Amy Russell has built a seven-figure property portfolio—but with her money continually being reinvested, she still describes herself as “skint”.

Her biggest cash-flow scare came from a sourced property bought for £62,500. The refurbishment was expected to cost approximately £20,000 but finished closer to £30,000, with little warning from the project manager. Amy then received an £85,000 valuation—despite the property having a Home Report value of £80,000 before the work began—leaving her needing to find additional money to exit the bridging loan.

Amy shares what she learned from the experience, how she built a portfolio of eight buy-to-lets and one serviced accommodation property, and why she may not purchase another standard buy-to-let. She also discusses property sourcing, guaranteed-rent contracts, her first planned flip and the reality of building assets without always having cash available.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

• How Amy built a medical-device compliance consultancy before entering property

• Why she began investing as a long-term alternative to relying solely on a pension

• Buying her first Hamilton buy-to-let with cash in 2021

• Growing to eight buy-to-lets and one serviced accommodation property

• The sourced property bought for £62,500 against an £80,000 Home Report

• How a £20,000 refurbishment estimate increased to approximately £30,000

• Why poor communication from the project manager created a serious cash-flow problem

• Receiving two £85,000 valuations before successfully appealing to £90,000

• The additional bridging costs caused by the delayed refinance

• Why investors must independently check refurbishment estimates and comparable properties

• Amy’s Byres Road flat bought for £165,000 and later refinanced at approximately £220,000

• Her first planned flip: an £85,000 purchase with a £20,000 refurbishment and targeted value of £140,000–£150,000

• Transforming a heavily damaged South Queensferry property bought for £115,000

• Refinancing that property at £175,000 after spending approximately £30,000

• How a five-year guaranteed-rent contract provides around £1,700 per month

• The pressure tactics some property sourcers use to secure fees quickly

• Why the most expensive sourcing fees do not always come with the best deal packs

• Achieving strong direct bookings and approximately 70%–100% occupancy in serviced accommodation

• Buy-to-let versus serviced accommodation—and why Amy wants more cash flow

• Her ambition to attract private investment for larger commercial projects

CONNECT WITH AMY

Aims Property Group: https://aimspropertygroup.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-russellphd/

Instagram: @aims_property_group

TikTok: @aims.property.gro

NETWORKING EVENTS

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