Joe bought his first property at 21 - a brand-new, city-centre apartment for £110,000. It's not the type of project most of us would get excited about, but he obviously saw something in it, as a few years later he sold it and had turned his £20,000 deposit into a £90k profit. That was in 2011, and after years of honing his craft he’s just bought a 12,000 square foot commercial building at auction, with no prior experience in commercial, and no clear plan for what he’d do with it. Just another hu...
Aug 06, 2025•54 min•Ep. 429
Adam was almost a decade into his surgical training, a few years away from becoming a consultant, and working towards his PHD, when one day he looked up and realised this wasn't what he wanted to do for the next 40 years of his life. He walked away from it all, into a job that he not only found more fulfilling, but that also gave him some free time back to pursue other interests. Fast forward two years (or 22 months to be precise) since he joined our Inside HMO Investing programme, and he's work...
Jul 23, 2025•41 min•Ep. 428
In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly how property investors are using ChatGPT to save hours, cut costs, and make smarter decisions - from drafting legal letters and analysing auction packs to writing snagging reports and creating your own QS. We’ll cover: What AI actually is (in plain English) Why ChatGPT is the most powerful place to start And 9 real-world use cases that are already transforming how investors work Whether you’ve never touched ChatGPT or you’re using it daily, this episode...
Jul 16, 2025•50 min•Ep. 427
Most property investors think they understand leverage because they’ve used a mortgage. But what if that’s just one of many levers available to you? In this episode, I break down 5 other types of leverage that will help you scale faster, make more profit, and finally stop being the bottleneck in your own property business. You’ll hear real examples from my own portfolio, from mastermind clients, and from fellow investors who’ve been able to go further without working more hours. If you’ve ever f...
Jul 02, 2025•28 min•Ep. 426
They say property investing is about managing risk, but nothing prepared me for this project. What should’ve been a straightforward commercial-to-residential conversion turned into an 36-month nightmare - a planning battle that dragged on forever, a builder who cost us £30k before vanishing, and a full team meltdown when everyone (myself included) suddenly disappeared from the business. But here’s the thing: the deal still stacks up. In this episode, I’m breaking down everything that went wrong,...
Mar 19, 2025•27 min•Ep. 425
“They say life throws pebbles before it throws rocks—and if you ignore the early warnings, get ready for an avalanche.” On the morning of my wedding day, I got a call from a tenant. A boiler issue. And guess what? I was still the main contact because, at that point, I was the business. A few years later, I thought I’d cracked it - I’d hired someone to manage our properties so I could sail into the sunset (literally). But what I didn’t realise was that hiring someone into a broken business, witho...
Feb 26, 2025•23 min•Ep. 424
Today’s episode is a must-listen for any property investor chasing success but feeling overwhelmed and out of control behind the scenes. I’m sitting down with Tom Pryor, a past member of our IPI Mastermind group whose transformation from chaos to clarity is nothing short of inspiring. Tom built a thriving short-term rental business, and on paper, everything looked perfect. But behind the scenes he describes it as a mix of crippling anxiety, disorganised systems, and a constant battle to keep up ...
Feb 19, 2025•45 min•Ep. 423
Joe Davies, is one half of a powerhouse property duo who recently made a life-changing move - exiting their successful serviced accommodation management agency in Liverpool and relocating to sunny Spain. Now, while enjoying a slower pace of life, he and his wife Katy are still actively growing their UK property portfolio. I first met Joe and Katy a couple of years ago and was instantly struck by their drive, business acumen, and passion for personal development - qualities that have helped them ...
Feb 12, 2025•47 min•Ep. 422
This is the story of how Kerry Wordley bounced back from losing her job in TV production by developing her obsession for property investment. Over the past couple of years her HMO passion has led to a booming portfolio in Stoke on Trent, giving her career freedom that never previously existed. And it all started from a single project! ******************** Welcome to the Inside Property Investing Podcast with Mike Stenhouse. You're in the right place if you're looking for practical advise and ins...
Jan 22, 2025•15 min•Ep. 421
In this episode I head up to Gateshead to visit Ben Allan as he completes his first HMO conversion, following the advice and support from our Inside HMO Investing programme. Starting with a hands-on approach, Ben shares how his background as a joiner helped him tackle nearly every aspect of the renovation himself—saving money, building confidence, and creating a high-yielding property. We discuss the challenges he faced, from navigating stressful bridging loans to uncovering hidden surprises in ...
