If  I Had to Start Property Investing From Scratch Today – Here´s What I Would Do

If  I Had to Start Property Investing From Scratch Today – Here´s What I Would Do

Author: Kevin McDonnell February 24, 2026 Duration: 12:16
Become a part of the Progressive Property refer-a-friend scheme and Earn up to £250 when someone attends one of our events – you can enrol here: https://www.progressiveproperty.co.uk/raf/ For property businesses, 2026 is a noisy year – shiny regeneration schemes, hot new coins, “next big thing” strategies are everywhere, so deciding which direction to go in, is very difficult. Today, Mark cuts through that noise by answering the question he gets asked most: If he had to start again from scratch today, what would he actually do?   He breaks down why he’d still buy simple single lets, move quickly into higher‑end HMOs and blocks, avoid the fads, and use development, debt, and daily habits to build a safer, scalable, more profitable portfolio that survives all kinds of regulation, tax, and market cycles. If you want to take the next step and put what you have learned from this podcast into action, you only need to click here - https://www.wealthbuilders.co.uk/progressive-podcast KEY TAKEAWAYS Blend what you already know, what you’re good at and what you enjoy - but make sure every strategy and deal is ruthlessly profitable.   Ignore the shiny penny stuff. Buy unloved assets in real demand areas, force the value through refurb, conversions, and better operations, then hold them.   Leverage the efficiency of owning and running larger assets e.g. a block of flats, HMOs, or co-living spaces. Carry on learning, networking, and improving efficiency. Spread your income across different assets, areas, and deal types, so when tax, regulation, or the market changes negatively for one sector, the rest of your portfolio keeps you afloat.  Build your track record first with smaller wins you can document, then use that evidence to raise JV and private capital on better terms.   Take on sensible debt to build up good assets, let inflation erode that debt, but don´t borrow so much that a downturn can wipe you out.  Take full advantage of the impact of compounding interest. BEST MOMENTS  "Lots of people say, Oh, you just need to follow your passion and follow your dreams. Well, I don't think it's quite that simple."  "Ignore all of the shiny Penny regeneration programmes in property."  "Over the long run, it means that you can't fail, and you'll get richer and richer."  "Too many people think that wealth building is all about finding that one thing that will make you rich. The reality is that it is about developing yourself and developing 1000 daily habits."   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 Invest 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
Introducing... Sean Fitzpatrick! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:19
https://www.progressiveproperty.co.uk/raf/ Sean Fitzpatrick shares his property journey from a council estate in Northern Ireland to financial freedom through property investment. Sean candidly discusses how he went from…
Is the Renters Rights Bill a Disaster? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:48
Sean and Kevin dissect the controversial new Renters Rights Bill. Kevin cuts through the fear and media hysteria, explaining why these changes won't be the disaster many landlords fear. With over 20 years of experience a…
Sean's Success Stories: Matt's No Money Down Success [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:03
Sean interviews Matt Hawes, a carpenter turned developer who shares his property journey. After years of running his company, Matt reveals how attending Progressive Property training transformed his approach to property…
Sean's Success Stories: Mastering Deal Packaging with Liam McCallum [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:52
This week, we speak to Liam McCallum, a former letting agent turned property investor. From humble beginnings in a call centre to becoming a shareholder in his letting agency and completing 39 property deals in just mont…
Sean's Success Stories - 37 Refurbs in 3 Years with Rochelle Gilburn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:06
In this inspiring episode of the Progressive Property Podcast, host Sean Fitzpatrick interviews Rochelle Gilburn, who transformed personal tragedy into triumph through property investing. After losing her husband in 2018…