Five years ago, I embarked on a property investment journey with no prior experience but a strong determination to build a portfolio that would eventually allow me to leave my full-time job. Today, I proudly manage seven properties, including two single lets, one property let to a social housing provider, and four HMOs (houses in multiple occupation). Here’s how I achieved this milestone while working full-time, and how you can do the same.

Like many aspiring investors, I started with a single let property. My initial focus was on finding a property that required minimal refurbishment, as I was still learning the ropes. I conducted thorough research to identify areas with good rental demand and reasonable property prices. This first property became my stepping stone, teaching me valuable lessons about tenant management and property maintenance.

After successfully managing the first property, I reinvested the rental income and savings into a second single let. By this point, I had gained confidence in property management and developed a strategy for finding the right deals.

My next move was into the social housing sector. Letting a property to a social housing provider offered guaranteed rental income and minimal day-to-day management responsibilities. This setup was ideal for someone balancing property investment with a demanding full-time job.

With three properties under my belt, I decided to venture into HMOs. The appeal of higher rental yields outweighed the increased complexity of managing multiple tenants in a single property. I took the following steps to ensure success: