FM Properties

31/08/2026

Why we’re bringing our property management in-house 👇

We’ve made the decision to employ a Portfolio Manager and bring the management of our properties in-house, and for us, the timing makes perfect sense.

As we look at our current portfolio and, more importantly, the pipeline of properties we’re building, the numbers simply don’t stack up for us to continue outsourcing everything to a letting agent.

Financially, it makes more sense to have someone working solely on our portfolio, giving us:
✔️ Better control
✔️ More reliable management
✔️ A more personal service for our tenants
✔️ Faster decision-making
✔️ Greater oversight of the day-to-day running of the portfolio

But decisions like this shouldn’t be made on gut feeling.

One of the most important things we do in our business is regularly monitor our Profit & Loss.

We know what’s coming in, what’s going out, what each property is costing us and where our money is being spent.

Because you can’t change what you don’t measure 😉

Looking at the numbers allows us to make informed decisions, spot opportunities to improve profitability and put the right systems and people in place as the business grows.

For us, bringing management in-house is another step towards building a more efficient, scalable and profitable property business LONGTERM!🙌

17/08/2026

The importance of ridge height when doing a loft conversion 👇

One thing we always look at when assessing a loft conversion is the ridge height.

This property had a huge ridge height, which has made a massive difference. Combined with lowering the floors throughout, we’ve been able to create 2 really good-sized rooms on the second floor.

We’ve got a studio-style room within the L-shaped dormer, and a small tea station in the en-suite, and both rooms are genuinely comfortable spaces.

From experience, the front room in a loft conversion can often be the pokiest room in the house and, despite what the numbers might suggest, can be much harder to let for the expected rent.

Put yourself in the tenant’s shoes.

Yes, you want to maximise the number of bedrooms, but there’s no point creating an extra room if it’s uncomfortable, awkward or difficult to rent.

It’s very easy to fall into the trap of thinking “how many rooms can we squeeze out of this property?”

But the better question is:

“Would I actually want to live in this room?”

Creating good-quality, comfortable rooms might mean slightly fewer bedrooms in some projects, but in the long term, they’re much easier to let, can command better rents and will hopefully keep your tenants happier.

Maximising bedrooms isn’t always the same as maximising your return. 🏡

10/08/2026

10 days of…sunshine, sand, pure family time, adventures, exploring, monkeys and sharks, relaxing, recharging, planning, a small amount of work and a broken toe 🤣 👌 perfect 😍

07/08/2026

Good old passive income... 👇

There's nothing "passive" about building passive income.

It takes years of hard work, learning, setbacks, sacrifices and consistency before you see the rewards.

People often see the results but not the journey behind them.

For us, passive income isn't about sitting on a beach doing nothing.

It's about having choice.

The choice to be present with our children.

The choice to work around our family, not the other way round.

The choice to build a life on our terms.

Years of hard work today can create years of freedom tomorrow.

That's why we're willing to put the work in now 🙌

05/08/2026

"Is now a good time to invest in property?"

Our answer?

The best time to invest isn't determined by the market. It's determined by your strategy.

There will always be reasons to wait...
📈 Interest rates are too high.
📉 House prices might fall.
🏛️ Government regulations are changing.
💷 Tax rules are tightening.
📰 The news says the market is uncertain.

The truth is, there has never been a "perfect" time to invest.

If you'd waited for everything to line up perfectly over the last 20 years, you'd probably still be waiting.

Successful investors don't ask...

"Is now a good time to invest?"

They ask...
✔️ Does this deal stack up?
✔️ Will it generate positive cash flow?
✔️ Is there strong tenant demand?
✔️ Does it fit my long-term goals?
✔️ Can I comfortably manage the risks?

We're not trying to predict what the market will do next month or even next year.
We're building a portfolio that we plan to own for decades.

That means buying quality properties in areas with strong demand, carrying out thorough due diligence and making sure every deal works from day one.

Markets move.

Interest rates change.

Governments introduce new legislation.

But if you've bought well and invested with a long-term mindset, those short-term changes become far less important.

The question isn't...

"Is now a good time to invest?"