Jan 19, 2025•16 min•Ep. 420
If you’ve ever struggled with the mental anguish of running a property business - the highs and lows, the loneliness and isolation, wondering if you’re doing the right thing or if it’s worth all the stress - I just want you to know that you’re not alone. A few weeks ago I came across a post on social media from today’s guest, Sean Toomey, that indicated he had been through a struggle on his latest project - juggling debt and finances, as well as seeking some sort of approval or validation from s...
Jan 08, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 419
Let's get ready for success in 2025 with 7 lessons and insights from my planning process over the past 12 months. ******************** Welcome to the Inside Property Investing Podcast with Mike Stenhouse. You're in the right place if you're looking for practical advise and inspiring stories to help you build a thriving property investment business and create more freedom in your own life. Free up 10+ hours in your property business >> Start your application for the IPI Mastermind >> ...
Jan 02, 2025•34 min•Ep. 418
I’ve been banging on for years about property as a means to an end rather than the end itself, so I’m thrilled to share today’s episode with you, with Julie Talbot. Many of you might know her already from social media, and if you’ve been listening to the podcast for long enough you may remember her story from back in 2018 when she first appeared on the show, as an expat living in Abu Dhabi. Well, all these years later, she’s still building her portfolio, and still not living in the UK, but now t...
Nov 07, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 417
It's been an interesting 18 months to say the least. Dig into today's episode to find out what's been going on in our business and our life, and what you can learn from it to avoid the same mistakes. Links mentioned in today's episode: Commercial to Resi Open Day - https://www.insidepropertyinvesting.com/openday The IPI Mastermind - https://go.insidepropertyinvesting.com/mastermind-waitlist/ Find out more about my travel biz - https://form.jotform.com/241374322109348 ******************** Welcome...
Oct 25, 2024•56 min•Ep. 416
This is the story of how Kath Gibb took on one of the biggest projects of her career - renovating and converting a Grade II listed pub into a hugely profitable mixed use investment. Find Kath on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/anetoproperties/ Watch the interview on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXgwSfMKJwg&t=45s ******************** Welcome to the Inside Property Investing Podcast with Mike Stenhouse. You're in the right place if you're looking for practical advise and ins...
Oct 16, 2024•20 min•Ep. 415
The Renters Reform bill has been on the agenda for UK Government since it was first proposed in 2019, but with Labour’s win in the 2024 general election, it looks as though it will be reprioritised by Keir Starmer’s party under a new name - the Renters’ Rights Bill. And with the bill being brought forward by a left leaning party, it’s no surprise that the focus will be on providing more security and protection for tenants while ensuring landlords know their responsibilities. In today's episode, ...
Jul 18, 2024•9 min•Ep. 414
Today, I am delighted to be joined by Michelle Cairns. You may have come across her in many different guises over the years. She's been in the property industry since 2015 and is most prominently known as the host of the YPN podcast—a remarkable platform that offers invaluable insights into the property world. Michelle is an exceptional host and today, we're turning the tables to dive into her fascinating story. She has hosted numerous property networking events and is a successful property inve...
Jun 19, 2024•59 min•Ep. 413
Today, we have the pleasure of introducing Louise Smith, a remarkable figure whose story is as compelling as it is inspiring. In the world of horseback riding, Louise is a seasoned equestrian, but her talents and ambitions stretch far beyond the stables. Her venture into the realm of property investment began around 2006, a time shadowed by the looming financial crisis. Yet, with savvy and timing on her side, Louise made a purchase that not only withstood the economic downturn but also taught he...
May 15, 2024•47 min•Ep. 412
A couple of weeks ago, we hosted a masterclass on supported living. I'll be honest—I'm far from an expert in supported living, with my knowledge mostly coming from quick Google searches. That's why I invited a good friend and an expert in the field, Chris Bermit, to lead the content for that day. While I took on the role of host, the real insights came from Chris, especially when he introduced us to Laura Ackers, today's special guest. Before this masterclass, I hadn't met Laura, but her present...
May 08, 2024•43 min•Ep. 411
I first crossed paths with Daniel a few months ago, during one of our commercial to residential open days. Daniel, along with all our guests, shared his introduction, and right away, it was clear he was someone whose story deserved the spotlight. His tale is a beacon of inspiration and motivation, showcasing the remarkable possibilities that come with determination and vision. Daniel's venture into the world of property began about seven years ago, alongside his dad and brother. Together, they e...
