This Week In Property Podcast

From Hospitality to High-Yield Homes: How This Sibling Team Built a £10m Property Portfolio

https://www.thisweekinproperty.tv/proper-tay/ In this episode of This Week In Property, we sit down with sister-brother team Michelle de Almeida and Paul Laurie; two dynamic property investors whose journey from hospitality burnout to a booming multi-million-pound property business is anything but ordinary. Michelle spent two decades in the high-pressure world of hospitality before pivoting into business consultancy and eventually property investment. Paul racked up 30 years in the same industry before joining forces with his sister. Together, they’ve built a thriving property business that now boasts a GDV pipeline in excess of £10 million. Their journey is rooted in grit, realism, and a lot of legwork. Paul is methodical. He views up to 40 properties just to land one viable deal, sticking firmly to numbers that work. Michelle, meanwhile, brings a strategic mindset, treating property as a business from day one and managing investor relations, finance, and branding with precision. They’ve funded their deals through their own resources, private investors and by reinvesting every penny back into their business. Their approach is refreshingly honest: no fluff, just hard work, strategic growth, and ethical decision-making. Whether it’s helping a struggling vendor move on or investing £40,000 in top-end furniture for their serviced accommodation brand Luxe Escapes, Michelle and Paul aim to raise the standard—not just meet it. They’re not chasing volume for the sake of it either. The goal? 200 property “keys” and a flexible 10-year runway. They’ve already expanded into high-end SA, are negotiating on hotel projects, and even eyeing the English market for planning advantages. Oh, and Michelle just signed her first international speaking gig in Dubai! This is a candid, motivating conversation about ambition, setbacks, tough decisions, and what it really takes to turn property into a scalable, ethical, and profitable business. If you’re looking to move beyond theory and hear how real investors are making it work on the ground - this episode is well worth your time.   CONNECT WITH THE SHOW'S GUESTS: Proper-Tay Wealth Facebook: CLICK HERE Instagram: CLICK HERE Luxe Escapes UK Website: CLICK HERE Instagram: CLICK HERE MDA Business Coaching Website: CLICK HERE Facebook: CLICK HERE Instagram: CLICK HERE Utili-Tay Website: CLICK HERE   https://www.thisweekinproperty.tv/proper-tay/  

From Flips to Fortunes: Brandon Rickman on Building Real Estate with Heart

https://www.thisweekinproperty.tv/brandon-rickman/ In this episode of This Week in Property, Richard sits down with Brandon Rickman, a seasoned real estate investor from Atlanta, Georgia, whose journey spans 25 years, over 500 flips, 100 new builds, and a sprawling 115,000-square-foot self-storage facility. But this isn’t just a tale of transactions.  It’s one of service, strategy, and substance. Brandon’s roots in real estate run deep. Growing up on job sites with his developer father, he learned how to build houses before he learned to drive. That hands-on experience gave him the skills, and confidence, to start flipping homes with his wife, a former maths teacher. What began as a way to earn extra income quickly evolved into a full-scale business doing over a hundred houses a year. But Brandon’s approach is far from transactional. Over time, he and his team transformed their operation into a real estate services company, focused on solving people’s problems; not just making a profit. Whether it’s direct-to-seller deals through direct mail and cold calling, structuring flexible offers, or guiding families through emotionally charged probate sales, Brandon’s ethos is clear: help first, deal second. The conversation covers some hard-earned lessons too, like the 2008 crash that saw his bank financing pulled overnight, teaching him the value of private money and investor trust. He breaks down the three types of funding he relies on,, explaining why personal relationships trump paperwork every time. Richard and Brandon also explore the differences between UK and US property systems, particularly in planning and permitting, and why Brandon sees self-storage as a smarter play for long-term wealth. His current facility has 865 units, with only two bathrooms and minimal headaches, proving that passive income can be practical too. This episode is packed with insights for investors at all levels.  Whether you’re sourcing off-market deals, considering private finance, or thinking long-term about generational wealth. Brandon’s story is about more than property; it’s about building something that lasts, with integrity, purpose, and a human touch. 🎧 Listen in to hear how Brandon Rickman has built a business that’s as much about people as it is about property, and why that might just be the key to lasting success.   CONNECT WITH THE SHOW’S GUEST: website: https://www.theflipgenius.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theflipgenius YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfQGTzF6JvH4qqT_V8Lx2cw LINKS AND RESOURCES Catch-up and subscribe through iTunes Paul McFadden Wealth. Property Protege

