Commercial Property Investor Podcast

I explore the importance of trusting your gut as a savvy investor, emphasising the need to pay attention to signals and cues from potential clients, particularly in terms of communication and decision-making.  I highlight the significance of clear vision and business acumen in successful deals, urging you to trust your instincts when something doesn't feel right. I also discuss the importance of m...

This time, I address a common question: what is the best commercial property investment strategy for beginners? I share my own experiences in the world of commercial property investing, dispelling any glamorous notions and highlighting the practical challenges i've faced. I also discuss the importance of taking action and getting started, even if it means starting with a simple buy-to-let property...

I'm joined by Paul Million to discuss the importance of mindset in achieving a higher level of success. We delve into the challenges and tips for maintaining a positive mindset, even in the face of distractions and setbacks, touching on personal experiences, childhood traumas, and the power of belief coding. As we discuss, there's a need to be kind to oneself and to embrace self-acceptance. We als...

This week, I'm exploring the topic of identifying signs that a customer may be considering moving on to a different property partner. Drawing parallels to personal relationships, I talk about the importance of recognising subtle clues that indicate a client's potential unfaithfulness. From changes in behavior and communication patterns to secretive property searches and hesitations during lease or...

Let's address the question on every investor's mind: Is 2024 a good year to dive into commercial real estate? Turns out, the answer to this question is highly personal and depends on each investor's circumstances. I'll share my observations of the market, noting that while there were some challenges towards the end of last year, the new year has brought positive signs with increased inquiries and...

This time, I talk about the challenges and opportunities facing high streets in the UK, sharing my own experiences as a commercial property investor and operator, as well as insights from working with other investors in the industry. I'll talk you through various factors affecting high streets, such as business rates, parking, transport, planning, and the changing retail landscape, emphasising the...

This time, I'm talking to John McCauley, the founder of Grit Studios, a unique niche in the commercial property market. John shares his journey of merging his passion for art with his property expertise, creating a thriving community of artists in Stockport and Manchester. He discusses the challenges and successes of building a brand and community, the importance of finding the right buildings and...

In response to a recent question in the Commercial Property Investor Facebook Group I asked Anthony Boyce join me to discuss our experiences of redeveloping listed buildings including the processes and challenges we have had to deal with over a combined number of projects  We look at the importance of allowing extra time for the planning process and highlight the need to invest in thorough documen...

In this episode I thought it was time to review the goals we had for 2023 and share my plans and expectations for the upcoming year. There were a few including increasing monthly turnover, improving energy costs, finding a new location, and developing The CPI network. Have listen to seemhow they all turned out. I also talk through our plans  for the 2024, including further redevelopment of office...

I talk to Anthony from Rocket Group, a multi-disciplinary property development company, who shares his experiences of developing and running multiple businesses within Rocket group. From investing & developing to architecture and even archaeology.  He talks about his background in architecture and his transition into property development., and then we delve into specific projects, such as a ch...

I talk to Chris and Andrew from Brightstone Spaces who discuss their journey in the property industry and their recent projects, sharing how they transitioned from residential property to commercial property, and highlighting the challenges and opportunities they encountered along the way. They delve into the details of two specific projects, including a shop and uppers conversion and a large offi...

This week, I'm talking with Adam Lawrence, a property investor with a vast portfolio and an economics background. While the conversation touches on Lawrence's property ventures, the focus is primarily on the economics, particularly the Bank of England and interest rates. We discuss the concept of forward guidance and its effectiveness, as well as the accuracy of economic forecasts. Adam provides i...

This time, we explore the relationship between flexible office spaces and startups. Are Flexible spaces really full of start ups and new businesses?  Drawing from my own experiences running business accelerators, I discuss the benefits and downsides of working with startups in commercial properties, and emphasise the importance of balance and the need for a mix of startups and mature businesses in...

This time round, I'm joined by Paul Million, a seasoned landlord and developer, to discuss various topics, including Paul's background in property investment, his portfolio of over 80 properties, and his experience with commercial conversions and HMOs. We delve into a specific project Paul worked on, an 8-bed scheme in Darlington, and the challenges he faced with planning. Paul shares his decision...

I talk once more to Mark Homer about the current economic situation and its impact on the property market. We discuss the unpredictability of the market and the uncertainty surrounding interest rates. Mark shares his thoughts on the potential fall in residential values due to affordability issues and the increasing number of people coming off fixed-rate mortgages. We also touch on the effects of t...

This time, I aim to demystify the different types of commercial property arrangements: leased space, service space, managed space, and flex space. I'll break down each type and explain their distinctions, highlighting the benefits and considerations for businesses and investors.  KEY TAKEAWAYS The different types of commercial space arrangements include leased commercial space, serviced commercial...

I'm joined by property investor Mark Homer, who discusses a fascinating commercial property project in Peterborough. The project involved the redevelopment of an 80,000 square foot department store that had been vacant since Marks and Spencer's moved out in 2015. Mark shares the challenges he faced in acquiring the property and navigating the planning process. He also reveals how the original main...

This time, I'm discussing the importance of accurately evaluating build or redevelopment costs in commercial real estate, looking at the common mistake of applying residential or buy-to-let costing ideas to commercial properties and emphasising the need to understand the market demand and the quality of the final product. I'll delve into the various factors that can significantly impact build cost...

I talk to Zoe Ellis-Moore from Spaces to Places, a company that specialises in helping businesses in the flexible office sector. We talk about the importance of branding and marketing for businesses that want to scale beyond one location, and explore the challenges and considerations for businesses starting out with one location and the need to establish a strong brand identity.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Whe...

I share some invaluable insights I recently gained upon my travels, focussing on topics such as selling, writing a book, raising finance, big projects, project management, social media insights, and build costs. I reflect on the importance of being unapologetic about selling and seeking feedback on sales techniques, and highlight the value of knowing exactly what you're offering investors and the...

In this episode I am joined again by my good friend Jamie Fraser, who shares an update with us on the last two years of trading. He previously shared his experience of transforming a 500-year-old castle into an exclusive rural wedding venue. We discuss the challenges the team have faced during the last two-years, including lots of building challenges, operational lessons and navigating the aftersh...

This time I'm joined by James Rankin of Instant Group to discuss the latest report on the flex space market in the UK. Instant Group is a leading provider of data insights and consultancy in the flexible workspace industry, and James shares insights from the report, highlighting the current challenges and trends in the market. We discuss the shift in occupancy, the demand for sustainability, and t...

In this special episode, I sit down with Freddie Forde, the founder of Patch, a unique co-working and community space company, to discuss Patch's mission to create opportunity for people, work, and community on every high street in the UK. Freddie shares insights into his model of repurposing defunct buildings in towns and villages, offering flexible workspace and public access to events, retail,...

I'm joined by my good friend Linda Martin to discuss her second commercial property purchase, a hair salon. Linda shares how she came across the deal and her initial plan to only purchase the building, not the business. However, after realising the potential and the loyal clientele of the salon, she decided to buy the business as well. We delve into the operational aspects of running a hair salon,...

I welcome back Steven Clark to discuss the importance of scaling in the property investment industry. We delve into the mindset shift required when transitioning from smaller residential projects to larger commercial ones, and Steven shares his own experiences of scaling up his property portfolio, including buying residential property portfolios and HMOs at a larger scale.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Scaling i...