In this episode we explore one of the most fundamental questions every aspiring commercial property investor needs to ask themselves: "Why do you want to buy a commercial property?"

We emphasize the importance of understanding your personal reasons for getting into the commercial property market. From cash flow and time freedom to building long-term wealth, this episode covers the variety of motivations that drive individuals to make the leap. You’ll also hear about some of the realities and challenges, including raising finance, managing vacancies, and the commitment it takes to succeed in the long run.

Throughout the episode, we touch on key investment strategies such as simple buy-to-let, value-adding projects, and building a sustainable income stream through strategic planning. We also share how The CPI Network and programs like Get in the Swim can help you navigate the commercial property world, offering tools, education, and networking opportunities for investors at all stages.

Key Takeaways:

• Know Your Why: It's essential to have a clear understanding of your motivations for buying commercial property. Whether it's cash flow, capital growth, or long-term wealth building, defining your "why" will guide your strategy and decisions.

• Potential Benefits: Consistent reoccurring income, time freedom, retirement planning (e.g., SSAS Pension), capital growth, and inflation protection are just a few reasons why commercial property can be a lucrative investment.

• Challenges: Commercial property investment comes with its own set of hurdles, including property management, financing, and strategic decision-making. It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme, but a long-term commitment to building wealth.

• Choosing the Right Strategy: Whether you’re after steady cash flow, value-add opportunities, or a mix of both, the strategy you choose should align with your personal and financial goals.

• The Importance of Community: Being part of a network like The CPI Network gives you access to industry insights, support, and experience that can make your journey much smoother and help you avoid costly mistakes.

Mentions:

• The CPI Network: A community of commercial property investors for education, networking, and guidance.
• Get in the Swim Program: A monthly membership/retainer program offering education, deal analysis, and networking opportunities for those entering the commercial property space.

Resources Mentioned:

• Follow us on Instagram for visuals and updates! @jerryalexander.commercial
• Check out the Get in the Swim program.

Call to Action: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave us a review on iTunes or Spotify, and don’t forget to subscribe for more expert insights into the world of commercial property investing!

JOIN THE NETWORK If you want to learn more about investing in Commercial Property, why not consider joining the CPI Network? We're a community of active investors who collaborate, share experiences, and empower each other in our Commercial Property endeavours.

Useful Links:

CPI Website - https://commercialpropertyinvestor.co.uk/

Our Sponsors - https://commercialpropertyinvestor.co.uk/podcast-sponsors/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re going deep with Andy Graham as he shares his journey from HMOs to commercial-to-residential developments! 🏗️

We unpack:

• Andy's journey from physio to property developer 👨‍⚕️➡️🏠
• His approach converting commercial properties into residential developments
• The power of partnerships in scaling up 🤝
• Real-life projects from Sheffield to Kent

Some numbers that might surprise you:

• Andy's first development: Under 3,000 sq ft was extended into 6 units
• Current pipeline: 100+ flats in development
• Target capital uplift: Minimum 25% on projects
• Timeline reality check: 2-3 years vs quick HMO flips ⏱️

Key lessons for HMO investors eyeing commercial:

1. Planning is a whole new game (and often a "black hole" of costs 💸)
2. Other income streams can buy you breathing space - development isn't about quick cash
3. It's a volume game - individual units might yield less than HMOs
4. Main contractors are essential - small additional costs per square foot can make or break deals

Success strategies we uncovered:

• Building relationships with commercial agents
• Understanding local development context deeply
• Having contingency plans (sometimes you need to sell some to keep some)
• Working with partners who complement your skills

🎬 Fun fact: Some of Andy's developments have even been featured on Channel 4.

Some key reflections:

1. The planning system might be "fundamentally broken" - but knowing how to navigate it is crucial
2. Commercial to resi development is about long-term capital growth, not immediate income
3. Understanding your local market deeply lets you move fast when opportunities arise
4. The right partnerships can transform your ability to take on bigger projects

Whether you’re considering a shift to commercial or just curious about different strategies that are out there, this episode is filled with valuable insights. Andy’s journey from HMOs to large-scale developments demonstrates that every developer begins somewhere - often with a single property and a desire to learn!

JOIN THE NETWORK If you want to learn more about investing in Commercial Property, why not consider joining the CPI Network? We're a community of active investors who collaborate, share experiences, and empower each other in our Commercial Property endeavours.