Breathing New Life Into Old Walls: Wayne Douglas (City & Country)

https://www.thisweekinproperty.tv/wayne-douglas/ In today's episode, we site down with Wayne Douglas, Managing Director of City & Country, for a conversation that blends heritage, housing, and hope for the UK property industry. From humble beginnings shadowing his carpenter father, Wayne’s path into housebuilding took a different route; through numbers and finance. But it’s clear that passion for quality construction runs deep. He shares how he joined City & Country nearly two decades ago when it was a 40-person firm turning over £10 million. Today, the company turns over almost £100 million and has carved out a niche preserving and repurposing Britain’s historic buildings. What sets City & Country apart? Their commitment to quality, placemaking, and architectural integrity. Wayne talks about how converting heritage buildings - once used by councils, police, or the MOD - into desirable homes is not just a business model, but a way of safeguarding national identity. It’s also about practicality: multiple residential units ensure service charges are sustainable and buildings are maintained to a high standard. But the conversation isn’t all rosy nostalgia. Wayne speaks candidly about the challenges facing smaller developers: planning delays, rising finance costs, regulation burdens, and the collapse of SME builders. He makes a compelling case for greater government support, particularly in the form of planning certainty and more nuanced schemes beyond just first-time buyers. Downsizers and upsizers, he argues, need support too if the housing market is to move again. This is a must-listen for anyone in property development or housing policy. Wayne brings a grounded, strategic view of what it really takes to get Britain building again; without sacrificing quality or history. 🔗 Check the show notes for links to City & Country’s developments and heritage projects, including their ambitious conversions of former jails in Gloucester, Dorchester, and Somerset.   CONNECT WITH THE SHOW'S GUEST: website: https://www.cityandcountry.co.uk/ insta: https://www.instagram.com/city_andcountry/ youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwW1ijUHLabxbX7MIMNzBDA https://www.thisweekinproperty.tv/wayne-douglas/  

From Burnout to Breakthrough: How Lynne & Alan Are Redefining Success

https://www.thisweekinproperty.tv/lynne-alan Today, on This Week In Property, Richard is joined by Lynne McMaster and Alan McDonald—two entrepreneurs with very different backstories but a shared mission to build meaningful, values-driven businesses in the world of property. Lynne opens up about her path from customer service and family life to what was nearly a career in funeral care. After facing some deeply personal tragedies, she found herself seeking not just a business, but a way to give back. What began as a search for premises for a funeral home eventually shifted into property investment after attending a Jumpstart event with her partner Grant. That detour turned into a full-on career change, one that’s now giving her both purpose and flexibility around her family. Alan’s story contrasts but complements Lynne’s. From being a chef and a senior manager in the motor trade to discovering the power of serviced accommodation, he talks candidly about the burnout that came with a “good salary” and the realisation that time—not money—was the most valuable thing he could reclaim. His move into property was motivated by a desire for a better life, one where he could actually see his kids grow up. Together, Lynne and Alan now co-host their own podcast, Business Exposed, born from a chance encounter at a property networking event. They use it as a platform to showcase the raw, real side of business—the struggles, the insecurities, the hard-earned wins—and to give back in a way that’s honest and impactful. The conversation is rich with reflections on work-life balance, parenting, mindset, the failures of the traditional education system, and the cultural quirks that hold people back in the UK. It’s about finding your fire, and then building a life and business that keeps it burning. This episode is a must-listen for anyone at a career crossroads or looking to reshape their definition of success. It’s full of the kind of truths that hit home—and might just give you the nudge to make your next bold move. https://www.thisweekinproperty.tv/lynne-alan

Bacon & Co tackle the Renters' Reform Bill and the future of lettings

https://www.thisweekinproperty.tv/bacon/ n this enlightening episode of This Week in Property, Richard sits down with Julie West and Hayley Scammell from Sussex’s leading estate agency, Bacon & Co, to discuss the much-debated Renters’ Reform Bill and its sweeping implications for landlords, tenants, and letting agents alike. Julie and Hayley bring a wealth of experience, having weathered the highs and lows of the property market for decades. From Hayley’s early days earning £25 a week to Julie’s transition from landlord to agency founder, both have a deep understanding of the lettings landscape and the challenges it faces. The discussion opens by addressing the wave of anxiety the Renters’ Reform Bill has stirred in the landlord community. While tenants generally perceive the bill as a win for their rights and security, landlords fear increased difficulty in regaining possession of their properties, especially when dealing with problematic tenants. Yet, Julie and Hayley are quick to reassure: the core of responsible letting remains unchanged, and most landlords—true long-term investors—are in the business to maintain positive, lasting relationships with tenants. The trio delves into key elements of the bill, including the phasing out of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions, updates to notice periods, and the introduction of grounds-based possession. They also unpack concerns over the readiness of the court system to handle an expected increase in disputes and how new tribunal services might ease the load... https://www.thisweekinproperty.tv/bacon/