Commercial Property Investor Podcast

In today's episode, we're shifting gears from our usual focus on commercial property investing to delve into the world of flat roofs. You might not know this, but I've spent over 25 years in the flat roofing industry. I've installed countless roofs over the years and have been running a company that supplies roofing products for over two decades. Needless to say, I've learned a thing or two along...

"How do you borrow money to buy a commercial property in the UK?" This is a question I get asked A LOT, especially by those new to commercial property investment. If you’ve been wondering about this yourself or need a refresher on the various options that are out there, then this episode is for you. We'll tackle some of the crucial questions every aspiring commercial property investor needs to kno...

Do you already have some Residential and you’re on the fence? Is Commercial for you? Today we are going to discuss some key differences between Residential and Commercial property investing to help answer these two questions for you (and help you make a decision on your investing strategies). It's important to know a Pension pot can make a serious difference to your Property strategies.  If you ha...

Today we are diving into what's absolutely crucial to overcoming challenges and getting more success in commercial property investing (or any industry for that matter!). Maintaining a growth mindset is key for experts or beginners and this is best done through listening & learning yourself. It may seem strange as an expert as you're often seen as or treated like a leader or font of knowledge a...

We are talking all about Perspective today; “Every now and then we need to step back from the coal face and review.” Whats working? what’s not producing the right results? Systems and processes are always vastly important but sometimes neither of these are helping you past a roadblock to help. Are you making headway or are you stuck in a loop? Commercial property ebbs and flows, often feeling in o...

This time I'm talking to Alexandra Livesey from Clockwise, a company specialising in transforming historical buildings into flexible workspaces. Alexandra discusses Clockwise's rapid growth from 3 to 16 buildings (and counting) across four countries in just a few years. She emphasises the importance of understanding and respecting the local community and heritage of each building, and shares insig...

I look into the question of whether one should go full-time in property investment. I have seen this question a few times lately and it is not about "should i quit my job", but rather should I ever go full time in property even if I have the income to do so. Drawing from personal experience and observations, I talk about the different perspectives on this topic, emphasizing the importance of under...

This time, I share the top five business expenses of running a multilet commercial flexspace portfolio, incurred by our business over the past financial year. I'll provide you with a detailed breakdown of costs, including energy, staffing, interest payments, maintenance, and cleaning. Through a comparison with the previous year, I highlight the significant increases in energy costs due to price in...

I welcome back Bryn Walker, who on his return to the podcast is focusing on Small Self-Administered Scheme (SSAS) pensions and their intersection with commercial property investments. Bryn, an experienced SSAS advisor, shares insights on the flexibility and advantages of SSAS pensions for entrepreneurs. The discussion delves into topics such as the application process with HMRC, the potential pitf...

I talk to special guest Gary Wilson, about all aspects of project development in the construction industry. Gary shares his extensive experience in construction, project management, and sales, providing valuable insights and lessons learned from his career. We look at topics such as the challenges of managing larger developments, the importance of trust and honesty in business relationships, and t...

In this episode, I interview Stephen Gallagher, a commercial property investor, who shares insights into his background in aerospace engineering and financial services, as well as his journey into property investment. He discusses his investment model with SSAS and details a successful project in Wishaw near Glasgow, where he transformed a CMO (Commercial Multiple Occupancy) property into a thrivi...

Join me in this exciting episode as I sit down with Miro Miroslavov from OfficeRnD, a renowned prop tech software company. Together, we uncover the fascinating evolution of their software and highlight its crucial role in tackling the unique challenges of managing flexible workspace. Miro guides us through the company's growth and their strategic approach of integrating with top-tier solutions, ra...

I talk to Will Mallard about social housing in the commercial property sector. Will shares insights into the complexities of the sector, including the various categories of social housing and supported housing. He discusses how he got involved in social housing and provides examples of projects he has worked on. The conversation delves into the financial aspects of social housing, including the ch...

I'm joined once again by the marvellous Dean Booty, to discuss the ins and outs of the self-storage industry. Dean shares insights into his successful self-storage business, including the expansion from three to six sites in a short period. We delve into topics such as site acquisitions, revenue management, pricing strategies, and the impact of COVID-19 on the industry. Dean also introduces his co...

I'm joined once more by Adam Lawrence, to focus on the impact of the recent budget on property investors. We discuss various aspects such as tax thresholds, capital gains tax, multiple dwellings relief, and the potential effects of upcoming elections on the property market. Adam shares his insights on navigating the current economic landscape and offers strategic advice for property investors.  KE...

I share insights into why I ventured into commercial real estate, how I found the project through networking and the process of financing the property. I delve into the specifics of the building, its initial condition, and the gradual transformation it underwent to increase its income and value, reflecting on the lessons learned from this project, emphasising the importance of networking, not sole...

I answer the crucial question of determining the optimal pricing for commercial spaces. I examine the significance of differentiation in setting prices and the importance of continuous testing to find the sweet spot in the market, and share insights on observing competition, exploring unique selling points, and adapting pricing strategies to suit the specific needs of the target market.  KEY TAKEA...

As a follow on from the episode from the 8th of Feb about hidden transaction costs, I talk through the costs and actions that need to be factored from the date of the transaction until the commercial property is refurbished and let out.  It is all the little things that add up and some new investors are not aware of when they calculate the project viability. I cover 3 distinct parts: Consideration...

What are the differences between traditional asset management and the unique approach taken by CMO property development. I'll discuss the importance of adding long-term value through active redevelopment and ongoing refurbishment of neglected buildings, urging you to consider the long-term implications of certain buy and hold investment strategies and highlight the importance of actively driving v...

I am joined by Michael Crookson to delve into the world of tech solutions for commercial properties. With over 20 years of experience, Michael shares insights on managed data, voice, and cabling solutions offered by Datel Solutions. The conversation covers the evolution of telephone systems from traditional lines to cloud-based solutions, emphasising the importance of infrastructure planning and i...

The real cost of looking after properties long term is so overlooked. It's a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of long-term property investment and it frustrates me to see investors who fail to properly consider the inevitable need for property refurbishment over time. Some base their numbers on the initial purchase and some refurbishment but no follow up costs for the medium to long term. KEY T...

This time I'm joined by my CPI co-conspirator Megan Brown. We talk through the lessons we have learned from operating shared coworking spaces over the last 5 years and share some of the customer facing stories that have stuck with us. We discuss the membership models we offer and how we have responded to customer demand. Our offer has evolved over time as we have learnt what works and what hasn’t...

I discuss the importance of optimising space in commercial properties, specifically focusing on the layout and placement of toilets. I look at the value of windows in office spaces and suggest considering the relocation of toilets to free up window space, as rooms with windows can be rented out at higher rates. I also highlight the practical considerations involved in moving toilets, such as plumb...

This time, I talk about the importance of market research and due diligence when entering a new market location. I'll share six vital numbers that investors should know, including local area square foot rates, competitor occupancy levels, operating costs, build-out costs, market capital costs, and cap rates. I also provide methods for gathering this information, such as online searches, talking to...

I talk about the various costs involved in buying a commercial building, highlighting the importance of considering VAT, land and buildings tax, lawyer fees, title searches, finance fees, and accountant projections. I also look at the need for surveys, feasibility studies, and insurance, and tell you why you need to be aware of ongoing costs such as utilities, fibre installation, and business rate...