Rob talks about the surprising trend of countries, including Poland, buying large amounts of gold, focussing on the potential reasons behind this, such as a shift towards a new gold standard and the need for countries to meet the gold to GDP ratio requirement set by the EU. KEY TAKEAWAYS Poland's central bank has been aggressively buying gold in recent years, with the goal of bringing its gold to GDP ratio in line with the eurozone average. This suggests that there may be a potential shift towar...
Jan 04, 2024•14 min•Ep. 440
Rob is here to wish you a very happy new year, and three interesting facts about January 1st, including the introduction of the Julian calendar, the first time the Union Jack flag was flown in Dublin, and the overthrow of a Cuban dictator... KEY TAKEAWAYS Rob shares three random facts about January 1st, including the use of the Julian calendar in 45 BC, the first flying of the Union Jack flag in Dublin in 1801, and the overthrow of the Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista by Fidel Castro's forces in...
Jan 01, 2024•4 min•Ep. 439
Rob is joined by Marc Champ of Wharf Financial to discuss their predictions for 2023. They review their previous predictions, which included topics such as bridging finance, Bank of England rates, inflation, house prices, and the future of nuclear energy. They also assess the accuracy of their predictions and discuss the current state of the market... KEY TAKEAWAYS Bridging finance has not dissipated as predicted, but there has been a decrease in the number of new bridging companies entering the...
Dec 28, 2023•26 min•Ep. 438
Rob shares three funky Christmas facts, including the origin of the word "Christmas," the tradition of hanging stockings, and the history behind Boxing Day. He's also here to wish listeners a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! KEY TAKEAWAYS The term "Christmas" is a contraction of "Christ's Mass," derived from Middle English and Old English phrases. The tradition of hanging stockings comes from the Dutch custom of leaving shoes filled with food for St. Nicholas's donkeys, who would leave smal...
Dec 25, 2023•4 min•Ep. 437
Rob is here to discuss a potential mortgage liquidity crisis that is brewing in the commercial property sector. Rob explains that the shift towards remote work has left many office spaces empty, decreasing their value and creating challenges for landlords and property owners. This crisis could have significant impacts on mortgage lending, interest rates, and portfolios... KEY TAKEAWAYS A mortgage liquidity crisis is potentially brewing in the commercial property sector, which could have signific...
Dec 21, 2023•9 min•Ep. 436
Marc Champ of Wharf Financial joins Rob to discuss the current state of the property market. Despite the usual slowdown during the festive season, Marc reveals that he has been unusually busy in recent weeks, attributing this to the decrease in interest rates, which has prompted investors to re-enter the market. They discuss the types of properties that are in demand, such as terrace houses for conversion into HMOs and houses for conversion into flats, and also shares insights into the lending l...
Dec 18, 2023•10 min•Ep. 435
Rob looks at the disappointment surrounding the UK government's decision to not include the leasehold ban in its new housing reform law. He stresses the importance of doing thorough research and having a reliable solicitor when purchasing a property, especially when it comes to leasehold houses and the potential issues with service charges and ground rents, and also touches on the political dynamics and speculate about the future of leasehold reforms under a Labour government. KEY TAKEAWAYS The ...
Dec 14, 2023•11 min•Ep. 434
Rob discusses two lighthearted yet absurd stories involving councils and their inefficiencies. The first story revolves around a West London council that sent bailiffs to collect unpaid council tax for a property that the council itself owned. This level of incompetence not only wasted taxpayer money but also caused distress to the individual involved. The second story highlights the financial struggles of councils, with Nottingham City Council and Birmingham City Council filing for bankruptcy. ...
Dec 11, 2023•10 min•Ep. 433
Rob examines an interesting law change that could potentially double council tax for second homeowners in Bath and North East Somerset, UK. As he explains, it is primarily a means for the council to generate more revenue, and Rob questions whether doubling the council tax will actually incentivise second homeowners to bring their empty properties back onto the market, as the affluent nature of the area may mean that the increased tax is easily affordable for most... KEY TAKEAWAYS The council in ...
Dec 07, 2023•8 min•Ep. 432
Rob discusses the recent extension of the mortgage guarantee scheme by the government, which allows individuals with a small deposit to apply for a government-backed 95% mortgage guarantee, enabling them to get on the housing ladder. While this may seem like a great opportunity, Rob highlights the potential risks involved, particularly if the value of the property decreases in the future. KEY TAKEAWAYS The government has extended the mortgage guarantee scheme for 18 months, allowing people with ...
