowingHow to manage property investing alongside a demanding job and family lifeTips on working with providers like Serco and handling bureaucratic challengesThe importance of aligning investment strategies with personal and family goalsTimestamps[00:00] – Introduction to the Episode[02:18] – Why Esther chose property investing alongside a corporate career[04:32] – Transitioning to HMOs and choosing supported living as a strategy[06:08] – Challenges of property management and moving outside London[08:31] – The importance of patience and persistence in property[11:15] – The true timeline to cash flow a supported living HMO[19:30] – What to expect during refurb and compliance processes[26:24] – Lease signing: navigating Serco’s contracts and requirements[32:28] – Lending, insurance, and operational costs: myth vs reality[42:01] – Long-term goals, charitable aspirations, and future plans[47:37] – Wrapping up: advice on staying focused and aligned with your goals[51:37] – Where to connect with Esther SmithThis Episode is Kindly Sponsored by:Visit thispropertylife.co.uk for more resources, networking events, and industry insights.Follow Esther Smith Socials:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/esthersmith1Website: https://espeopleandchange.com/Follow Sarah Blaney Socials:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahpropertyandbusiness/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.blaney.1232Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah.in.property/Follow This Property Life Podcast on Socials:Website:https://thispropertylife.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thispropertylife/# Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564457166712&locale=en_GB Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/this-property-life-podcast/id1540075591 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ULlN2eRKWojGRAkiSa0mZ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-property-life-podcast/about/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thispropertylifeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtmPj98bC6swNuYRCaUGPUg Twitter: https://x.com/propertylifepod

Ready to grow your property business without the hype? Start your free two-month membership trial with This Property Life today! https://bit.ly/this-propertylife-memebership——————————————————————In this episode of This Property Life, host Sarah Blaney speaks with Jake Colwill, an experienced property investor and developer based in Bristol. Jake shares how he and his partner Lucy have built a smart, sustainable property business by flipping properties to generate capital, which they then reinvest into high-quality HMOs in premium southern markets. What You'll Learn:How flipping properties can fuel long-term investment in high-value areas.Why Jake and Lucy focus on tight geographic areas and niche property types.Smart strategies for sourcing off-market deals through relationships and persistence.The mechanics of high-end HMO investing in Article 4 areas, including planning and valuation tips.How to build and maintain a scalable, sustainable property business with clear strategic focus.Timestamps[02:39] - The Origins of Their Strategy[06:03] - Freehold Blocks and Title Splits[09:22] - Sourcing Off-Market Deals[16:02] - Structuring Their Business[19:01] - What Makes a Premium HMO[22:01] - Valuations: Commercial vs. Bricks & Mortar[24:37] - Hold Strategy and Long-Term Thinking[27:36] - Building Momentum Through Niching[30:29] - Final Thoughts and Resilience in PropertyThis Episode is Kindly Sponsored by:Visit thispropertylife.co.uk for more resources, networking events, and industry insights.Follow Jake Colwill Socials:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-colwill-1279b9104/?originalSubdomain=ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jake_colwill/LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/innova-property/Website (Company): https://www.innova-property.com/Follow This Property Life Podcast on Socials:Website:https://thispropertylife.co.uk/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/this-property-life-podcast/id1540075591 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ULlN2eRKWojGRAkiSa0mZ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtmPj98bC6swNuYRCaUGPUg 

