Hi everyone, and welcome back to The Property GP Diaries! We’re Michael and Laura Taylor, a husband-and-wife duo who made the leap from the public sector to property investors. These days, we manage a growing HMO portfolio in the south of England—and if you’re dreaming of building one, we can help with that too!

We’re taking a bit of a breather over the festive season, but we didn’t want to leave you without something to enjoy. So, we’ve pulled together some of our favourite moments and valuable insights from past episodes to keep you company until we’re back in January.

Today’s highlight is all about Planning and Licensing and Life by Design—a topic that often leaves even experienced landlords scratching their heads. We’ll clear up some common misunderstandings and share practical advice to help you navigate these tricky waters.

-----------------------------------------

Life by Design

This episode’s theme, Life by Design, is close to our hearts. For us, it’s about intentionally creating a life we love—one that balances family, work, and adventure.

In 2019, we started questioning the treadmill of our daily routines and dared to ask: What do we really want out of life? That shift led us to prioritizing family time, like epic summer trips to Italy and Spain. These experiences remind us of the importance of living with intention and making memories that truly matter.

Your version of Life by Design might look completely different—and that’s the beauty of it! Whether it’s traveling, pursuing a passion, or simply enjoying the freedom to shape your days, the key is to actively choose the life you want.

Thank you so much for being part of our journey. We’ll be back in January with fresh episodes to inspire and inform your property investment adventures. Until then, enjoy the holidays, and here’s to designing a life you love!

💡 Subscribe to the podcast for more tips and stories from the world of property investment!
Stay Connected:
Instagram: ⁠Dr. Michael Taylor⁠
Facebook: ⁠Dr. Michael Taylor⁠ | ⁠Laura V. Taylor⁠
LinkedIn: ⁠Dr. Michael Taylor⁠ | ⁠Laura V. Taylor⁠

This week, we’re taking a festive break but bringing you highlights from past episodes.

Tune in as we reflect on work-life balance, the art of prioritization, and how we manage the chaos of family life, church commitments, and a busy property business—all while keeping our values at the forefront.

We also discuss the importance of setting non-negotiables (our “big stones”) like family walks, Friday movie nights, and holidays to stay grounded. Alongside, we share insights into the power of networking and the exciting milestones in our property journey.

Join us for practical tips, inspiring stories, and a behind-the-scenes look at how we make it all work.

Don’t forget to follow us on social media and leave a review. We’ll be back in January with fresh episodes—see you then!

💡 Subscribe to the podcast for more tips and stories from the world of property investment!

Stay Connected:

Instagram: ⁠Dr. Michael Taylor⁠

Facebook: ⁠Dr. Michael Taylor⁠ | ⁠Laura V. Taylor⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠Dr. Michael Taylor⁠ | ⁠Laura V. Taylor⁠

In this episode, Michael and Laura get personal about the books that have influenced their lives and property journey the most. They share stories about how each book impacted their mindset around money and investing, as well as insights from their recent experiences in the world of property.

Highlights

1. **""Rich Dad, Poor Dad"" by Robert Kiyosaki**

- This classic made a huge difference for Michael and Laura, helping them look at money and assets in a totally new way.

- Instead of following the usual ""work hard, save, buy a house"" advice, they explain how Kiyosaki inspired them to focus on building cash-flowing assets.

- They break down the difference between a “poor” mindset of trading time for money versus a “rich” mindset of making money work for you.

2. **""The Art of Exceptional Living"" by Jim Rohn**

- This book left a deep impression on the hosts, showing them how personal growth and mindset play a huge role in success.

- From setting goals to embracing continuous learning, Michael and Laura share how Jim Rohn’s lessons on self-discipline and growth have kept them motivated and on track.

3. **Life Lately: Recent Projects & Events**

- They talk about the excitement of hosting a property networking event and how it’s helped them connect with like-minded people.

- Michael and Laura also share the thrill and challenge of taking on a new renovation project and the process of bringing a new investor on board.

4. **Real Talk on Renovation Challenges**

- They dive into some of the tricky decisions they’ve faced with kitchen suppliers—balancing the need for quality with the pressure to stay on budget.

- The conversation is an honest look at the compromises that come with property management and renovation.

**Why Tune In?**

Michael and Laura’s down-to-earth advice and experiences make this episode both relatable and inspiring. You’ll hear practical tips on money and investing, plus real stories about the wins and hurdles that come with building a property business.

**Join Us for More**

Don't miss future episodes where Michael and Laura continue to share the ups, downs, and lessons of their property investment journey. Follow us to stay connected, hear about upcoming events, and be part of our community.

