Expat Property Story

#307 Picture the scene. It's a Tuesday morning in Hong Kong. March 2023. I'm checking emails and there's one with the subject line: Valuation report attached. My stomach churns — exactly like A-level results day. We'd spent months refurbishing a block of four one-bed flats bought at auction. We needed a specific number from the valuer to move the deal forward. I open the attach...

#306 Episode 306 — UK Mortgage Rates 2026: Why Swap Rates Say One Thing, Lenders Do Another (Mortgage Monday with Shaz Ahmed) UK mortgage rates are sending mixed signals in 2026 — and if you're investing in UK property from overseas, the contradiction is worth understanding before you fix your next rate. This month's Mortgage Monday brings Shaz Ahmed of Elan Property Finance back to expl...

#305 Is now a good time to buy UK property, or should you wait? It's the question every overseas investor is asking in 2026 — and this week I put it to James Sproule, a former senior economic advisor at 10 Downing Street who now leads economic forecasting for a UK bank. This explores the UK property market outlook, and whether the timing is right to buy. James argues the market runs on two nu...

#304 UK property auctions are seeing a wave of caution following Keir Starmer's resignation  Not to mention uncertainty around Andy Burnham's stance on landlords and stamp duty. But according to auction specialist Jay Howard from Hammered Auctions   that nervousness is creating one of the best buying windows in years for an unloved asset class: flats. In this month's auction update,...

#303 Do you struggle with the idea of investing in UK property from overseas because of being hundreds or thousands of miles away?  Well in this episode, you can draw inspiration from someone who’s not quite in the same boat as you, but he’s more than likely in a boat right now.  Stefhan Malherbe is a South African yacht captain with over 20 years at sea and a passion for UK property.  He started...

#302 If you're looking to buy UK property from overseas, you might want to consider Burnley. Once a month I’m joined by Darren McNeill from our sponsors FMP to look back at a deal he sourced for a client 5 years ago. This month, we discuss a buy-to-let in Burnley, Lancashire BB11 2LN. Darren explains how Burnley has benefited from the Manchester 'ripple effect' and how the outskirts...

#301 When you’re thousands of miles away from your chosen investment patch, and you’re looking for a deal, one of the first things you’re going to have to do is to estimate the cost of bringing the property up to the standard of the value of the most expensive property on the street. But how can you estimate the refurb cost from a video tour or even the photos alone? Or how can you verify that the...

#300 To celebrate Episode 300 we take you back through some of the features that have fallen by the wayside. Think of it as a nostalgic trip down memory lane for those of you who’ve been here from the start or a way to pique your interest in the back catalogue if you're a more recent listener. I'm sure you'll have as much fun listening as I did putting it all together. Check out our...

#299 Whether you’re thousands of miles away or even just hundreds of miles away, you’re going to need people to help you.  So I’ve trawled through the back catalogue to find the best advice on choosing who to work with.  And how to go about it. This episode features contributions from: Helen Godbold-Eade (Episode 7) Grant Williams  (Episode 149)  Charlie Green (Episode 219) Darren McNeill (Episode...

#298 This is our monthly roundup of news affecting UK Property investors. This month's news items: UK House Prices Falling UK house prices have dropped for the third consecutive month, with the Halifax House Price Index reporting a 0.1% decline, bringing the average home price to just under £299,000.  House Price Gap Between London and Other UK Cities Narrowing The Financial Times reports tha...

#297 Imagine a world where almost nothing is leasehold. Where one missing toilet can change how a whole deal is valued And where pre-auction bargains are the norm In this episode, I talk to Scottish investor and auctioneer Luis Guarín of Prime Property Auctions   about: How the Scottish market really works,  Why home reports can be both a blessing and a problem How traders are making serious money...

#296 In this month’s Mortgage Monday, Shaz Ahmed of Elan Property Finance (better known as @Wheresshaz ), returns for his regular lending update. With interest rates holding steady after the latest Bank of England meeting, Shaz explores what this means for borrowers. And we disuss the shifting landscape of mortgage rates and fees, and Shaz offers insights on choosing between different lending prod...

#295 Do you get frustrated, spending hour upon hour trawling through property portals ooking for a deal, only to find there’s lots of other investors chasing the same lead? Wouldn’t it be nice if you could find deals that have little or no competition? In this episode, we’re plugging another gap in the archives as we tackle long-term empty homes. Simon Taylor is founder of Empty Property Hunters ,...

