Milesh and Sadie: Property Talks

Should property investments and property developments sit in the same limited company? When should you use an SPV and is your property business still structured properly for where you're heading? Property developer, strategic adviser and coach  Milesh Lakhani  is joined by  Habib Brora BA(Hons) FCCA,Partner at Rothmans , to discuss  property tax, limited companies, SPVs and how business struct...

Are smart homes really worth it? Which smart home technology is genuinely useful and what should you be planning into a renovation or new build now? In  Series 6, Episode 2 of Milesh & Sadie: Property Talks , interior designer  Sadie Pizzey  is joined by  Richard Coleman, founder of Luxe Smart Homes , to discuss  smart home technology, home automation and how to create a connected home that ma...

How much does it really cost to renovate a house in the UK — and why do renovation budgets so often spiral? In Episode 1 of Series 6 of  Milesh & Sadie: Property Talks ,interior designer  Sadie Pizzey  and property developer,strategic adviser and coach  Milesh Lakhani  unpack the realityof  renovation costs, construction budgets and property development costs  in today's market. Rising lab...

Most successful property businesses, careers and projects aren't built on hundreds of decisions. They're built on a handful of decisions that change everything. In the final episode of Series 5 of  Milesh & Sadie:Property Talks , we reflect on the decisions that had the biggest impact on our careers, businesses and lives—and the lessons they can teach anyone involved in property, desig...

Luxury renovations often come with bigger budgets, ambitious plans and higher expectations. But creating an exceptional home requires far more than money. It requires good decisions, clear communication, careful planning and the right team around you. In this episode of Milesh & Sadie Property Talks, interior designer Sadie Pizzey is joined by Chris from Collyer Construction to discuss what re...

Property developers often focus heavily on acquisition, planning, construction and finance. But one of the most valuable sources of market intelligence is often overlooked. Estate agents spend every day speaking to buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants. They see changing demand, buyer behaviour and market trends in real time—often longbefore they appear in reports or market data. In this episode...

Whether you're planning a renovation, property development project, extension, refurbishment or property investment, the decisions made before work begins often have the biggest impact on the final outcome. In this episode of Milesh & Sadie Property Talks, property developer and strategic advisor Milesh Lakhani and interior designer Sadie Pizzey discuss the questions they believe every hom...

Most property development projects don't lose money when the deal is purchased They lose money during construction. In this episode of Milesh & Sadie Property Talks, property developer and strategic advisor Milesh Lakhani is joined by Chris Collyer, founder of Collyer Construction, to discuss the common mistakes that reduce profit, delay projectsand impact returns across property developme...

In today's UK property market, the rules have changed. Higher interest rates, rising build costs, tighter margins and changing buyer expectations mean property developers, property investors and homeowners can nolonger rely on the strategies that worked in the past. In this episode of Milesh & Sadie Property Talks, property developer and strategic advisor Milesh Lakhani and interior design...

Should you convert your property into an HMO in the UK? Higher income can be attractive — but it comes with increased complexity, regulation, and management. In this episode, Milesh Lakhani and Sadie Pizzey break down whether converting to an HMO is the right move in today’s UK property market. We cover:• Cashflow vs management intensity• Planning, licensing, and compliance• Reconfiguration and re...

 EPISODE 5 Good Deal vs Perfect Deal | UK Property Investing Are you waiting for the perfect property deal and getting nowhere? Many property investors don’t lose money through bad decisions. They lose years by not acting at all. In this episode, Milesh Lakhani and Sadie Pizzey break down how to identify a good property deal in the UK market and why chasing perfection often leads to missed opportu...

Should you invest in property locally — or go where the numbers work best? Many UK property investors stay close to home for convenience, but the strongest opportunities aren’t always nearby. In this episode, Milesh Lakhani and Sadie Pizzey explore the trade-offs between local and remote property investing. We cover: • Local knowledge vs wider opportunity• Income vs capital growth strategies• Risk...

Self-Manage or Use a Letting Agent? | UK Landlord Strategy Should you self-manage your rental property or use a letting agent? Trying to save money here can often cost far more in the long run. In this episode, Milesh Lakhani and Sadie Pizzey break down the real trade-offs for UK landlords — from both a property investing and design perspective. We cover:• Self-managing vs using a letting agent• T...