Dec 04, 2023•8 min•Ep. 431
Rob discusses the exciting changes in the property industry following the UK autumn budget. The Chancellor announced reforms to streamline the system, including a new permitted development right that allows one house to be converted into two homes without the need for full planning permission. This game-changing development opens up new opportunities for property investors and developers to increase housing supply and potentially make significant profits. KEY TAKEAWAYS The UK autumn budget intro...
Nov 30, 2023•8 min•Ep. 430
Rob welcomes back Adrian Benjamin to discuss property protection strategies. Adrian, with his corporate background and experience in property sourcing, shares valuable insights on how to protect yourself and your property business. They delve into the benefits of setting up a limited company for tax efficiency and how to utilise products like life insurance and executive income protection through the business. KEY TAKEAWAYS Setting up a limited company for a property business can provide tax eff...
Nov 27, 2023•23 min•Ep. 429
Rob discusses the potential impact of rising inflation on the economy, explaining that as pay rises outstrip inflation, people will demand higher compensation to cover the increased cost of living. This, in turn, leads to increased overheads for businesses, which may result in higher prices for consumers... KEY TAKEAWAYS Inflation is expected to increase due to pay rises outstripping inflation in recent years. When pay increases exceed inflation, companies may pass on the increased costs to cons...
Nov 23, 2023•8 min•Ep. 428
Rob delves into the topic of heat pumps and their suitability for British homes, highlighting the potential disadvantages such as increased bills and the need for proper insulation. Rob also address the issue of noise levels, stating that heat pumps may be too noisy for built-up areas and terraced houses. KEY TAKEAWAYS Heat pumps are considered too noisy for British homes, despite plans to install millions of them. This poses a challenge for homeowners and the implementation of heat pump technol...
Nov 20, 2023•9 min•Ep. 427
Rob talks about the potential introduction of inheritance tax and stamp duty cuts in the upcoming autumn budget, speculating on the impact these cuts could have on the housing market, with the possibility of stimulating demand and increasing prices. KEY TAKEAWAYS There are rumours that inheritance tax and stamp duty cuts could be introduced in the upcoming autumn budget, which could potentially impact the housing market. The introduction of inheritance tax cuts could be beneficial for many indiv...
Nov 16, 2023•6 min•Ep. 426
Rob talks about the bankruptcy filing of WeWork, a shared office firm that was once valued at $38 billion. He highlights the significance of this event, as it indicates potential opportunities in the commercial property sector. With WeWork likely handing back real estate to banks and landlords, there may be deals to be done and empty properties available for acquisition. KEY TAKEAWAYS WeWork, a shared office firm once valued at $38 billion, has been forced to file for bankruptcy in the US. This ...
Nov 13, 2023•9 min•Ep. 425
Rob recaps the key points from the recent King's speech, focusing on housing-related announcements. The first major point is the introduction of a new leasehold and freehold bill, which will ban leaseholds for new houses in England and Wales. Additionally, the standard lease extension period will be increased to 990 years. Rob talks about the potential benefits of these changes, such as providing clarity and security for homeowners. KEY TAKEAWAYS The King's speech announced a new leasehold and f...
Nov 09, 2023•8 min•Ep. 424
Rob interviews Adrian Benjamin, a financial protection specialist with over 10 years of experience in the banking industry. Adrian shares his expertise on protecting wealth for the short, medium, and long term, with a focus on family life planning. He discusses the importance of life insurance, wills, and trusts, and highlights the need for comprehensive protection in case of unforeseen events., focussing upon the affordability of these measures and addresses common misconceptions about insuranc...
Nov 06, 2023•27 min•Ep. 423
Rob dives deep into the two reasons why achieving net zero emissions is not feasible. highlighting the lack of infrastructure in the world's electric grids to support the rapid growth of renewable energy, and the issue of cost, emphasising that the implementation of environmental initiatives often leads to increased expenses for consumers. KEY TAKEAWAYS The world's electric grids are currently incapable of supporting renewable energy goals, putting government's climate goals at risk. The lack of...
Nov 02, 2023•11 min•Ep. 422
Rob discusses the concerning increase in government debt in the UK, which is the largest peacetime increase in over 300 years. Rob highlights the potential consequences of high levels of national debt, such as difficulty in funding public services and responding to economic crises, and touches on the trebling of the debt ratio in the last 15 years alone, with the ratio of debt to GDP reaching over 100%. KEY TAKEAWAYS The UK has experienced the largest peacetime increase in government debt in ove...
