What a year so far...

I don't mean this post to be a "blowing my own trumpet type one"… I just wanted to provide a little hope, maybe inspiration, for those starting out in their own business or beginning in property investment. What you read in those self help books does work!

I maybe don’t shout about what I do and what I’m up to enough. I put that down to impostor syndrome mostly. If I’m honest, I’m still relatively new to this investing game, and I still pinch myself when I’m speaking to or dealing with some of the better-known names on the circuit. I spend most of time talking to or knocking around with the likes of Paul Million, Matthew Scott, Paul Tinker and Ben Quaintrell these days. People I look up to and admire in this field. People who've got to where I want to be, or who's opinions I take notice of. Surround yourself with positive people, those ahead of you and you can't help but be wept up with them.

I think though that gradually I’m starting to realise that the knowledge and experience I have can bring massive value to people & projects, so at the beginning of this year I decided I'd really push myself out of my comfort zone and have tried something different.

So let me bring you up to speed with where I’m at… At the beginning of the year I told myself that I didn’t want to use any of my own money for investing in property anymore. I've invested loads of time and money in getting to this point, putting myself, my family and finances under immense stress at times as I've pushed to get to this moment. Over this time I feel I've earned my stripes and proven I can do this, so now I wanted to bring my experience in the architectural and property investment areas as my input into any new venture, with my time, skills and expertise being my contribution to whatever was the agreed % share of a new SPV. I’d also be bringing a little exposure to my business partners (if desired) through the various channels of media I get involved in, plus I bring a pretty decent network of property folk into the mix - trades, experience, contacts, etc.

If I’m completely honest, I only expected to be carrying on doing BRR (Buy, Refurbish, Refinance) deals and building up the residential portfolio using our current or previous pool of investors, but I have now just exchanged contracts on another new commercial conversion JV, and it’s going to be a cracker.

So just coming into November in this slightly strange year I have now agreed 3 commercial conversion JVs (The Bank Job, The Church and now the Seaside one), bought, refurbed & refinanced another BRR project taken on earlier in the year, and we’re now in legals for another BRR project, all funded by investment or JV partners. Other than a little bit of portfolio income going into some of these deals, very little (I won’t say none, as there’s always some cost!) of the money in my back pocket has been used to achieve this.

During this time I’ve also gone from salaried employment to self-employment (just as Covid hit), fell through the cracks of most 'Rona based handouts, managed to source (and with the help of my business partner) and manage approx. 30 SA units during lockdown for a big contractor gig, take on an office and staff member for my architectural business (Grant Hewitt - he's a good'un ), been asked to contribute to a monthly property magazine (WTF!!! I’d love to see the look on my old school teachers faces), appeared on podcasts for people I really respect in this space, been invited to present at property training organisation’s mentorship/ mastermind groups, and lastly buy a new (well, older) family rocket ship that I’ve always had my heart set on.

Some deals have fallen through the net too, so this could have been a much greater (albeit more stressful) year. One development was close to a ￡500k purchase price!  It would have been nice to have secured that, but it’s not the end of the world. There’s a level of trust & relationship there now between those involved, and it’s raised everyone who was involved's glass ceiling and their belief in what could be achieved.

WHAT. A. MENTAL. YEAR!!!!

I really can’t stress this enough, and I know Paul would agree too (as would many others), but this has all been made possible by the power of the network around me. This, teamed with my unhealthy addiction to all things property, means I live and breathe this shit, and people seem to see some value in this! It’s flattering to have people trust me as much as they do and feel safe enough to invest their money through me! Although I’ve been doing architectural stuff for way too long now, I only started properly investing around 5 years ago. It’s true what they say - just keep at it, be consistent, and you will get to where you want to. It completely is a snowball!

I’ve been approached to help with some other brilliant future projects too, (I’ll update you all when allowed) so I’m looking forward to keeping the momentum going now into next year. Business at Rocket is booming, whether helping fellow investors or homeowners, and although the hours can be long sometimes, it feels great to be building something for ourselves rather than working for higher powers or shareholders. If you enjoy what you do it doesn't feel like work! I’m even looking to take on another employee to keep up with the work and allow me more time to develop the business, and I've been talking to other companies about teaming up with them to offer more service lines, a full “start to finish” architectural/ construction service. .