Is your home working for you financially — or just sitting there? Many UK homeowners are sitting on equity that could be used more effectively — but knowing how to unlock it is key. In this episode, Milesh Lakhani and Sadie Pizzey explore how to turn your home into a financial asset within the UK property market, without compromising how it feels to live in. We cover: • Using equity to invest in p...

Should You Buy Property Now orWait? | UK Property Strategy Shouldyou buy property now or wait in the UK property market? This decision can cost you thousands — or set you back years if you get it wrong. In this episode, property developer Milesh Lakhani and interior designer Sadie Pizzey break down one of the biggest questions in UK property investing and property development. We cover: • Timing t...

A deal can look perfect on paper — and still lose money. Milesh Lakhani and Sadie Pizzey explore why execution — not the spreadsheet — is where deals succeed or fail. 💡 We cover:• Scope creep• Emotional decision-making• Lack of clear boundaries• Design drift during projects 🏠  Room of the Week: The Main Bedroom Why bedroom layout, proportion, and usability have a major impact on value — and how...

Should you flip for cash or hold for long-term growth? In this episode, Milesh and Sadie break down the pros and risks of each strategy in today’s market. 💡 We cover:• Liquidity risk• Tax considerations• Refinance viability• Choosing the right strategy for your goals 🏠  Room of the Week: Bathroom Spec — Rental vs Flip How to design bathrooms differently depending on your exit, balancing durabili...

Buying the worst house on thebest street is a classic strategy — but does it still deliver? Milesh and Sadie break down whether this approach still works in today’s property market. 💡 We cover:• Ceiling price limitations• Accurate renovation costing• Understanding street hierarchy• When a property can — and can’t — be improved 🏠  Room of the Week: First Impressions & Perceived Value Why buye...

Complexity doesn’t always lookrisky — but it can quietly destroy ROI. In this episode, Milesh and Sadie explore why over complicating projects leads to lower returns — and how to simplify for better outcomes. 💡 We cover: • Planning risk and over-optimism • Structural unknowns • Over-ambitious scope • When design ambition overrides logic 🏠  Room of the Week: Open Plan vs Zoned Living Why buyers a...

In tighter markets, protecting your margin matters more than chasing growth. Milesh Lakhani and Sadie Pizzey break down how to safeguard profit in property development — from financial strategy to design discipline. 💡 We cover: • Borrowing below capacity • Stress testing your exit • Cutting non-value-add costs • Why over-design reduces profit • Matching specification to postcode 🏠  Room of the W...

Most property developers don’t fail on-site — they fail in the first 30 days. In this episode, property developer  Milesh Lakhani  and interior designer  Sadie Pizzey  break down the 5 key decisions that determine whether a deal succeeds or fails — from both an investment and design perspective. 💡 We cover: • Exit strategy and why it drives every decision • Choosing the right area based on demand...

Some of the worst property investment failures start as deals that look great on paper. In this episode, we break down why good property deals still fail — not because of the market, but because of early decisions that quietly undermine the project. This is a developer-focused discussion on property deal analysis and risk. We explore: • Why unclear exit strategies cause deals to fail • How scope c...

Architecture decisions have a direct impact on property development ROI, planning risk, and timelines but many developers misunderstand where the real value lies. In this episode, Milesh speaks with an architect from a developer’s perspective, focusing on planning permission, space planning, and risk management in property development. We cover: • Planning rules developers must understand • How ar...

EPISODE 4 — The Deal Breakers: When to Walk Away From a PropertyNot every property deal is worth pursuing and knowing when to walk away from a property is a skill. In this episode, we talk openly about property deal breakers: the locations, layouts, structural issues, and scenarios we avoid as developers, even when the price looks attractive. This is a practical conversation about risk management...

🎙 EPISODE 3 — Renovation Reality: The Value of Your ArchitectGuest: Mike Sandhu, SC ArchitecturePlanning a renovation, extension, or reconfiguration can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re not sure where to start, what’s involved, or who you actually need on your team. In this episode, Sadie sits down with Mike Sandhu from SC Architecture to unpack the real role architects play in residenti...