Ready to grow your property business without the hype? Start your free two-month membership trial with This Property Life today! https://bit.ly/this-propertylife-memebership——————————————————————In this episode of This Property Life, host Sarah Blaney is joined by property expert Wendy Whitaker-Large to tackle a provocative and controversial question: Are landlords responsible for the housing crisis? Wendy offers a balanced and experience-led take as they explore key topics such as supply planning, government policy, investor behavior, and what’s really driving the shortage of homes in the UK. What You'll Learn:The debate around secondhand properties and how landlords help refurbish homes.How the media's London-centric perspective distorts the national housing debate.How the Thatcher-era "Right to Buy" policy contributed to the current shortage of affordable homes.The role of small builders in helping to alleviate this crisis, compared to large national developers.A discussion about the government's reliance on private landlords for social housing.Timestamps[01:04] - Introduction of Wendy Whitaker[02:28] - Secondhand Properties & Landlord Refurbishments[06:05] - Media's London Focus[08:09] - Home Ownership and Affordability[12:30] - Right to Buy & Housing Shortage[16:56] - Government Debt & Economic Challenges[21:23] - Small Builders vs. Large Developers[31:19] - Government's Reliance on Private Landlords[40:58] - Renters’ Rights Bill Impact[50:46] - Conclusion and Final ThoughtsThis Episode is Kindly Sponsored by:Visit thispropertylife.co.uk for more resources, networking events, and industry insights.Follow Wendy Whittaker Socials:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/m/in/wendy-whittaker-largeWebsite: https://www.wendywl.uk/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendywlarge/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendy_whittakerlarge/Follow This Property Life Podcast on Socials:Website:https://thispropertylife.co.uk/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/this-property-life-podcast/id1540075591 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ULlN2eRKWojGRAkiSa0mZ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtmPj98bC6swNuYRCaUGPUg 

Ready to grow your property business without the hype? Start your free two-month membership trial with This Property Life today! https://bit.ly/this-propertylife-memebership——————————————————————In this episode of This Property Life, host Sarah Blaney speaks with Michael Dean, co-founder of Avamore Capital, about the current challenges facing UK property developers. What You'll Learn:Why do smaller and mid-sized developers have more room for creative deal structuringThe importance of flexibility and negotiation when working with landownersWhat funders are really looking for in today’s marketHow to identify the right landowners for JV or deferred payment dealsStrategies to stay resilient and invest smartly in a challenging property climateTimestamps[02:34] - Michael’s Background[05:36] - Build Cost Inflation, Slow Sales, And Landowner Expectations[09:00] - Why Small-To-Mid Deals Offer More Flexibility[14:38] - Deferred Payments, Overage, Jv Agreements[21:49] - Finding The Right Landowners: Motivated & Pressurised Sellers[29:44] - Operator Vs. Discretionary Developer Mentality[34:24] - Outlook On Interest Rates And The Market Bottom[42:42] - Political Risks And Budget Speculations[45:27] - Final Thoughts & Getting In TouchThis Episode is Kindly Sponsored by:Visit thispropertylife.co.uk for more resources, networking events, and industry insights.Follow Michael Dean Socials:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/propertyfunder/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/property_funder/LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/avamore-capital/Instagram (Company): https://www.instagram.com/avamorecapital/Instagram (Podcast): https://www.instagram.com/thepfppodcast/Follow This Property Life Podcast on Socials:Website:https://thispropertylife.co.uk/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/this-property-life-podcast/id1540075591 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ULlN2eRKWojGRAkiSa0mZ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtmPj98bC6swNuYRCaUGPUg 

Ready to grow your property business without the hype? Start your free two-month membership trial with This Property Life today! https://bit.ly/this-propertylife-memebership——————————————————————In this episode of This Property Life, host Sarah Blaney sits down with Michael Langley, a small-scale property developer who has built his business through smart partnerships and a clear vision. What You'll Learn:How Michael’s architectural skills contribute to the development processHow Michael and Christian structured their JV to leverage their combined skill setsThe process Michael uses to evaluate sites, including market research and feasibility studiesHow to mitigate risks related to planning, cost overruns, and managing timelinesSubcontractor management, cost of materials, and dealing with unexpected delaysTimestamps[02:12] - Michael's transition from architecture to property development[06:22] - Michael discusses meeting his business partner, Christian[11:57] - How profit and project responsibilities are split in their JVs[19:13] - Explanation of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) and their operational structure[23:55] - The cost breakdown of building in different areas[31:24] - Case study of their current development project in Forest Hill, London[42:03] - Challenges in construction costs and subcontractor management[46:34] - Planning delays and the frustrations with under-resourced planning departments[57:26] - Stress-testing deals to ensure investor returns even with market fluctuations[59:47] - Michael’s advice for new developersThis Episode is Kindly Sponsored by:Visit thispropertylife.co.uk for more resources, networking events, and industry insights.Follow Michael Langley Socials:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-langley-mla/?originalSubdomain=ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mlangleyproperty/Follow MLA Architecture Ltd:Website: https://mla-architecture.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mlaarchitecture/Follow Turnkey Developments Ltd:Website: https://www.turnkey-developments.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/turnkey_developments/Follow This Property Life Podcast on Socials:Website: https://thispropertylife.co.uk/ 