May 01, 2024•53 min•Ep. 410
Six years ago, Philippa and Tom Charrier, the dynamic duo behind the Fat Properties brand, graced the IPI podcast with their presence to share the humble beginnings of their student HMO ventures in Lancaster—my old university haunt. About half a year later, Tom made a return appearance to drop a bombshell: he was ditching his day job to plunge headfirst into property investment. We dove deep into their thought process, the meticulous planning that paved the way for this bold move, and why the ti...
Apr 24, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 409
I am thrilled to be back today with an episode I am so excited for you to listen to with an amazing lady called Sabine Abdou, a property investor who comes from a background in corporate negotiations - a really switched-on individual who applies her corporate expertise to a lot of the deals that she is doing in property. And today we get into some of those details I think you will find really interesting, like how she applies that background in corporate negotiations to securing all money out de...
Apr 17, 2024•51 min•Ep. 408
Welcome back, dear listeners, to a very special episode that feels like a long-awaited reunion with an old friend. Seven years have flown by since we first sat down with one of the most memorable guests to grace our show, Jasper Ribbers. With over 400 episodes under our belt, Jasper's name still lights up conversations at events, and it's easy to see why. His journey wasn't about amassing a vast portfolio or raking in eye-watering sums of money. No, Jasper's story struck a chord because it was a...
Feb 28, 2024•53 min•Ep. 407
Today, we're diving into the remarkable journey of Matthew Sheriff, a go-getter who kicked off his investing career with minimal experience, limited time due to a full-time job, and scarce capital. If you've ever felt the squeeze of juggling various commitments while pursuing your investment goals, Matthew's story will surely resonate with you. What's truly inspiring is how, in a relatively short span from 2018 to 2019, Matthew turned these challenges into opportunities, successfully establishin...
Feb 21, 2024•52 min•Ep. 406
In today's episode, I’m going to show you why HMOs are the single best investment option for you if you’re looking to create more freedom in your life - whether that freedom looks like more money, to spend now or build wealth for the future, or like more time, to quit a job, do something you’re more passionate about, or just spend it doing the things you love with the people you love. This is a recording of the kick-off call for our upcoming HMO Challenge that I hosted live with a group of aspir...
Feb 12, 2024•51 min•Ep. 405
Today, I'm thrilled to introduce you to David Kidd, a seasoned investor who has made remarkable strides in his journey towards financial and time freedom. Over the past year, David has transitioned from being a part-time property investor to a full-time endeavor, achieving the kind of success many aspire to emulate. Not only has he attained financial freedom, but he has also gained valuable time to spend with his young family, which has been a driving force in his pursuit. With a diverse portfol...
Feb 07, 2024•56 min•Ep. 404
Today's guest is no stranger to the show, despite actually never appearing on a podcast episode with us in the past. And that is because his wife, his partner in crime, Jackie Tomes, has been a guest several times in the past and often refers to ‘Detail Dave’ with affection during those interviews. Today I'm thrilled to be joined by Dave himself talking through what really gets him excited and fired up, which is all things numbers, spreadsheets, and data to help make sure that as property invest...
Jan 31, 2024•54 min•Ep. 403
Today's guest, George Ball, brings a unique perspective to the property industry. With a background in sales, George has crafted a highly profitable strategy in land assembly. This involves negotiating with multiple homeowners or property owners to create parcels of land that he secures planning for. He then either develops these himself or sells them on to another developer for a considerable profit. However, George realized that alongside these substantial profits, he also wanted more recurrin...
Jan 24, 2024•48 min•Ep. 402
Hey folks, welcome to what was supposed to be episode 400 of the Inside Property Investing podcast, but apparently is episode 401. What I thought would be nice to celebrate 400 episodes and almost nine years of the podcast was to run through some of the biggest lessons that I've learned from the various podcast interviews that I've done - some from specific guests and others just by osmosis from hearing them time and time again from lots of different people succeeding in the property world and t...
Jan 19, 2024•53 min•Ep. 401
I'm just coming out of my little Christmas / New Year hibernation. I've been up in Scotland for a couple of weeks at my folks house with Victoria and our little girl, hanging out with family and eating all the food and watching all the Christmas films and doing all that stuff. So I just want to start off by wishing you a massive Happy New Year, whatever you've been up to, whatever holidays you celebrate. I hope you had a good little break whilst everyone else shut down and you're feeling refresh...
Jan 04, 2024•27 min•Ep. 400