I also feel privileged to have been invited to help some investors step up their own property games too. They’re taking the next step up the ladder, whether that be via development, conversion or just getting their first investment property, so to be asked to help make this happen is an awesome feeling.

I can’t believe how lucky I’ve been since we started The Property Thing (https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepropertything) a year and a bit ago, and I can’t wait to be able to kick things off again with the live events.

To those just starting out, it will be tough, and there will be times where you will face emotional and financial stress. When the 'Rona hit I shit myself thinking about how I was going to keep supporting my family, but I have found that every time I take myself out of my comfort zone, my brain shifts up a gear and I hustle/ create a way to support myself. I’m not too proud to admit that I did take a mortgage holiday on my own home, just in case. Thankfully though, I was able to increase my income significantly during lockdown period by not just rolling over and expecting to be looked after. In the end I didn’t really end up needing that safety net, but don’t be too stubborn or proud to admit it if you need help like that!

So, what have I done to get here? Nowt special I don’t think, but here’s what I think everyone starting out or pushing on needs to be doing.

· Get yourself out there. Meet people. Help people. Get your name about the place. I’m still not 100% comfortable with writing stuff like this and sticking on the tinterweb! But I know it will help someone in me doing so.

· Be yourself!!! This is a massive one. So many people I bump into at larger property networking events seem to have a mask on portraying who they believe people want them to be. Online, some people are only showing the wins and not the downtimes of this property rollercoaster. They’re afraid to make a mistake, look a bit silly if they say or do the wrong thing, or they won't let their hair down and enjoy an event or the journey! I drink, swear, get the piss taken out of me, spill curry down my beard at events, but I’m enjoy myself while cracking on. Don't take yourself too seriously!

· Absorb everything you can! Never stop learning about property, business or investing – it doesn’t have to just be property related, as so much of the stuff is transferable. Podcasts, Audible, Books, Magazines, News Articles, TV shows. Soak it all up!

· I am “all-in” on property. I work in property, invest in property, read about property, talk about property, and dream about property. I can imagine my wife and kids hate it. The kids certainly roll their eyes or leave the room when I manage to wrestle the remote control from their grasp and stick HGTV on!

· Believe in yourself & what you know. This is the one that took me the longest. When I set out I had a goal, a vision. I probably won’t achieve that initial goal (20 BTL properties between myself and business partner in 5 yrs - ￡2k each per month NET), but that’s not because I’ll fail to reach that monetary target I set. It’s because I won’t own 20 BTL’s. I’ve been open to opportunities as they’ve arisen, so from having just one strategy in mind – BTLs, I now operate BTLs, HMOs, SAs, and soon to be Holiday Lets via these bigger, chunkier commercial conversions.

"People Tend To Overestimate What Can Be Done In One Year And To Underestimate What Can Be Done In Five Or Ten Years"

This is so true!

· Don't be greedy. Be fair and kind to others you deal with. Is it worth missing out on a deal or JV because your demands are too high?? Is it worth getting a fully "all money out" deal while pissing off good trades you'll want to keep hold of for future projects, all for the sake of a few ￡k?

· Keep to your word and do as you say. A big one for me. If I say I'll do something, I'll make sure I do, even if the outcome isn't going to be great for me or might cost me time or money. Having people see me as honest & trustworthy is far more important. I don't want to be seen as "all fart and no shit" as Paul would say??

· Help others and add value to their situation, your network and others around you. I maybe don’t offer as much of my time as Mr. Million does, but if anyone asks I’m always free via text, email or the dog n bone. I love coffee or a pint if someone needs to chat. You’d also be surprised at what you know and what you can offer others too, even if it’s just as a sanity check to their latest idea or scheme!

I hope this helps a few of you, as I know from some of the conversations I've had that some have been finding it difficult at times. Just keep on keeping on as it does get easier, and you're doing great already!

Thank you to everyone on here for helping me grow and achieve this. It's only when you write it all down and step back that you see how much you've developed, even if you think you're standing still!

If anyone ever needs support or advice, you know where I am.