#294 This episode is our monthly review of what's going on in the world of UK Property auctions, featuring Jay Howard from Hammered Auctions The three main topics tackled are: EIG's latest figures which reveal that auction activity rose 9.5% year-on-year but the percentage of lots sold in April 2025 has decreased slightly compared to the April 2025. Seasonal trends and how they're c...

#293 In today’s show, I have an imaginary 3 bed semi I’m looking to sell at auction for profit. Helping me to maximise my gain is Olivia Boulting , also known as The Queen of the Gavel, Regional Manager and Auctioneer for Auction House South West. This episode is jam packed with fantastic advice on how to get the best results at auction as a seller. As a result, there's plenty to learn for bu...

#292 Once a month I’m joined by Darren McNeill from our sponsors FMP to look back at a deal he sourced for a client 5 years ago. This month, we discuss a deal in Bacup, Lancashire OL13 8BS Finnigan McNeill Property specialise in high-yielding turnkey properties in the Northwest for under 125K. Our WhatsApp  group Property Engine discounts (Code: EXPAT) Starter: 30 day trial Pro: 30 day trial/3 mth...

We've released 278 episodes since our last trailer. So it's time for a refresh. We're also starting a YouTube channel to show short video clips from our more recent episodes. Details to follow later.

#291 Lucian Cook is Head of Residential Research at Savills . In this episode, Lucian demystifies UK property data, market cycles, and regional growth trends.  Listen in full to learn where to collect data andhow to interpret it. You will also gain expert insights on how to understand regional market cycles and navigate current trends in UK property. Our WhatsApp  group Property Engine discounts (...

#290 This is our monthly roundup of news affecting UK Property investors. This month's news Bridging Boom: UK Short-Term Finance Sector Rockets to £10 Billion—What’s Driving the Surge? 30-Year Gilt Yields Hit Century High—Could This Signal Trouble for UK Mortgages and House Prices? Hong Kong Buyers Dominate UK Property Market—But Some Face Massive Losses in Off-Plan Scandal Landlords Flee UK...

#289 Building a UK property portfolio is so easy on paper.  But it feels like everything falls apart once people get involved. Project managers, builders, brokers, solicitors, managing agents  all conspire to turn plans into problems. People talk about property being a people business as if all you need to do is find people to help you. Easier said than done! Scott Williams , founder of The Proper...

#288 This is our monthly look at what's happening in the world of UK property lending and our first featuring Shaz Ahmed of Elan Property Finance . Shaz comments on the following news items: The Bank of England held the base interest rate at 3.75%.  The collapse of Market Financial Solutions (MFS) in February amid allegations of fraud The impact of the Renrters' Rights Act on lending Rum...

#285 Whether you’re buying, selling, or refinancing, knowing your way around title registers can save, or make you thousands.  Gerard Davis is a UK property lawyer and Business Development Manager at Talbots Law, specialising in conveyancing, titles, leaseholds, and investor strategies. Gerard breaks down everything from covenants to title plans, registration delays, indemnity insurance, and trick...

#286 The third of our monthly reviews of what's going on in the world of UK Property auctions, featuring Jay Howard from Hammered Auctions Auctions are bouncing back with renewed confidence. Despite recent fears, properties are still selling for strong prices.  This Mini-Sode explores how legislative changes like the Renters Rights Act are shifting strategies for landlords, from holding tenan...

#283 This episode explores some of the myths around Supported Living and Social Housing.  It will help understand what they are, how the leases work, and whether this strategy might fit your portfolio. Jackie Fitzgerald is the founder of Homes or Houses in the North East of England. She sources, refurbishes, and asset-manages residential properties for investors, with a strong focus on supported l...

#284 Once a month I’m joined by Darren McNeill from our sponsors FMP to look back at a deal he sourced for a client 5 years ago. This month, we discuss a deal in Clayton-le-Moors, Lancashire BB5 5DT Finnigan McNeill Property specialise in high-yielding turnkey properties in the Northwest for under 125K. Our WhatsApp  group Property Engine discounts (Code: EXPAT) Starter: 30 day trial Pro: 30 day t...