Useful Links:

The HMO Roadmap: https://thehmoroadmap.co.uk/

CPI Website - https://commercialpropertyinvestor.co.uk/

Our Sponsors - https://commercialpropertyinvestor.co.uk/podcast-sponsors/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we're sharing a bittersweet story from our portfolio. When a long-standing tenant - a business we'd known and worked with for years - unfortunately went into liquidation, we found ourselves with a property back in our hands 5 years earlier than planned.

We talk through:

• The ripple effects when a tenant goes bust
• Navigating the unexpected (and the mountain of stuff left behind 😅)
• How market understanding helped us move forward

The numbers that might surprise you:

• Original rent: £33,000 per year
• New market rent: £58,000 per year
• What this meant for the property's value... 🤔

Some key reflections:

1. The importance of adaptability in commercial property
2. Why local market knowledge matters more than ever
3. Sometimes the best plans are the ones you didn't make

Looking back, this experience reinforced that commercial property isn't just about the numbers 🔢. It's about being prepared for the unexpected, understanding your market deeply, and sometimes, making the best of situations you didn't anticipate. While the outcome was positive for us, it's a reminder that in this business, change is the only constant. Whether that change brings challenges or opportunities often depends on your preparation and perspective.

It's been a busy September with training events in Scotland and lots of great conversations at property meetups. A heartfelt thanks to all the podcast listeners who came to say hello - you make this journey so much more enjoyable! 🤝

Thanks again and as always, make sure you stay in the commercial property swim! 🏊‍♂️

JOIN THE NETWORK If you want to learn more about investing in Commercial Property, why not consider joining the CPI Network? We're a community of active investors who collaborate, share experiences, and empower each other in our Commercial Property endeavours.

Useful Links:

CPI Website - https://commercialpropertyinvestor.co.uk/

Our Sponsors - https://commercialpropertyinvestor.co.uk/podcast-sponsors/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wondered how to grow your property empire when your pockets aren't endlessly deep? You're not alone! This week, we're diving into the nitty-gritty of scaling a commercial property business, with a special focus on the financial strategies that make it possible.

Here's what we're unpacking in this episode:

• Our journey from residential to commercial properties 🏠➡️🏢
• Leveraging growth through value-adding renovations
• Working with private lenders 🤝💰
• Navigating the changing landscape of bank expectations and LTVs

Key Takeaways that helped us (and might help you too):

1. Getting Creative with Starter Money 💡
2. The Art of Patience ⏳
3. Building Relationships with Financial Partners
4. Finding the Right Mentor for You as an Investor🔎
5. Shifting Focus to Building Income 💸

Remember, scaling in commercial property likely won’t be a smooth ride. There may be bumps along the way and unexpected detours, but the view at the end is always worth it!

Have you been through a similar journey, or was your experience completely different? Either way we’d love to hear from you - the wins, the challenges 🤦 and anything in between!

And as always, just keep swimming 🏊‍♂️ (even if it feels like you're swimming upstream).

JOIN THE NETWORK If you want to learn more about investing in Commercial Property, why not consider joining the CPI Network? We're a community of active investors who collaborate, share experiences, and empower each other in our Commercial Property endeavours.

Useful Links:

CPI Website - https://commercialpropertyinvestor.co.uk/

Our Sponsors - https://commercialpropertyinvestor.co.uk/podcast-sponsors/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, I sit down with Jose McClure from Unit Management, a family-run 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 flex space provider with nearly 60 years of history.

Founded by Jose's father, the company has steadily expanded over the years and now operates 22 buildings across 20 locations.

After 20 years in residential property, Jose joined the family business four years ago. He now shares what it’s like to step into a company with deep roots and navigate the fast-changing world of flex space.

In this episode, Jose dives into:

• The challenge of proving yourself in a family business
• How Unit Management unintentionally became flex space pioneers
• Why some buildings buzz with life and others just don’t ⚡🤷

He also sheds light on the not-so-glamorous side:

• The constant headache of business rates 💸
• The complexity of pricing flexible space
• The "organised chaos" that is commercial property management 🤯

Whether you're curious about the flex space industry or the shift from residential to commercial property, Jose’s story gives a candid peek behind the curtain.