Oct 30, 2023•13 min•Ep. 421
Rob is joined once more by Marc Champ of Wharf Financial to discuss the current state of the property market. They touch on topics such as interest rates, inflation, and the potential for a slowdown in the market. Marc shares insights from his conversations with industry professionals and highlights the opportunities that can arise during a slowdown. KEY TAKEAWAYS There is a general perception that interest rates may have peaked and could potentially come down, but recent bond sales could lead t...
Oct 25, 2023•14 min•Ep. 420
Rob discusses six ways to add value to your home or property portfolio, beginning by questioning the accuracy of an article that claims certain home improvements can significantly increase property value. Rob emphasises that the effectiveness of these improvements is location-dependent and highlights the importance of creating a unique selling point when selling a property. The episode explores various home improvements, such as loft conversions, garage conversions, garden offices, conservatorie...
Oct 22, 2023•16 min•Ep. 419
To Get £100 off of your solar panels and to get a quote for your home - www.makemyhousegreen.com/?utm_source=tpn_podcast Rob is joined by Greg Chamber, the Head of Product and Customer Experience at Make My House Green. They discuss the benefits of solar panels for landlords and tenants, as well as the process of getting solar panels installed on rental properties. Greg explains how Make My House Green helps landlords estimate savings, increase property value, and attract tenants by offering gre...
Oct 18, 2023•31 min•Ep. 418
Rob discusses the importance of diversifying residency and building a global safety net. Drawing from his personal experience of obtaining temporary residency in Mexico, he emphasises the need to have a backup plan in case of unforeseen events or challenges in one's home country, and explores various ways to obtain secondary residencies or passports, such as through financial means, marriage, or ancestry. KEY TAKEAWAYS Diversifying residency and obtaining a secondary passport is crucial for buil...
Oct 15, 2023•16 min•Ep. 417
Get your free ticket for 3 days of GREAT property education and networking. 20th - 22nd October: https://progressivepropertyreferral.com/live-multiple-streams-of-property-income-peterborough-20-22-october-2023-1694096212/AMB4692 Rob talks about the housing crisis in Europe, focusing on an article from France 24, highlighting the soaring costs, lack of supply, and high interest rates that are pricing out renters and deterring prospective buyers. Rob draws parallels to the housing crisis in the UK...
Oct 11, 2023•9 min•Ep. 416
Get your free ticket for 3 days of GREAT property education and networking. 20th - 22nd October: https://progressivepropertyreferral.com/live-multiple-streams-of-property-income-peterborough-20-22-october-2023-1694096212/AMB4692 Rob discusses a major mistake to avoid when it comes to insulating homes and rental properties. - the issue of using spray foam insulation in the roof, which can have serious long-term consequences... KEY TAKEAWAYS Spray foam insulation in the roof can have serious long-...
Oct 08, 2023•9 min•Ep. 415
Get your free ticket for 3 days of GREAT property education and networking. 20th - 22nd October: https://progressivepropertyreferral.com/live-multiple-streams-of-property-income-peterborough-20-22-october-2023-1694096212/AMB4692 Rob discusses the recent mortgage rate cuts and the potential impact of inflation on the housing market. While the news of mortgage rates dipping below 6% may seem positive, Rob expresses skepticism due to the possibility of double or triple dip inflation, explaining tha...
Oct 04, 2023•7 min•Ep. 414
Rob looks into the topic of commercial property and discuss an interesting article about London's office market, highlighting that London's office space is currently experiencing its highest vacancy rates in 30 years, with a 20% contraction in office usage due to post-pandemic hybrid working and a preference for greener buildings in the suburbs. Rob discusses the fact that this trend presents significant opportunities for investors and developers, as commercial property giants like land securiti...
Oct 01, 2023•11 min•Ep. 413
The Bank of England surprised quite a few people recently by keeping the base rate at 5.25%. With a multitude of reasons floating around as to why they have decided to do that, Rob is here to give you his own personal spin on why that's happened. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Bank of England has decided to keep the base interest rate at 5.25%, which is the first time it has remained stagnant since November 2021. Despite some people getting excited about the rate remaining the same, there are indications tha...
Sep 27, 2023•9 min•Ep. 412
Rob discusses the proposed oil boiler ban set to take effect in 2026 and its potential impact on rural households in the UK. He highlights the concerns raised by homeowners who rely on oil boilers, particularly those living in areas without access to mains gas, and explores a trial taking place in a small hamlet in Cornwall, where residents are using hydrotreated vegetable oil as an alternative to kerosene. KEY TAKEAWAYS There is a proposed oil boiler ban from 2026 that will affect about 1.7 mil...
Sep 24, 2023•15 min•Ep. 411
