Your Property Podcast

Most property investors think design is just about scatter cushions and paint colours. Julian Maurice — design consultant, former contractor, and HMO investor — says that misunderstanding is costing landlords thousands. In this episode, Julian breaks down why he believes most investors don't actually understand what "profit" means (hint: gross yield tells you nothing), and how applying Dieter Rams' 10 Principles of Good Design — the same framework behind Apple and Porsche — transformed his own property portfolio. We cover: 🏠 Why the average leveraged landlord only keeps 15% profit on turnover — and how letting agents can eat over half of it 🛋️ The £1,500 refurb that can double a flat's monthly profit (real Rightmove example included) 🪑 Why fitted furniture beats IKEA and landlord packs every time — even at double the cost 📐 The hidden design mistakes killing HMO longevity (hint: it's not the ensuites) 🎓 What student co-living blocks can teach us about building to last 20+ years 🧭 Julian's concept of "custodial design" — treating your property like a legacy, not a quick flip Whether you're refurbishing your first single let or managing a portfolio of HMOs, this conversation will change how you think about every pound you spend on design.

From Police Sergeant to £10M Property Portfolio: Rick Gannon's HMO Story | YPN Podcast In this episode of the YPN Podcast, Ant Lyons sits down with prolific property investor and educator Rick Gannon to unpack the emotional story behind his exit from the police force and into property — sparked by a promise made to his son, Ben. Rick shares how he built a portfolio from just 2-3 buy-to-lets into a £10 million business spanning HMOs, serviced accommodation, holiday lets, and multi-unit freehold blocks — plus how he founded and sold his own property management software, GoTenant. We cover: 🏠 Why HMOs offered the fastest route to replacing his police salary 💷 "Momentum investing" — how to recycle your capital instead of running out of money ⚠️ The dangers of borrowing other people's money without a repayment plan 👥 When to hire your first member of staff (and why it should pay for itself) ✅ The compliance mistakes even experienced landlords still make 🐾 What the Renters' Rights Act means for pets, Section 21, and tenant screening 🤝 How to build a harmonious HMO and handle tenant conflict Whether you're just starting out or scaling an existing portfolio, this episode is packed with real, hard-won lessons from someone who's genuinely walked the walk.

Andy Graham talks HMO investing, market survival, and building a business that gives you your life back. In this episode, Ant sits down with Andy Graham — co-founder of HMO Roadmap — to talk about what's really working in HMO investing right now, and what isn't. Andy shares why he's still bullish on UK property despite the Renters' Rights Act, rising costs, and a tougher lending environment, and breaks down the exact numbers he uses to judge a good deal (hint: it's not just about yield). They also get into: 🏠 Why £250 net cashflow per room per month is Andy's baseline for a "good" HMO deal 📊 The difference between return on capital employed and just chasing yield ⚠️ The biggest mistakes new HMO investors make — and the one Andy made himself 🎓 Student lets vs. professional lets vs. social housing — which model fits which investor 💷 How Andy built a clear exit plan and why every deal has to serve it 👨‍👩‍👧 Balancing an ambitious portfolio with fatherhood and knowing when "enough is enough" Whether you're just getting started with your first HMO or scaling a serious portfolio, this is a masterclass in thinking like a professional investor, not just a landlord.

Thinking about flipping property for profit? In this episode, we sit down with Martin Rapley — YPN's resident expert on refurbishment, development, and adding value — to break down exactly how to make sure your flip doesn't turn into a flop. Martin shares his 12 top tips covering the full journey of a flip: understanding your market and target buyer before you even view a property, building an accurate budget (including the hidden costs most investors miss), reverse-engineering your offer price from end value, managing architects and builders effectively, avoiding costly mid-project changes, getting proper contracts in place, and staging your finished property to sell faster. Whether you're planning your first flip or you've got a few under your belt, this conversation is packed with practical, real-world advice to help you protect your profit at every stage. 🔗 Learn more from Martin at refurbishmentmastery.com — including free consultation calls and weekly podcast content.

In this episode, Ant sits down with Markus Zeller — a former pharmaceutical CFO turned property investor — to unpack how he's built a genuine flipping business alongside a demanding corporate career. Markus shares his journey from "accidental landlord" to disciplined property trader, and the finance mindset he's brought with him: locking in profit at the point of purchase, weighing absolute vs. relative returns, and treating opportunity cost as seriously as any spreadsheet model. We dig into a real deal — a smelly, unloved probate bungalow in Southend-on-Sea — and talk through vendor motivation, agent relationships, and the discipline it takes to buy for the market rather than your own taste. Markus also opens up about working with Susie Cole to professionalize his approach, the challenge of staying separate from his corporate identity, and why he believes there's no such thing as overnight success — just years of consistent effort. If you're balancing a full-time career with building a property business, or just want an honest, numbers-driven take on flipping, this one's for you. Topics covered: Accidental landlord to full-time property ambitions Why 20% profit / £50k minimum is his deal criteria The hidden risks of "low value" flips Building trust with agents (and why he discounts what they tell him by 10%) Structuring investor finance: loans vs. profit share Working with a mentor to fill knowledge gaps Time management, work-life balance, and staying disciplined