Property Magic Podcast

Simon discusses the age-old question of whether houses or apartments make for better investments. Drawing from his 28 years of experience in the property market, the host presents the pros and cons of both options.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Apartments are generally smaller and more affordable than houses, making them a good option for investors with limited funds. Apartments often have desirable locations an...

Simon discusses the recent interest rate rises and their impact on the property market. With interest rates increasing for the 14th consecutive time, Simon explores the potential implications for property prices, which are already falling at the fastest rate since 2009.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Interest rates have been rising consecutively to combat inflation, with the latest increase being a quarter of a p...

In this very special 200th anniversary edition of the Property Magic podcast, Simon talks you through the question on every potential investor's lips - is now a good time to invest in property? Simon also talks about the main lessons he's learned across his vast investing journey, his biggest investing regret, and his top five tips. KEY TAKEAWAYS The market is bound to correct, and a further crash...

The Apart/Hotel strategy is something of an advanced way of working, but no matter where you're at in your property journey, it'll be useful. Simon explains the strategy itself, as well as how you can maximise the returns from this fascinating way of investing. KEY TAKEAWAYS Property investing strategies should meet three criteria: It has to represent good value for your tenants - There has to be...

Simon has a special announcement: he'll be giving away a fully paid scholarship on his upcoming, life-changing Property Mastermind, and it could be yours! Listen in to find out how you can win, and what it could mean for you and your life. KEY TAKEAWAYS As this is a virtual event, entrants can join and partake from all corners of the globe - there are no geographical restrictions. The cost of the...

Starting a property investing business is very different to scaling it, and in this week's episode, Simon talks you through how to take the business from where it is now, to where you want and need it to be in the shortest possible time. KEY TAKEAWAYS Scaling your property business has more to do with mindset than you may think. Belief and attitude plays a huge part. Think about the goal you want...

Simon discusses your Financial Independence Day - the day you no longer have to work for a living - which might be a lot closer than you may realise... KEY TAKEAWAYS We often believe that the figure we want to earn is the figure we need to work towards. The reality is that we only need to replace the money we have to spend each month - our expenses. The biggest benefit of investing in property is...

With the unprecedented rise in interest rates, many are seeing the Bank Of England's attempts to curb inflation as a new financial crisis. In this episode, Simon tells you everything you need to know, and what to expect. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Bank Of England have voted by 7-2 to increase the base rate by half a percent, from 4.5% to 5%, the thirteenth consecutive increase since September 2021. Wage in...

Simon talks about his all-new initiative designed to raise financial awareness amongst young adults, and why this is one of the most important legacies we can create in the world of today. KEY TAKEAWAYS The education system has always been centred around teaching young people to get jobs in the traditional way, and has encouraged generations to simply become workers. In less than ten years, it's e...

Simon answers the question - why are so many landlords selling up in 2023, and with the current disruption in the market, is it really still a good time to be investing? KEY TAKEAWAYS In any industry, you always have people entering and retiring. The number of landlords entering the market has been on the increase, but this ratio has begun to decrease now. In 2015, the Conservative government anno...

Simon examines the Renter Reform Bill, and talks about what it could mean in the world of property investing, for you as investors, and for your tenants. KEY TAKEAWAYS The bill, if it comes in, will be so disruptive that many landlords are expected to sell up and leave the market altogether. If the tenant is two months late on three consecutive occasions, then an automatic eviction ban will be gra...

Simon continues his crusade to bust through the many myths surrounding HMOs, including pre-existing HMO portfolios, and how energy costs have affected HMO profit margins. KEY TAKEAWAYS There is so much more profit from an HMO that you can get people to manage them for you, meaning that you have more time and more income. Many think you need lots of money to create an HMO. This might be the case in...

With the sudden public interest in 100% mortgages, Simon talks about whether they are good or bad as a product, as well as for whom they may prove most beneficial. KEY TAKEAWAYS Lenders like buyers to have some skin in the game, and this is why they ask for a deposit, but coming up with such a large sum can prove problematic for many people. Because interest rates are so high, even if people can g...

