From Tradesperson to £Million Property Deals with Matt Hawes

From Tradesperson to £Million Property Deals with Matt Hawes

Author: Kevin McDonnell September 2, 2025 Duration: 19:56
https://www.progressiveproperty.co.uk/raf/ From carpenter to property developer. Matt Hawes shares how he transformed his mindset and life through Progressive Property’s education and community. After years of building for others and being held back from becoming a developer by a lack of finances, Matt solved the problem. Progressive taught him creative strategies, such as vendor financing, assisted sales, and the buy-refurbish-refinance method. He reveals how these no-money-down and money recycling financing techniques—and the support of the Progressive network—helped him raise £500,000 from an investor, complete major developments, and continue to unlock new opportunities. KEY TAKEAWAYS For years, Matt worked on the tools before securing a construction project management degree and managing massive projects. Yet, he still could not make property development work for him. What he learned with Progressive and the connections he made via them is what ultimately enabled him to succeed. Matt talks about 10 of the financing and property development methods Progressive taught him. He shares which ones are currently working best for him and exactly how he uses them. Mentorship, networking, and being open to new property development strategies are key for success. All of which Matt gets with Progressive. BEST MOMENTS "I've taken a £500,000 building and made it worth the best part of a million." "Vendor finance - it's a crazy concept where the person selling your house could actually lend you some of the money to buy the house." “The finance was holding me back. After coming to Progressive and learning a bit about raising finance, I managed to raise half a million pounds on one of the first phone calls.” "I really liked it when I found Progressive, it just felt a lot more like a family. More like a cohesive network." “If you're someone who doesn't have the funds, you can come to a place like Progressive, learn how to meet and speak to investors, network with people and joint venture with them.” VALUABLE RESOURCES MSOPI – Multiple Streams of Income: https://www.progressiveproperty.co.uk https://kevinmcdonnell.co.uk ABOUT THE HOST Sean Fitzpatrick is a property investor, educator, and the Face of Progressive Property. With a 6-figure portfolio and expertise in creative strategies, finance, and off-market deals, Sean shares success stories from the Progressive Property community, expert insights, and real-world strategies to help investors succeed. Tune in for practical tips and no-nonsense advice to accelerate your property journey. ABOUT THE HOST Kevin McDonnell is a Speaker, Author, Mentor & Professional Property Investor. He is an expert when it comes to creative property investment strategies. His book No Money Down: Property Investing talks about how to control and cash flow other people’s property to create financial freedom. CONTACT METHOD https://www.facebook.com/kevinMcDonnellProperty/ https://kevinmcdonnell.co.uk/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@progressiveproperty YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0g1KuusONVStjY_XjdXy6g Twitter: https://twitter.com/progperty LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/progressiveproperty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressiveproperty/ Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/progressivepropertycommunity Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Progperty This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Hosted by investor and educator Kevin McDonnell, The Progressive Property Podcast is a regular source of actionable strategies for navigating the UK property market. This isn't about generic theory; it’s a practical resource dissecting the methods that work for building a portfolio, from foundational principles to advanced scaling techniques. You’ll hear detailed discussions on buy-to-let, flipping properties, and creative strategies like deal packaging, all aimed at constructing multiple streams of property income. The focus is on leveraging knowledge-and often other people's capital-to build assets, emphasising how to move forward effectively even if your own starting capital is limited. Each episode is designed to condense years of experience, helping you avoid common pitfalls and make informed, strategic decisions that save both time and money. For anyone serious about property investment, from taking the first step to systematising a large-scale operation, this podcast serves as a direct line to the nuanced knowledge required for long-term financial freedom. Tune in for candid conversations that cut through the noise, offering the specific skills and confidence needed to progress in the complex world of real estate investment.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 100

The Progressive Property Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Replacing my 45k Teaching Job with ONE Deal | Sean Fitzpatrick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:47
Sean Fitzpatrick joins Kev to talk about what he has been doing on his property investment journey. He shares why one deal was enough for him to quit his job, and the value of the Progressive community and talks about wh…
The 3 Biggest Mistakes I have Made in Property [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:52
Kevin shares the 3 biggest mistakes he has made on his property journey, so you don’t have to make the same mistakes he did! Kevin talks about why he made these mistakes, what you can do to avoid them and talks about wha…
The Mid-Year Kickstart – 7 Steps to Start Your Property Journey NOW [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:31
At the halfway point of 2024, Kev gives a mid-year kickstart and talks about 7 steps you can take to start your property journey now. If you haven’t started your journey this year, or you’re feeling behind, this will hel…
Building a Brighter Future with Tricia Crocker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:06
Join Kevin as he interviews Tricia Crocker, a property investor who's made remarkable progress in just 18 months. Discover how Tricia went from juggling multiple jobs to successfully managing rent-to-rent properties and…
7 Estate & Letting Agent Hacks You NEED To Know [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:33
‘Overall estate agents are good at helping you to get the best deal, but they are also great at ensuring the best deal for themselves’ In this fascinating episode, Kevin shares 7 tricks that are vital for anyone who is a…
No Money? No Problem! Kicking Off Your Property Empire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:35
Kevin shares his expertise on starting a property empire with no money down. He challenges conventional wisdom, debunks common excuses, and reveals how anyone can kickstart their property journey, regardless of their fin…
The Rollercoaster Journey of Life and Property with Jamie Brookes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:49
Jamie joins Kevin on the podcast to talk about what prompted him to change his life and start investing in property. He shares the knowledge that has helped him build and grow his portfolio and also reveals why buy-to-le…
Election Special - Can they secure Investors Votes on July 4th? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:50
Kevin shares his candid views on the upcoming UK election. For the first time ever, Kevin reveals he will be voting Conservative, explaining his reasoning and urging listeners to carefully consider their vote. With a pot…