The better question is...

"Am I ready to invest?"

Because when the right opportunity comes along, being prepared is far more valuable than trying to perfectly time the market

03/08/2026

31/07/2026

One of the biggest mistakes you could make as a HMO investor... 👇

Some people think profit is simply:
Rent received - Mortgage payment = Profit.

If only it were that simple.

To make sure our HMO business is running as profitably and efficiently as possible, we review a monthly Profit & Loss statement for every property.

Because what gets measured gets managed.

If you're relying on checking your bank balance at the end of the month to see how your portfolio is performing, it's probably time to take a closer look at your numbers.
Here are some of the costs that are often overlooked when people calculate HMO returns:

💼 Management costs
It's not just the monthly management percentage. There are tenant find fees, move-in fees and other charges every time a room changes hands. HMOs naturally have more tenant turnover than single lets, so these costs can quickly add up.

🔧 Maintenance
A leaking tap, a broken shelf, replacing a lock, fixing an appliance... individually they're small, but over a year they make a significant difference.

⚡ Gas & Electricity
With bills included, it's easy for tenants to leave the heating on or lights running all day. We monitor usage every month, review tariffs regularly and speak with tenants if consumption is unusually high.

💧 Water
🏛️ Council Tax
🛡️ Insurance
📺 TV Licence
🧹 Communal Cleaning
🌐 Broadband

And that's before you even consider compliance costs, licensing, certificates, furniture replacements and unexpected repairs.

Successful HMO investing isn't just about buying the right property.

It's about running your portfolio like a business.

Know your numbers.
Review them every month.
Look for trends.
Cut unnecessary costs.
Improve where you can.

Because a property making £1200 a month on paper might be making far less in reality!

29/07/2026

Our reasons WHY??
..It's about time.

Time to be present.

Time to never have to choose between work and our children.

Time to build a life where we're in control of our diary, not someone else.

We're building a property portfolio that generates passive income because we want the freedom to be fully present when we're together as a family.

Long term, our dream is to have a place abroad where every half term and school holiday becomes quality family time. No rushing. No checking how many annual leave days we have left. Just uninterrupted memories together.

Does that mean we won't work?

Absolutely not.

In fact, we'll probably work more hours than most people.

The difference is we'll do it on our terms.

Our children will see us building businesses, solving problems, meeting people and creating opportunities. They'll be part of the journey, learning lessons that can't be taught in a classroom.

They'll grow up seeing what's possible when you have a vision, work hard and stay consistent.

For us, financial freedom isn't about doing nothing.
It's about having the freedom to never miss the moments that matter most.

That's our "why."

What's yours? ❤️

27/07/2026

🏡 Article 4 HMOs - Why We're Doubling Down on Them

If you're looking at HMOs, you've probably heard the term Article 4. Some investors avoid them. We're taking the opposite approach.

Here's why. 👇
The Pros of Article 4 HMOs ✅
✔️ Higher barrier to entry means less competition.
✔️ Planning restrictions help prevent oversupply in key areas.
✔️ Existing, compliant HMOs often become more valuable over time.
✔️ Strong tenant demand can support consistent occupancy in the right locations.
✔️ Creates a more stable investment environment for long-term landlords.

The Cons ⚠️
❌ You can't simply convert a property into an HMO without planning permission.
❌ Fewer suitable properties available.
❌ Planning can take time and requires careful due diligence.
❌ Getting it wrong can be expensive.

So why are we focused on Article 4 properties?

Our strategy is about protecting our portfolio, not chasing the quickest deal.

By investing in compliant Article 4 HMOs, we're building a portfolio with:
🏠 Reduced risk of market oversupply.
📈 Strong long-term capital growth potential.
💼 Sustainable rental demand.
🛡️ Assets that are increasingly difficult to replicate.

In property investing, sometimes the best opportunities come from markets where the barriers to entry are higher. Those barriers often help protect the value of existing assets.

As always, every area is different, and Article 4 isn't automatically good or bad, it simply changes the strategy. That's why thorough research, local knowledge, and buying the right property are essential 👌