Why I Feel Like an Alien at Property Investor Meetings

1. Present-Focused Vision: Many investors remain fixated on the here and now, seemingly unaware of the volatile global forces surrounding the UK market.

2. Capital Dependency: The belief that "you need money to make money" is still dominant, often relying on savings or home equity. While strategies like rent-to-rent and deal sourcing offer alternatives, the property game is undeniably tougher today compared to yesteryear.

3. Greed vs Fear - Changing Motivations: Where once greed and easy money drew people into property, today it seems driven more by fear—specifically, the fear of not having enough disposable income.

4. Motivated Sellers Misunderstood: Years later, many still think “cash today” is the only solution for motivated sellers, overlooking the deeper personal or situational problems behind their decisions. The result: sellers are barraged with BMV buyers who look and sound the same.

5. False Expectations: New investors speak eagerly of high returns, but often ignore the hidden costs—financial and personal. In today’s market, overestimating gains and underestimating expenses can be unforgiving.

6. Herd Mentality: Following the crowd may offer comfort, but rarely leads to innovation. Many investors start off “super excited”—fuelled by trainers selling them a dream and a sense of belonging—but within a few years, they leave the market with little to show for it. Start simple, take action, focus on one formula. It’s not a race to the finish line.

7. Education Overspending: Some believe expensive property education will guarantee success. But just like a university degree doesn’t ensure a job, costly courses alone won’t deliver profitable deals—they need to be paired with real-world adaptability.

8. Strategy Before Problem: Too often, investors focus on applying strategies rather than solving the real problems of the people involved. Deals are made in conversations, not classrooms. Ever had the impression of being judged at first sight because you are scripted to a standard formula like everyone else? Your solution must fit the other person’s problem whether buying, selling or renting. People first, strategy later!

9. Price Over Terms: The obsession with price overshadows the importance of the terms of the deal—yet it's often the terms that make or break long-term outcomes, e.g. does a seller really need all cash now, or was he never presented with an alternative for more cash later?

10. Local Lens—Global Blindness: While investors follow local indicators—like interest rates, taxes, and landlord regulations—there’s little awareness of global factors like geopolitics and macroeconomics that can have a massive impact.

11. Re-Emerging Credit Exposure: Heavy reliance on traditional lending has returned, much like pre-2008. The systemic risk from overleveraging is once again being ignored.

12. Misunderstanding Creative Real Estate: In the 2000s, creative strategies were a mystery. Today, they’re diluted and often paired with renovations for resale or rent. Suggest something like controlling a house with a £1 deposit and no mortgage, and you’ll get a polite “interesting...” before they shuffle back to their default playbook.

Unlike the 2000s, where ignorance could still lead to windfalls, today’s market punishes missteps quickly. If you're not paying attention, today’s learning curve can flatten your journey before it even starts.

In summary, this isn’t a criticism—just an observation. The faces may change, but the behaviours repeat. When you’re immersed in the system, the outside world can feel alien. But from the outside looking in, it’s all too familiar.