In the latest episode of the Business of Property podcast, host Simon is joined by Stuart French, co-owner of Pineapple Group. Stuart imparts his expertise on navigating the myriad of challenges in the property investment landscape, from tax hurdles to financial planning and property management. Stuart's journey in property investment is nothing short of inspiring. Imagine achieving an infinite return on your first property investment! That's exactly what Stuart did with a property he bought for £130,000 and, after some extensive renovations, refinanced for £210,000. His background as a struct ..read more

Host Simon is joined by Simon Glastonbury, a seasoned independent mortgage broker. They note an uptick in available properties but a corresponding dip in buyer urgency, and round-up the latest mortgage rates. They delve into the nuances of the UK property market, noting an uptick in available properties but a corresponding dip in buyer urgency, which may lead to transaction delays. Simon G sheds light on the high fall-through rates and the emotional toll of collapsed deals. He also touches on lenders' meticulousness in the mortgage process, the challenges of down valuations, and options for de ..read more

In this insightful episode of the Business of Property podcast, Simon chats with Philip Mallourides, a seasoned property investor, to unravel his unique property journey from rent-to-rent (before it was) to blocks of auction purchased flats. Philip recounts how he inadvertently became a landlord in 1996, a move encouraged by market conditions. He shares his early experiences in property management and the evolution of the rent-to-rent model. The episode takes a poignant turn as Philip openly discusses his conviction and subsequent imprisonment, which led to a complete loss of his property port ..read more

In this episode of The Business of Property podcast, co-hosts Simon and Stuart delve into the realities of managing property businesses. Stuart reflects on the lessons learned throughout his property journey so far. The discussion provides valuable insights into the challenges and successes of running a property business, as shared by Stuart from his personal experience. Join our email newsletter for extra, exclusive resources. Episode links: Stuart's £35k/month HMO business. The spreadsheet. Find us on Twitter, YouTube or LinkedIn: Stuart, Simon. Subscribe to The Business of Property podcas ..read more

In this episode of the Business of Property podcast, co-hosts Stuart and Simon engage in a lively debate about the meaning of a "real property business". Simon presents a scenario where a property business makes a loss initially due to investment and maintenance costs but still generates income through rentals. Stuart stresses the importance of real-world profitability and is sceptical about a business that only shows a 5.1% return after four years. They explore the implications of accounting for profit and tax strategies, with differing views on when a property business should be considered g ..read more

Simon and Stuart engage in a detailed conversation about the complexities of managing a diverse property portfolio. They discuss the unique challenges that come with different types of properties, such as buy-to-let, commercial spaces, serviced accommodation, and HMOs. They stress the importance of having a clear strategy and understanding what 'freedom' and 'legacy' mean to you, and within the realm of property investment. Stuart advises taking time to reflect on personal goals, while Simon talks about the option of outsourcing management tasks to streamline a portfolio. The episode is a deep ..read more

In this episode, Stuart, Simon, and resident mortgage broker Simon Glastonbury discuss the recent budget's impact on property businesses. They cover the VAT threshold increase, the capital gains tax reduction for property sellers, and the decrease in the tax-free allowance. Stuart welcomes tax reductions, while Simon Glastonbury highlights how the lower allowance might negate tax rate benefits for some. They address the budget's effects on landlords and first-time buyers, expressing disappointment over the absence of 99% loan-to-value mortgages. They also debate the abolition of multiple dwell ..read more

Stuart and Simon delve into the UK house price index, discussing its meaning for the property market and examining regional price variations. They note a slight national decrease in property prices but highlight significant regional disparities. Personal anecdotes from Simon and Stuart reveal a more complex market situation than the statistics suggest, with properties still attracting offers near or above the asking price. The conversation also covers the rental market, observing shifts in tenant behavior and the balance of demand and supply. The episode offers a nuanced look at the property m ..read more

Stuart and Simon explore the financial journey of Simon's property business. They start with the 2016-2017 tax year, where Simon's three buy-to-let properties yielded £36,000 in revenue and £29,000 in pre-tax profit. The conversation then covers the challenges posed by Section 24, which affected mortgage interest tax relief, increasing costs and reducing profits. Despite this, Simon remains focused on the long-term advantages of property investment, such as capital gains and equity growth. Stuart acknowledges the hard work behind managing a property portfolio, and together they shed light on t ..read more

Stuart and Simon share strategies for landlords on finding and selecting tenants for rental properties. They discuss the importance of preparing the property, taking quality photos, and writing effective listings. They explore options for advertising on rental portals and the benefits of self-managing the process versus using agents. The duo also talks about using automated emails to screen enquiries and the use of software to grade potential tenants. They share their approaches to scheduling viewings and the selection process, emphasizing the cost savings and relationship-building aspects of ..read more