Tune in for a lively chat about family, business, property, and the unpredictable world of flexible workspace! 🎧✨

JOIN THE NETWORK If you want to learn more about investing in Commercial Property (and avoid some of these heating headaches), why not consider joining the CPI Network? We're a community of active investors who collaborate, share experiences, and empower each other in our Commercial Property endeavours.

Useful Links:

Jose's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-manuel-mcclure-uml/

Unit Management Website: https://www.unitmanagement.co.uk/

CPI Website - https://commercialpropertyinvestor.co.uk/

Our Sponsors - https://commercialpropertyinvestor.co.uk/podcast-sponsors/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on a nail-biting two-year journey that tested my resolve, creativity, and sanity...

Yep, it's the one you've been waiting for; our refinance.

We dive into:

• Our journey refinancing millions of £££s in loans 💸
• My financial wish list vs. reality check ✅
• The CFADS conundrum and why it sent us searching for new lenders 🔍

But it's not all number-crunching! We also share:

• Surviving the emotional rollercoaster of endless loan extensions 🎢
• Maintaining (or not maintaining) sanity under pressure 🧠
• The hidden toll on family life and creativity 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
• Nuggets of wisdom for fellow property investors navigating choppy financial waters.

This journey was by far one of the most challenging experiences of my business career to date. But we got what we wanted in the end, learned invaluable lessons along the way and now we're passing that knowledge on to you.

We hope this story resonates with you, whether you're facing similar challenges or just curious about the realities of property investment. If any part of this episode strikes a chord, we'd love to hear from you.

After all, we're all in this to grow, learn, and succeed. 🚀💪

JOIN THE NETWORK If you want to learn more about investing in Commercial Property, why not consider joining the CPI Network? We're a community of active investors who collaborate, share experiences, and empower each other in our Commercial Property endeavours.

Useful Links:

CPI Website - https://commercialpropertyinvestor.co.uk/

Our Sponsors - https://commercialpropertyinvestor.co.uk/podcast-sponsors/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Megan and I dive into a candid conversation about the key lessons we've learned over the past 18 months while managing our commercial property portfolio. And trust me, there’s been a lot to navigate.

Here’s what we discuss:

• Developing a healthy scepticism towards promises made by professionals (contractors, lawyers, accountants) and the importance of thorough due diligence 🥸🔍
• The benefits of focus - knowing when to put projects "on ice" to concentrate on top priorities, rather than trying to juggle too much
• Recognising when to bring in outside help, even if it feels challenging, in order to overcome personal roadblocks more efficiently.
• Understanding the nuances of balancing a desire for premium service/experience with financial realities and maintaining healthy margins.

As they say, every day is a school day… and that couldn’t be more true here 😅.

We hope you enjoy this honest conversation! Our goal with these episodes is to share the real-world challenges and insights we encounter day to day, believing that our transparency can help others on their own paths. So if there’s a topic you’d like us to explore - whether it’s property, business strategy, or personal growth - let us know. We'd love to hear from you.

JOIN THE NETWORK If you want to learn more about investing in Commercial Property, why not consider joining the CPI Network? We're a community of active investors who collaborate, share experiences, and empower each other in our Commercial Property endeavours.

Useful Links:

CPI Website - https://commercialpropertyinvestor.co.uk/

Our Sponsors - https://commercialpropertyinvestor.co.uk/podcast-sponsors/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I'm tackling a question I get asked all the time:

Who actually rents commercial space these days? 🤔💭

Turns out, it's not just start ups and freelancers 🤷 I'll walk you through the surprising variety of tenants we've had over the years - from international brands to some truly unexpected local businesses...

We'll cover:

• Traditional office users (with some twists)
• Unconventional tenants you might not expect
• The growing health and wellbeing sector 💇💆‍♀️
• How employees are becoming space consumers themselves

I'll also share my thoughts on why targeting specific sectors might not always be the best strategy, and what actually brings these diverse tenants together.

Ready to find out who might be knocking on your property's door next? Tune in and find out some useful insights about the ever changing landscape of commercial property tenants 🎧😊

JOIN THE NETWORK If you want to learn more about investing in Commercial Property, why not consider joining the CPI Network? We're a community of active investors who collaborate, share experiences, and empower each other in our Commercial Property endeavours.

Useful Links:

CPI Website - https://commercialpropertyinvestor.co.uk/

Our Sponsors - https://commercialpropertyinvestor.co.uk/podcast-sponsors/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.