The Progressive Property Podcast

• How Rent-2-Rent & Deal Packaging Saved Me with Kevin McDonell

  https://www.progressiveproperty.co.uk/raf/ Sean interviews previous host Kevin McDonnell. Kevin shares his journey from a farm in rural Ireland to becoming a multi-millionaire property investor. He reveals his painful mistakes buying off-plan properties abroad that left him £100,000+ in debt and how he transformed his life through property strategies like rent-2-rent. If you haven’t heard Kev’s story already, this episode will leave you inspired and informed. If you’d like to learn more from Kevin, he has written multiple books on property investing, including No Money Down Property Investing and Multiple Streams of Property Income. KEY TAKEAWAYS Kevin began with zero property knowledge, making mistakes by investing in off-plan properties in Europe that put him over £100,000 in debt, this is why proper education before investing is crucial. After hitting rock bottom at age 35, living in a shared house and in debt, Kevin discovered rent-2-rent and deal packaging strategies that allowed him to become debt-free without needing significant capital. By moving into his first rent-to-rent property and subletting the other rooms, Kevin eliminated his own housing costs while simultaneously generating income to service his debt. Kevin emphasises that mindset and environment are critical success factors; surrounding yourself with positive, like-minded people creates opportunities that reading books alone cannot provide. From his initial failures, Kevin built an 18+ million pound portfolio with over 100 properties, 18 businesses, and several bestselling books, demonstrating the power of consistent action. Kevin's success formula is to believe in yourself and take the first step, surround yourself with like-minded people who share your vision and take massive action without fear of rejection. BEST MOMENTS "I realised that property was the thing that put me in debt. But actually, the only thing that could get me outta debt was property." "Most people don't wanna change. They're full-time in a job, and they're building their boss's dream. But if you put as much effort into yourself as you do into building your boss's dream, you'd become successful." "If you've read my book three times and it's not made you a millionaire, reading it a fourth time's not gonna make any difference. But maybe working with the guy who wrote it would." "I'm not trying to buy a hundred houses. I never did. I just wanted to buy one. I now own over a hundred, but I only ever started to buy one." 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/progressive, property, investing, rent, housing, buy to lets, serviced accomodation, block, auction, home, financial freedom, recurring income, tax, mortgage, assets: http://progressiveproperty.co.uk/

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  42:21
• Is Reform UK the Answer to Britain's Housing Crisis?

  https://www.progressiveproperty.co.uk/raf/ Sean and Kevin discuss Reform UK party's housing policies as the UK approaches local elections. They challenge you to question your political allegiances and examine how Reform's proposed housing policies could impact the property market. Kevin talks about brownfield development, landlord incentives and the controversial Section 24 tax, while encouraging listeners to think independently rather than following family or media-influenced voting patterns. KEY TAKEAWAYS Reform UK proposes accelerating housing projects on brownfield sites, particularly in coastal regions, with a loose fit planning policy to simplify large residential developments Giving landlords grants or interest-free loans to renovate empty properties could quickly address housing shortages, bringing hundreds of thousands of empty properties back into use more efficiently than new construction. Reform UK proposes prioritising local residents and those contributing to the system for social housing. Reform's proposed repeal of Section 24 tax (which removed mortgage interest relief for landlords) could potentially reduce rental costs by bringing more landlords back to the market, increasing available housing stock. Current landlord regulations are paradoxically driving up rents and forcing stricter tenant criteria, as landlords need more protection and higher margins to compensate for increased risks and costs. BEST MOMENTS "I don't vote for anybody, so don't say, 'oh, here's a thing for Reform.' I'm not a fan of anybody. I'm just somebody who believes that the country's needs change. It needs reform." "The reason that rents are high is because there's a shortage of properties. The reason there's a shortage of properties is because landlords are leaving the market... Not everybody wants to buy. People at university don't want to buy. They want to rent." "Question how you look at things. Don't be triggered. Be more focused. Don't be triggered. Be more analytical. Don't be triggered. Be more open-minded." "We have lunatics running the asylum. They've never run a business... How can they run the biggest business that there's ever been? The country... We've got people in there that I wouldn't hire in my business, and it's a small business." 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/Progpertyprogressive, property, investing, rent, housing, buy to lets, serviced accomodation, block, auction, home, financial freedom, recurring income, tax, mortgage, assets: http://progressiveproperty.co.uk/

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  25:22
• Real Estate, AI and How it Affects the Property Investor

