Honest Property Investment with Natasha Collins

This year, I’ve seen a lot of investors buying good commercial and mixed-use buildings... but quietly leaving value on the table. Not because the buildings are wrong, but because of  how they’re assessed  and  how they’re held . In this episode, I break down  two strategies I’ve personally used this year  to increase commercial property value  without  development: • Buying mixed-use property with...

In this episode, I’m breaking down the exact reasons why some commercial property deals stack up beautifully… and why others fall apart the moment you start doing the maths. Most investors think a deal stacks up because “the yield looks good” — but that’s only one tiny part of the picture. A solid deal is built on verified income, realistic costs, a sensible purchase price, and a plan that actuall...

In this episode, Steve Wallis and I sit down to unpack what the latest UK Budget really means for commercial property investors. There’s been so much noise, speculation and confusion over the past week, so we’re cutting through the chaos and focusing purely on what impacts you if you own, manage or plan to buy commercial property. We break down the new tax rules on property income coming in from 2...

In today’s episode, I’m stripping away the legal jargon and giving you clear, simple explanations of the commercial lease terms that matter most. Whether you’re reviewing your first lease or your fiftieth, understanding this language is essential — because the lease is the value of your commercial property. I walk you through the key terms you’ll see in every lease, why they matter, and how they i...

In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the most talked-about but misunderstood concepts in commercial property — yield. I’ll walk you through exactly what yield means, how to calculate it, and how to use it to understand both risk and return. Because here’s the truth — a higher yield isn’t automatically better. It usually means more work, more management, and more uncertainty. I’ll also explain...

Residential and commercial property may both involve bricks and mortar — but they’re completely different businesses. In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what separates residential and commercial investment: how they’re valued, financed, taxed and managed, and why switching from one to the other means changing the way you think about property altogether. If you’ve ever thought “I want to in...

I hear this all the time — “I’d love to do more in commercial property, but I don’t have enough time. I’ve got a full-time job, or I’m already managing a big residential portfolio.” The truth is, if you don’t have enough time, it’s because you’re still trying to do everything yourself. Commercial property is a business, and you have to start running it like one. In this episode, I’m sharing how I...

You’ve listed the property, the board’s up, the agent’s optimistic… and yet, silence. No enquiries. No viewings. Nothing. It’s one of the most frustrating moments for any commercial property investor, because an empty property doesn’t just cost you rent, it costs you momentum. This week, I’m sharing what to do when your property’s not letting – including the short-term tweaks you can make this wee...

I don’t know about you, but I get so frustrated waiting for those search emails to land in my inbox. By the time they do, everyone else has already seen the deal. So this week, I decided to flip the script. I gave myself 15 minutes to go out and actually find a property. No waiting, no alerts — just me setting some quick criteria, jumping on the portals, and running the numbers. In this episode, I...

Repairs and service charges aren’t glamorous, but they’re essential to successful commercial property ownership. When I manage them well, my buildings stay safe, compliant and profitable. When I don’t, things unravel fast. In this episode, I share how I deal with repairs and service charges, and what you should be looking out for in your portfolio. I explain the difference between FRI and IRI leas...

Commercial property doesn’t always go the way you imagined. You buy with excitement, you celebrate completion... and then the problems start. Tenants won’t surrender, service charge arrears mount up, dilapidations cost you thousands, or compliance curveballs hit. It's all gone wrong! In this episode, Natasha Collins MRICS pulls back the curtain on what really happens when deals go wrong. You’l...

Ever wondered how I personally invest my own money? In this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my investment strategy and showing you where commercial property fits into the bigger picture. Think of it as a back-to-school lesson plan for building a balanced portfolio that reflects both your goals and your lifestyle. Here’s what you’ll hear: Stocks & Shares ISA and “fun” stock picks –...

When it comes to the economy, the news can feel overwhelming. One day it’s good, the next day it’s doom and gloom. A recent poll reported that 71% of Brits believe the economy has worsened since Brexit , and 77% say their cost of living has gone up . No wonder so many investors are feeling uncertain. Link to the Huff Post Article  In this episode of The Honest Property Investment Podcast , I break...

Buying a commercial property is exciting — but it’s also scary. What if you overpay? What if there are hidden costs waiting to bite you later? In this episode, I share the two essential steps you must take before you commit to buying, so you can protect yourself from nasty surprises: ✅ Why you should always commission two valuations — one at market value and one at vacant possession. ✅ What a bu...

Bridging finance, refinancing, and VAT are some of the most misunderstood areas in commercial property investment. Whether you are unsure about when to use bridging, how refinancing actually works, or why VAT is sometimes charged on commercial properties, this episode breaks it down in plain English. By the end of the episode, you will have the clarity you need to make better decisions on your dea...

 On 7th August 2025, the Bank of England cut the base rate to 4% — a move that’s already sparking questions from commercial property investors. Prime yields often move in line with the base rate, and with yields tightening, is now the right time to buy… or should you wait? In this episode of The Honest Property Investment Podcast , I break down: What the rate cut means for prime yields Why tighter...

One of the biggest fears I hear from commercial property investors is, "What happens if my tenant stops paying rent?" It’s a worrying situation, but there are clear steps you can take to protect yourself and your property. In this episode, I walk you through exactly what to do if a tenant stops paying rent: The crucial first step you must take before you even contact the tenant. When (an...

Understanding the legal terms in commercial leases is essential for protecting your investment and avoiding costly surprises. In this episode of The Honest Property Investment Podcast , I break down the key sections of typical Heads of Terms and explain what each one means in plain English. Whether you're negotiating your first commercial lease or adding to your portfolio, this episode will he...

You’ve found a commercial property. The yield looks decent on paper. But… how do you actually know if it’s good enough? In today’s episode, I’m answering one of the most frequently asked questions from commercial property investors: How do I know if the yield is good enough to justify the investment? I’ll walk you through: What yield really tells you – and what it doesn’t What factors influence wh...

If you’ve ever found yourself Googling commercial property investment and ending up more confused than when you started — you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m cutting through the noise and showing you what actually matters when investing in commercial property. I’ll walk you through the exact process I use with my clients to move them from feeling overwhelmed to confidently investing — no hype,...

Download the notes for this weeks podcast HERE Access the What commercial property type to buy next quiz at ncrealestate.co.uk Listen to Marks podcast episode HERE What You’ll Learn: Why there’s no universal “best place” to invest—and how to find the right one for you How to align your strategy, goals, and property type with the right location Where to research local tenant demand and market trend...

I'm sure you've seen the memes... this week I'm going through all the recession indicators I've seen in the commercial property market. If you've seen any, I want them in the comments section please, the weirder the better!

This is a controversial topic... mainly because of the speed that you work at and what is going on in your home life. This week I go through what works for me to create space in my life to continue to invest in commercial property. If you would like help with this please book a call with my team HERE .

The audio is really off this week, I'm sorry about that! However, the message is really important. This is exactly how to build and keep credibility with agents as a new commercial property investor.

Book your complimentary call to discuss buying your next commercial property HERE What You’ll Learn: A full walkthrough of the commercial property buying process from start to finish How to set investment goals, analyse deals, source finance, and negotiate offers What to expect during the legal process and how to stay in control Tips for derisking each stage of the journey In this week’s podcast,...