I Buy the Property. My Team Does the Work.

The reason condition is never a barrier for me is straightforward. I do not need to sell the property on to another buyer immediately after purchase. I carry out the refurbishment myself with my own team of contractors and then either let the property or sell it on once the work is complete.

That means I am not dependent on the property being mortgage ready or in a condition that will pass a standard buyer's survey. I can buy a property in any state because I am buying it with cash, refurbishing it myself, and then making the decision about what to do with it after the work is done.

Most buyers on the open market need the property to be in a condition that their mortgage lender will accept. That rules out anything with structural issues, significant damp, roof problems, or other defects that a surveyor would flag. I have no such restriction. Whatever the condition, I can proceed.

An Honest Explanation of How I Price Properties in Poor Condition.

I will always be completely transparent with you about how the condition of your property affects the offer I make. This is not something I will hide or be vague about. Here is exactly how it works.

When I assess a property I am calculating two things simultaneously. The first is what the property will be worth once it has been refurbished and is ready to let or sell. The second is what it will cost my team to carry out the refurbishment required to get it to that point. .

The difference between those two figures, minus my profit margin and the cost of holding the property during the refurbishment period, is what determines the offer I can make. The more work the property needs, the lower the offer relative to its finished value. That is simply the mathematics of how property investment works. .

I will always explain my figures clearly. I will tell you what I think the finished value will be, what I estimate the refurbishment costs to be, and how I have arrived at the offer figure. You will never receive a number without an explanation. If you disagree with any part of my assessment, I am always open to that conversation

Why Holding On to a Property That Needs Work Can Cost More Than Selling.

Many sellers in properties that need significant work are tempted to hold on, either hoping the market will improve or intending to carry out the work themselves before selling. It is worth understanding the real costs of that approach. .

An empty property that needs work costs money every single month it sits unsold. Council tax on an empty property is due after an initial exemption period and some councils charge a significant premium on long term empty properties. Buildings insurance for an empty property is significantly more expensive than standard home insurance and requires a specialist policy. Security costs if the property is in an area where vacant properties are at risk of vandalism or unauthorised occupation add further expense. Ongoing maintenance to prevent further deterioration, for example clearing gutters, maintaining the roof, and preventing water ingress, can add up significantly over time.

On top of those ongoing costs, a property in poor condition on the open market typically attracts a smaller pool of buyers, takes significantly longer to sell, and often faces repeated price reductions as it sits. The combination of ongoing holding costs and eventual price reductions can sometimes result in a worse net outcome than a quick sale to me at a price that reflects the current condition.

The right answer is different for every seller and I will always give you an honest opinion on what I think makes sense for your specific situation.

Legal Issues Are Not Always a Barrier Either.

Condition is not the only thing that can make a property difficult to sell on the open market. Legal complications can be just as challenging and in some cases more so. Properties with short leases are a common example. A flat with a lease of less than 89 years will often be unmortgageable to a standard buyer, effectively cutting off the vast majority of the market. I buy short lease properties because I am not dependent on mortgage finance.

Properties with restrictive covenants, right of way disputes, boundary issues, or other title complications can also be very difficult to sell through an estate agent as these issues often deter buyers or their solicitors. I assess each situation on its own merits and in many cases these complications do not prevent me from proceeding.

Properties with planning issues, enforcement notices, or building regulations certificates that were not obtained can also fall into this category. Again, each situation is different and the only way to find out if I can help is to get in touch and have an honest conversation.

What Happens to the Property After I Buy It.

I think it is useful for sellers to understand what happens to a property after I purchase it, particularly if the property needs significant work.

Once the sale completes and the property is mine, I bring in my own trusted team of contractors who I have worked with across the North West for years. Depending on the scope of work required, the refurbishment might involve anything from a fresh coat of paint and new carpets through to a full rewire, replumb, new roof, structural repairs, new kitchen, new bathroom, and complete redecoration throughout.

I document the entire refurbishment process on my Instagram and Facebook pages so you can see exactly the kind of work I carry out and the standard of finish I achieve. If you would like to see examples of properties I have bought in poor condition and the finished result after refurbishment, follow me on Instagram and you will see the full before and after story for many of the properties I have bought.

Once the refurbishment is complete, the property either goes on the rental market managed by my lettings team or is sold on. That end to end process is what I have built over five years and over 120 properties.