#125 Have you heard people talking about commercial mortgages and wondered what they’re on about? Or maybe you have a basic grasp of what they are but don’t understand the finer details and would like to know how commercial mortgages work. You'd like to know more about getting a commercial valuation as opposed to getting your property valued on a bricks and mortar basis? Or perhaps you’re looking for tips and tricks to avoid those frequently dreaded and often misunderstood down valuations. Well, if any of that sounds like you, this two-part special is most definitely for you as today’s guest is Martin Smedley of Prospero Finance which is part of the Fairstone Financial Management Group Martin has been arranging finance for over 35 years so what he doesn’t know about investment finance simply isn’t worth knowing. This week, we cover the difference between the two broad types of valuations: commercial and bricks and mortar and the factors that affect whether your lender will give you a commercial valuation. We also touch on how Martin and his team maximise their clients’ chances of securing a genuine commercial valuation. In Part Two, #126 we’ll be looking at ways to influence that valuer to give us as high a valuation as expected. Leave an honest review of Expat Property StoryJoin our Mailing List to join our WhatsApp  group AND access our 37 Question Due Diligence Checklist AND our 23 Step Guide to Buying Property at Auction AND our Monthly NewsletterFollow the Show on InstagramTell us the one thing you’re struggling with in UK property We typically work with time poor professionals get a good return on their money by investing with us. To schedule a call to discuss As a reminder, here are the details of where to meet other Expat Property Investors (For FREE!!!):Hong Kong: The Urban Bakery in the Landmark Building in Central on the first Saturday of each month (Saturday S6th October, 2023) from 11:30 amDubai: Holiday Inn, Science Park on the first Wednesday of each month (Wednesday 4th October, 2023) from 7pmSingapore: The Providore at VivoCity on the first Saturday of each month (Saturday 6th October, 2023) from 10:30 am Keywords: Martin Smedley, contractors, property expectations, hotel comparison, clean property, train station access, parking, Expat Property Guy, reverse engineering, mortgage choice, lender, valuer, property valuation, comprehensive summary, interview, property influence, Berlin, Exotic Listener location, WhatsApp group, expat UK property investors, 6-month rule, vanilla lending market, bridging loan, refinancing, Land Registry, refurb costs, borrowing time, interest rates, valuers, commercial mortgages, HMOs, East Midlands. 

#108 To be a successful UK Property Investor you need to be buying in areas with good employment prospects, expected population growth and solid infrastructure.Preston ticks all those boxes. Local employers include British Aerospace, Amazon and Lancashire County Council  not to mentionthe development of the Cyber Warfare Centre bringing 5,000 new jobs to the area, Preston is booming.But deciding on an area is only half the battle when investing remotely. You have to find a good letting agent to manage your investment.Matt Eastham runs Easthams & Co Residential Lettings. Matt is a passionate investor who believes in the power of sharing knowledge. Rather than charging sourcing fees or trying to make a profit, Matt is committed to helping others by freely sharing his expertise.He knows that if he provides good local knowledge for overseas investors, they will want him to manage the property on their behalf.Matt represents a good case for reverse engineering the property investment process by starting with a letting agent.During the episode, we discuss:Dodgy new build off-plan developmentWhy Preston is booming!Serviced Accommodation opportunities in PrestonThe types of property in high demandWhat questions to ask your lettings agentThe importance of a thorough tenant referencing processTo Join our Mailing List to access our 37 Question Due Diligence Checklist; our 23 Step Guide to Buying Property at Auction and our Monthly NewsletterEasthams & Co Residential LettingsEpisode #7: Like Clockwork featuring Helen Godbold-EadeTo Follow the Show on InstagramTo leave an honest review of Expat Property StoryTo tell us the one thing you’re struggling with in UK propertyKeywords:trustworthy independent local agent, property investing, due diligence, financial loss, house purchase, bad tenants, capital appreciation, single lets, serviced accommodation, yield, capital growth, target market, precedents, regeneration, inward migration, terraced properties, location, maintenance, slush fund, housing demand, cyber warfare center, contractors, lettings agents, tenant referencing, property prices, rebalancing, National Cyber Force, mailing list, freebies, Matt Eastham.