Ready to grow your property business without the hype? Start your free two-month membership trial with This Property Life today! https://bit.ly/this-propertylife-memebership——————————————————————In this episode of This Property Life, Sarah Blaney welcomes back property expert James Lynch to look into title splitting. While James’s expertise centers on splitting freehold buildings into leasehold units, the practical strategies he shares today are transferable to almost any property transaction. What You'll Learn:How to use prop tech tools to source profitable deals more efficiently.Clever ways to legally reduce stamp duty through commercial classifications.Techniques for conducting due diligence remotely to save time and travel.Why expediting title registration can save thousands on bridging finance.Timestamps[02:00] - Tip #1: Use PropTech to Source Smart[04:41] - Tip #2: Go Off-Market[05:50] - Tip #3: Save on Stamp Duty (Legally)[08:39] - Tip #4: Due Diligence from a Distance[14:17] - Tip #5: Work with the Right Solicitors[18:16] - Tip #6: Save on Lease Plans[22:54] - Tip #7: Get the Right Valuer[29:13] - Tip #8: Choose the Right Lender and Broker[31:57] - Tip #9: Expedite Title Registration[34:07] - Conclusion & How to Contact JamesThis Episode is Kindly Sponsored by:Visit thispropertylife.co.uk for more resources, networking events, and industry insights.Follow James Lynch Socials:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameshlynch/?originalSubdomain=ukWebsite: http://www.thetitlesplitconsultant.co.uk/LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/thetitlesplitconsultant/Facebook (Company): https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Title-Split-Consultant-61564947800547/Instagram (Company): https://www.instagram.com/thetitlesplitconsultant/?hl=enFollow This Property Life Podcast:Website:https://thispropertylife.co.uk/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/this-property-life-podcast/id1540075591 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ULlN2eRKWojGRAkiSa0mZ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtmPj98bC6swNuYRCaUGPUg 

Ready to grow your property business without the hype? Start your free two-month membership trial with This Property Life today! https://bit.ly/this-propertylife-memebership——————————————————————In this episode of This Property Life, host Sarah Blaney looks into the world of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) with seasoned investor Henry Davis. With over 30 years of experience, Henry shares the practical lessons he's learned from building and managing both small and large-scale HMOs. What You'll Learn:Why soundproofing and room design are critical for tenant retention in HMOsHow to future-proof your properties to stay compliant with changing regulationsThe financial and legal advantages of going back to brick when developing HMOsSmart sourcing and furnishing strategies that balance quality with costHow to choose properties that are more likely to gain planning permission, even in Article 4 areasTimestamps[03:45] - Why Henry chose HMOs for better cash flow[05:13] - Design pitfalls and why most HMOs fail at tenant retention[11:26] - Choosing your tenant avatar: professionals vs. students[20:33] - Furniture, fittings, and clever layout tips for durability[26:16] - How to create inviting, robust communal areas[36:32] - Scaling up: large HMOs, planning permission, and property selection[38:16] - Data-driven investing and mastering local planning policy[42:51] - Budgeting, working with QSs, and paying builders wisely[55:03] - Final advice, practical tips, and where to find Henry’s resourcesThis Episode is Kindly Sponsored by:Visit thispropertylife.co.uk for more resources, networking events, and industry insights.Follow Henry Davis Socials:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henrydavisproperty/Website: https://henrydavisproperty.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/henrydavisproperty/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HenryDavisPropertyFollow This Property Life Podcast on Socials:Website:https://thispropertylife.co.uk/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/this-property-life-podcast/id1540075591 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ULlN2eRKWojGRAkiSa0mZ  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtmPj98bC6swNuYRCaUGPUg 

