My Journey into Property Investment

How I Started in Property Investment (And How You Can Too)

When I first started investing in property, I had no idea how transformative it would be. Back then, I was focused on building my career as a journalist, but as life sometimes does, unexpected turns led me down a completely different path. If you’re reading this and thinking about property investment, I want to share my story and some practical tips to show you how you can get started—even if it feels overwhelming at first.

My First Step into Property Investment

I was attending university in South Wales, pursuing my degree while also working towards a career in journalism. With fewer lectures than I expected and a good amount of time on my hands, I decided to put that time to good use by learning something new. That’s when I started reading property magazines and watching TV shows like Property Ladder. The more I learned, the more I found myself fascinated by the world of property investment.

It didn’t take long before I decided to buy my first property—a four-bedroom house near the university. It seemed like the perfect student rental, but what I didn’t know at the time was that I was diving into the world of Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs). HMOs have a lot of regulations, and to say I was unprepared for them is an understatement! It was a steep learning curve, but even so, that first purchase was the spark that ignited my property journey.

The Real Turning Point: Redundancy and Realisation

Fast forward a few years, and I was deep into my journalism career. I loved what I did, but life threw me a curveball: I was made redundant. It was a shock, and suddenly, everything felt uncertain. But there was one constant that kept me afloat—my property. Even though I had lost my job, the rental income from that first property kept coming in.

That’s when I had my lightbulb moment. I realised that property wasn’t just a side income—it could be the foundation of financial security. I wasn’t going to rely on a job or anyone else for my financial future. I decided to focus seriously on building a property portfolio that would give me long-term stability.

The Challenges I Faced

But let’s be clear—it wasn’t all smooth sailing. In fact, there were plenty of bumps along the way.

1. Lack of Knowledge: When I first started, I didn’t know much about property investing beyond what I’d read in magazines. I had to learn about regulations, tax implications, and how to manage tenants. It was overwhelming, but I tackled it one step at a time.
2. Regulations: Managing an HMO turned out to be much more complicated than I thought. The regulations seemed endless, and I found myself constantly researching what I needed to do to stay compliant. But I stuck with it, learning as much as I could along the way.
3. Isolation: Property investment can be lonely, especially when you don’t have anyone to turn to for advice. I didn’t have a network of investors or mentors at the time, and that made things harder. But I didn’t give up. I kept reading, learning, and eventually, I invested in property courses to further my education.

A Lesson from the Tortoise and the Hare (With a Twist)

You’ve probably heard the story of the tortoise and the hare, where slow and steady wins the race. But I like to think of this story with a twist, especially when it comes to property investment.

Imagine the tortoise and the hare decide to invest in property. The hare, confident in his quick decision-making, rushes in, buying a flashy property without much research. He’s sure that his speed will lead to fast profits.

Meanwhile, the tortoise takes his time. He reads up on property investment, makes sure he understands the regulations, and thoroughly researches every property he considers. He might move slowly, but he’s building a solid foundation with each step.

As time goes on, the hare realises that his quick decision wasn’t such a good idea. His property has hidden issues he didn’t spot in his rush to buy, and now he’s spending more money than expected.

The tortoise, on the other hand, continues to make steady progress. Each property he buys is well-researched, and over time, his portfolio grows steadily. In the end, it’s the tortoise who comes out ahead—not because he was slow, but because he was methodical, consistent, and committed.

The lesson? Property investment isn’t about rushing in and hoping for the best. It’s about taking the time to do things right and being committed to the long-term process. Just like the tortoise, slow and steady progress often wins the race in property investment.

My Advice to Beginners

One piece of advice I always give to new investors is this: Buy property and wait; don’t wait to buy property. It may sound cliché, but it’s true. Too many people spend years waiting for the “perfect” moment or for everything to line up. But in reality, the best way to learn is by doing.

Take action. You won’t know everything right away, and that’s okay. Surround yourself with like-minded people, get as much education as you can, but don’t let analysis paralysis stop you. You’ll figure it out as you go.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill

How the Property Evaluation Checklist Can Help

When you’re just starting out, there’s so much you don’t know—things you don’t even realise you should be asking. That’s where my Property Evaluation Checklist comes in. It gives you a structured approach to evaluating potential properties, ensuring you cover important aspects like location, property condition, and financial considerations.

The key to success in property investment is buying right. The more due diligence you do before purchasing, the better your chances of making a profitable investment. My checklist provides the essential headings to help you dive deeper and make informed decisions.

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” — Benjamin Franklin

Your Next Step: Take Action

If my story resonates with you, and you’re ready to take your first step into property investment, I encourage you to download my Property Evaluation Checklist. It’s a comprehensive tool that will guide you through the process of assessing properties, and it’s the perfect resource for beginners.

Sign up for my email list to get access to the checklist, plus regular tips, insights, and early access to my training. Remember, success in property investment comes from taking action, staying committed, and learning as you go. You don’t need to have everything figured out to start—just take that first step.

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.” — Chinese Proverb

Conclusion

When I began my journey into property investment, I had no idea where it would lead me. I was simply trying to make the most of my time and learn something new. But through that first property, I discovered a world of opportunity that has given me financial security and independence.

You can achieve the same. Start small, stay committed, and remember: be the tortoise, not the hare. When you fully commit to the process, the rewards will come.

Take Action

Download the Property Evaluation Checklist today and take your first step toward property investment success.