Larger Property Deals and Diversification - Taking the Business to the Next Level

2024 was a year of bigger projects, diversification, and expansion. As we continued to refine our property business operations, we also made the move into larger developments, high-yield projects, and quick capital strategies. This shift wasn’t just about growing our portfolio—it was about building a more sustainable and scalable property business that could thrive in different market conditions.

Scaling Up with Larger Property Deals and Diversification

At the start of the year, we secured our first commercial-to-residential conversion—a warehouse in the Midlands. Initially, the plan was to convert it into a 17-unit studio-style HMO, but after deeper analysis, we saw the potential to increase the unit count to 25. With planning already approved for 17 units, we are now in the process of amending it to accommodate the full 25. This project is ongoing and is set to be one of the largest in our portfolio once complete.

Alongside the warehouse deal, we also acquired two pubs, both of which are being converted into high-yielding HMOs—one into a 20-studio development and the other into 15 studios. These projects represent a shift in our approach, moving away from traditional HMOs into larger, more lucrative conversions that can generate substantial long-term cash flow.

On top of these, we also secured a smaller but strategic acquisition—an existing 7-bed HMO that was only operating as a 6-bed. We saw a great opportunity to increase its value, and the plan here is simple: obtain planning for the 7th room, refinance with a commercial lender, and pull out as much capital as possible.

Once all of these developments are completed, we will have added 61 new units to our portfolio, which will have a major impact on both our long-term cash flow and our overall business valuation. Our aim is to have these projects completed by the end of 2025.

Diversification – Injecting Quick Capital

Larger developments are great for wealth-building and cash flow, but they take a long time to complete. While these projects were progressing, we started thinking about how to bring in quicker capital to keep growing without waiting years for developments to finish.

That’s where flipping properties came in. We had been watching the market and knew that London offered strong margins and high demand, making it an ideal location for quick-turnaround deals. Unlike HMOs or commercial conversions, flipping allows us to buy, refurbish, and sell properties quickly, generating fast capital returns to reinvest in the business.

In the second half of 2024, we actively prepared for this new approach, refining our strategy and building relationships with the right people. By the last quarter of the year, we secured our first three flips. The plan for these is simple:

✔ Buy undervalued properties in strong location

✔ Renovate efficiently to maximise resale value

✔ Sell quickly for a substantial profit

By diversifying in this way, we are creating a balanced strategy—maintaining long-term wealth-building through large developments while securing short-term capital boosts through quick flips.

Exploring Supported Living

Another strategy we explored in 2024 was supported living—a sector with strong demand and high cash flow potential. We got involved in a new-build project for 16 supported living apartments, but unfortunately, due to various factors, the deal didn’t go ahead.

Despite this, we didn’t give up on supported living. We began assessing our existing properties to see if any could be adapted for supported living tenants. This involved discussions with providers and gaining a deeper understanding of the requirements for these types of accommodations.

While this is still a learning process, supported living remains a promising area for future investment, offering strong social impact alongside financial returns.

The Challenges and Lessons of 2024

Every year brings new challenges, and 2024 was no different. We faced delays, planning hurdles, unexpected costs, and plenty of problem-solving moments. But at the same time, we learned valuable lessons about:

✅ Scaling with larger projects while maintaining financial stability

✅ Balancing long-term developments with short-term cash injections

✅ Expanding into new strategies like flipping and supported living

✅ Adapting to market changes and staying ahead of the competition

One of the biggest takeaways from this year was the importance of staying flexible. Having multiple strategies running at once—larger developments, flipping, and supported living—meant that even when one area slowed down, we had other revenue streams keeping the business moving forward.

2024 – A Year of Growth, Change, and New Strategies

Looking back, 2024 was a year of pushing boundaries and taking calculated risks. It was a year of large property deals and diversification. We didn’t just stick to what we knew—we took on larger projects, entered new markets, and adapted our business model to ensure long-term sustainability.

The key lesson? The property business is always evolving, and so must we.

What’s Next?

In the next blog post, we’ll talk about our strategy for the year ahead—where we see the business going, the projects we’re prioritising, and how we plan to scale even further.

Stay tuned! 🚀