Ready to grow your property business without the hype? Start your free two-month membership trial with This Property Life today! https://bit.ly/this-propertylife-memebership ——————————————————————In the fourth and final episode of the "Controlling the Uncontrollables" mini-series, Nick and Caroline look into one of the biggest fears in property development: working with builders and contractors. From sourcing reliable tradespeople to managing quotes, timelines, and red flags, this episode arms property investors with practical insights to help them navigate the tricky terrain of contractor relationships.What You'll Learn:The critical qualities of a good contractor and how to spot red flags early.Why pricing up refurbs before an offer is accepted can backfire.Where and how to find reputable builders in your investment area.The importance of clearly defining spec levels and managing contractor relationships.How to protect yourself financially when working with tradespeople.Timestamps[02:58] - What Makes a Good Contractor[06:37] - Why You Don’t Need a Builder Before a Deal[09:35] - Estimating Refurb Costs Independently[12:56] - Finding Reputable Builders[16:35] - What to Ask When Vetting a Builder[21:44] - Setting Expectations and Incentivising Deadlines[28:59] - Spotting Red Flags and Trusting Your Gut[40:50] - Payment Terms and Financial Protection[48:12] - Looking Ahead: Buying Boring BusinessesThis Episode is Kindly Sponsored by:Visit thispropertylife.co.uk for more resources, networking events, and industry insights.Follow Caroline Claydon Socials:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-claydon-property   Website: https://www.carolineclaydon.com/ Follow Nick Claydon Socials:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-c-651a141a1/ Follow This Property Life Podcast on Socials:Website: https://thispropertylife.co.uk/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/this-property-life-podcast/id1540075591 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ULlN2eRKWojGRAkiSa0mZ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-property-life-podcast/about/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtmPj98bC6swNuYRCaUGPUg 

Ready to grow your property business without the hype? Start your free two-month membership trial with This Property Life today! https://bit.ly/this-propertylife-memebership——————————————————————In this episode, Sarah Blaney and Nick Claydon respond directly to a recent BBC Panorama documentary on the UK government's ambitious pledge to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029. What You'll Learn:Why the government’s 1.5 million homes promise might as well be fictionHow Thatcher’s Right to Buy scheme broke the social housing systemWhy apprenticeships dried up, and why nobody wants to be a bricklayer anymoreHow local councillors and planning committees kill good developmentWhat “grey belt” land is, and why it could be the real answer to housing shortagesTimestamps[03:02] - Housing Crisis Origins: Thatcher, Right to Buy & No Replacements[04:57] - Construction Chaos: Brexit, Boomers & University Overload[09:10] - The Fantasy of 1.5 Million New Homes[12:16] - Why Landlords Aren’t the Villains You Think[15:24] - Greenbelt vs Grey Belt: The Land We Can’t Touch[20:17] - Planning Hell: Local Council Shenanigans[27:31] - Eight Years for Planning on a Brownfield Site[29:34] - Nutrient Neutrality, Sewage, and 40-Year Mistakes[32:48] - Final Thoughts: How Do We Fix This?This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by:Visit thispropertylife.co.uk for more resources, networking events, and industry insights.Follow Sarah Blaney Socials:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahpropertyandbusiness/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.blaney.1232Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah.in.property/Follow Nick Claydon Socials:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-c-651a141a1/ Follow This Property Life Podcast on Socials:Website:https://thispropertylife.co.uk/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/this-property-life-podcast/id1540075591 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ULlN2eRKWojGRAkiSa0mZ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-property-life-podcast/about/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtmPj98bC6swNuYRCaUGPUg