Some investors prefer to use the HMO (House Of Multiple Occupation) strategy, whereas others choose to go down the SA (Serviced Accommodation) route. But which is the more effective? In this episode, Simon lays out the pros and cons of each in search of a clear answer to this often-asked question. KEY TAKEAWAYS Both the SA strategy and the HMO strategy give very high cash flow, making at least £10...

In this episode, Simon talks about the future of serviced accommodation as an investing strategy now that new regulations and guidelines are being considered by the UK government. KEY TAKEAWAYS We will not be given full clarity upon the changes being proposed by the government until the 7th June, 2023, but we can ascertain the conditions being examined. There is a huge demand for serviced accommod...

Simon discusses freehold to leasehold title splits, including his all-new 'Freehold To Leasehold check list", created specially in the Property Magic workshops, and designed to help you work out if a deal will be good or not. KEY TAKEAWAYS Freehold to leasehold title splitting is where you find a freehold building where someone has already created individual units within that have not yet been cha...

Simon talks you through the pros and cons of both self managing your property portfolio and using a letting agent to do so, and whether you might be falling into the "landlord trap"? KEY TAKEAWAYS The more you grow, the more it becomes advisable to use letting agents, who can take care of the stress for you, and allow you to expand. The smaller issues that tenants can come up with are often not wo...

With the property market in an ever-changing state of flux, Simon shares the best ways in which you can make sure that your knowledge remains up to date, thereby making you a far better property investor when it counts. KEY TAKEAWAYS It's vital to keep up to date with changes in legislation, taxation and finance. By doing this we can make sure we're able to take advantage of the opportunities avai...

Simon talks about why, and how, you should set up your own financial fortress - a protection for you and your family that could protect you for life. KEY TAKEAWAYS The school system doesn't do a great job in preparing new generations to deal with the financial concerns of their future. It's always worth discussing this with our children whenever possible. Learn how to make money. Whether that's th...

The world of property investment is exceptionally varied, and there's nothing to stop you from being involved in another, very lucrative way. In this episode, Simon breaks down the art of deal sourcing, and tells you why it might be a viable career path inside the dynamic world of property. KEY TAKEAWAYS When you find deals, and can't move on them yourself, then you can still earn money by selling...

Simon talks about the value of passion when it comes to investing, and whether or not you need to love property itself, or the results that it can bring? KEY TAKEAWAYS Many believe that in order to be successful. in property, you need to have a passion for property itself. But it is not essential in and of itself. It's more important to be passionate about what property can do for people. You can...

Many are questioning the security of interest-only mortgages, asking whether or not they're a safe bet, or right in their circumstances. In this episode, Simon explains the best use of this important purchase method, and whether it carries a risk or not. KEY TAKEAWAYS In the future, properties will be worth far more than what you paid for it, so an option is to sell up and keep the capital growth....

Simon explains the varying market, and how the current climate in property has seen a huge upswing in estate agents actively seeking buyers, and how you can make sure that you're making the most of this remarkable opportunity. KEY TAKEAWAYS Only a small percentage of sellers are truly motivated. However, there has been a booming market - a seller's market - more buyers than sellers, meaning that f...

Simon shares the five best ways you can use to find your next property deal - everything from the type of seller you should be looking for, to how to best work with estate agents. KEY TAKEAWAYS In 2023, the property market has begun to decline, meaning that there are now far more motivated sellers than before. People are far more willing to consider offers. Estate agents need us now that it's beco...

Knowing which investments to aim for is one of the fundamental tools in your investing journey. But conversely, knowing which investments to AVOID is also equally as important. As Simon explains in this episode, avoiding the wrong investments can save you valuable time, money and stress. KEY TAKEAWAYS Whenever you are buying a property, always examine the demand for that type of property in your c...