---

This episode is packed with insights, honesty, and encouragement for anyone looking to make smarter money moves or dive deeper into real estate.

In this episode, Michael and Nora dive into the importance of being held accountable for your goals and actions as a property investor. They share how being part of a monthly "Accountability Club" has helped drive their business forward, providing motivation and identifying blind spots.

The episode also covers their recent purchase of a 9-bed nursing home, including the last-minute challenges they faced from the seller. Michael and Nora emphasize the value of thorough tenant screening to maintain control over their HMO properties.

Key takeaways include:

• How accountability partners/groups can turbocharge your property business

• The benefits of staying focused on high-impact "game-changing" tasks

• Why tenant selection is crucial for managing your rental portfolio

Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting out, this episode highlights the power of accountability and its role in achieving your property goals.

Connect with Michael and Laura on social media

Email them at hello@palbleproperty.com

Learn more about the ""Property GP"" service offerings

This episode provides a comprehensive overview of Michael and Laura's current activities and their plans to support other property investors through the Property GP service. Listeners can reach out to explore potential collaborations and learn more about the services mentioned.

In this episode, host Michael Taylor shares the challenges and successes he and his wife Laura have experienced in growing their HMO portfolio.

Listeners will gain insights into the practical aspects of property management, including navigating tenant applications, coordinating refurbishment projects, and dealing with financing hurdles.

Michael also delves into the rent-to-rent strategy, explaining how it can be a viable option for those looking to enter the property market with limited upfront capital.

Throughout the episode, Michael emphasizes the importance of building a strong professional network, leveraging the expertise of brokers, architects, and builders to support investment decisions and project execution.

Whether you're a seasoned property investor or just starting your journey, this episode of The Property GP Diaries offers a candid and informative look at the realities of building a successful property portfolio.

Tune in to learn from Michael's experiences and gain practical tips to apply to your own property investing endeavors.

In this episode, Michael and Laura discuss the current state of their property portfolio and the new offerings they've developed through their "Property GP" service. They cover topics such as building their pipeline of projects, monetizing their expertise, the importance of networking, and their plans for the future.

Key Takeaways:

• Maintaining a pipeline of property deals at different stages is crucial for momentum and cash flow.

• Monetizing their property expertise through one-on-one support, project management, and a hands-off HMO portfolio service.

• The value of regular networking and business development sessions for growth and collaboration.

• Setting ambitious goals, even if they're not fully achieved, can drive progress.

• Opportunities for joint ventures and working with others in the property investment space.

Links Mentioned:

• Connect with Michael and Laura on social media

• Email them at hello@palbleproperty.com

• Learn more about the "Property GP" service offerings

This episode provides a comprehensive overview of Michael and Laura's current activities and their plans to support other property investors through the Property GP service. Listeners can reach out to explore potential collaborations and learn more about the services mentioned.

In this episode of Property GP Diaries, hosts Michael and Laura dive into the crucial topic of finding great tenants for your rental properties. Drawing from their own experiences, they share practical strategies and valuable insights to help listeners navigate the tenant selection process.

From the importance of professional property photos and video walkthroughs to effectively utilizing platforms like SpareRoom and OpenRent, Michael and Laura provide a comprehensive guide. They also emphasize the significance of trusting your instincts, avoiding ""orange flags,"" and carefully considering tenant compatibility to create a harmonious living environment.

Beyond tenant selection, the hosts discuss their recent business retreat, the challenges of property conveyancing, and their plans to partner with a social housing charity. This episode offers a well-rounded perspective on the realities of being a hands-on property investor, equipping listeners with the knowledge to build a successful and sustainable rental portfolio.

Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting your property journey, this episode of Property GP Diaries is a must-listen for anyone looking to find and retain high-quality tenants.

Follow us!
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/drmichaeltaylor/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/drmichaeltaylor.thepropertygp/
https://www.facebook.com/laura.v.taylor.9
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-michael-taylor/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-v-taylor/

In this episode, Michael and Laura delve into several key aspects of property investing. They discuss how to handle tenant vacancies effectively, including the use of video walkthroughs to make property viewings more convenient and attract tenants remotely. They also share their experience with the paperwork and coordination involved in bridging loan drawdowns, which can be time-consuming but necessary.

Additionally, they talk about how they balance their property business with other responsibilities, stressing the importance of accountability through peer groups or regular check-ins to stay on track. The benefits of joint ventures in property investing are highlighted, noting that while they allow for portfolio growth without using personal capital, they require careful planning, trust, and, most importantly, clear legal agreements to avoid complications.

The episode closes with practical advice on entering joint ventures, particularly the need for formal contracts, even when working with friends or family, to ensure smooth collaboration.