  https://www.progressiveproperty.co.uk/raf/ Kevin switches roles as he's interviewed by Miha "MJ" Jain, a university student researching artificial intelligence and virtual reality in real estate. They talk about how AI and VR might change property viewings, inspections and investor relationships. Kevin shares the potential benefits and challenges from multiple perspectives; as an investor, letting agency owner and property mentor. KEY TAKEAWAYS Virtual reality could revolutionise property viewings for international or out-of-area investors, allowing them to experience properties remotely without travelling, potentially seeing areas both during day and night to get a complete picture. VR technology could enhance property management through virtual inspections, enabling landlords to remotely view properties during move-ins, move-outs, and periodic inspections without physically visiting. Trust remains fundamental so while VR offers enhanced visualisation compared to photos or descriptions, the relationship with the estate agent remains crucial as clients must trust the accuracy of virtual representations. Early adoption of VR/AI presents a dilemma as businesses must balance being innovative against the financial risk of investing in rapidly changing tech that may become outdated. For local property purchases, where buyers are making significant life investments, VR will likely supplement rather than replace physical viewings, as people will still want to "touch and feel" properties. International investment markets may see faster VR adoption since investors often purchase properties without viewing them, focusing primarily on location and investment potential rather than specific property features. BEST MOMENTS "One of the things I would find really helpful with virtual reality is not just necessarily on the viewing of the property before you buy it, but the midterm inspections, if that could be done in a virtual reality way, that would be amazing." "I would not buy a house on the back of a virtual reality tour. I would watch the virtual reality tour to identify what it baseline looks like. Then before I'd make my offer, I want to go into that house and view it.” "It's going to change everything we do. And it's a little bit scary at the same time because, especially AI, it's almost like Arnold Schwarzenegger was right. Terminator is coming into reality." "But at the end of the day, I'm a human being. I want that interaction." 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/Progpertyprogressive, property, investing, rent, housing, buy to lets, serviced accomodation, block, auction, home, financial freedom, recurring income, tax, mortgage, assets: http://progressiveproperty.co.uk/

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  41:23
• Is Now a Bad Time to Invest or a Golden Opportunity?

  https://www.progressiveproperty.co.uk/raf/ Sean and Kevin tackle the burning question: is now a bad time to invest or a golden opportunity? Kevin shares contrarian wisdom about market timing, revealing why professionals continue making deals while amateurs wait for the perfect moment that never exists. With over 120 properties in his portfolio, Kevin gives advice on navigating uncertain markets, spotting opportunities when others panic and why housing will always remain a fundamental need—even in an AI-dominated future. KEY TAKEAWAYS Don't try to time the market. Focus on finding good deals that work now rather than waiting for the "perfect" moment to buy. Down markets create the best buying opportunities because motivated sellers fear prices dropping further, allowing you to negotiate better discounts. Property remains a fundamental human need regardless of economic conditions or technology changes, people will always need somewhere to live. Choose a strategy you'll actually implement in your local area. Deal packaging, rent-to-rent, service accommodation, or HMOs can all work when done right. Government housing promises rarely materialise as planned because they benefit from higher property values that generate more tax revenue. Economic downturns increase demand for affordable housing like HMOs as people look to save money by sharing accommodations with bills included. BEST MOMENTS "The amateurs wait till the market's gone up. They wait till the media tell them the market's gone up so they know which house to buy. Most people take their advice from their mate down the pub, their mate at work, their parents, or the media, and none of them have ever bought a house." "I have never seen anybody lose money when they held onto the house. Why? Because you ride it out and it goes back up. If you buy right, you'll always make money. And then when the market drops, you just ride it out and you survive." "Everyone is gonna need a home to live in. Property is the one thing that everybody needs. Food and housing, but food can be made artificial. Housing will always be housing because people will always need shelter." "You can either make excuses or make money, but you're not making both. Two types of people listening to this podcast, those that let the world happen to them and those that create their own world. Which one are you?" 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/Progpertyprogressive, property, investing, rent, housing, buy to lets, serviced accomodation, block, auction, home, financial freedom, recurring income, tax, mortgage, assets: http://progressiveproperty.co.uk/

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  23:34
• How to Protect Your Portfolio Against Economic Uncertainty

  https://www.progressiveproperty.co.uk/raf/ Sean and Kev explore tactics for protecting your property portfolio, including creative financing methods and overlooked opportunities. Whether you're an experienced investor or just beginning, Sean and Kev share knowledge that could potentially save you thousands. KEY TAKEAWAYS Understanding market dynamics is essential before investing; analyse local trends, employment rates and development plans to identify areas with strong growth potential. Creative financing strategies can unlock deals even in tight credit markets; leveraging joint ventures, private money and seller financing options increases your investment possibilities. Building a reliable power team of professionals (solicitors, agents, contractors) is as important as finding the right property. The right connections can provide off market deals and save thousands in unexpected costs. Due diligence is always essential, thorough inspection of property condition and legal aspects prevents costly surprises. The right exit strategy should be determined before purchase, clarity on your endgame affects every aspect of the investment decision. Mindset separates successful investors from the rest! Continuous learning, resilience through setbacks,and surrounding yourself with positive influences creates the foundation for sustainable property investment success. BEST MOMENTS "Property investment isn't about getting rich overnight; it's about making informed decisions that build wealth consistently over time. I've seen too many people rush in with emotion rather than analysis." "The biggest mistake new investors make is thinking that the deal ends at purchase. That's when the real work begins, managing effectively, controlling costs, and executing your strategy with discipline." "I've seen properties that looked perfect on paper become nightmares because investors skipped proper surveys. That £500 saved upfront cost one client over £30,000 in structural repairs that could have been negotiated into the purchase price." "Market cycles are inevitable, but opportunities exist in every market. When others panic and sell, that's often the precise moment smart investors should be looking to acquire strategically." 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/Progpertyprogressive, property, investing, rent, housing, buy to lets, serviced accomodation, block, auction, home, financial freedom, recurring income, tax, mortgage, assets: http://progressiveproperty.co.uk/

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  27:31

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