Shows
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastFaster, Easier Housing KnowledgeSend us a textRichard Hyde, founder of Thinkhouse joined Anna Clare Harper for this episode of The Return. ThinkHouse is a brilliant, hand-selected library of housing insights.Written by people who’ve been in the weeds.So you don’t need to reinvent the wheel.→ Work smart, not hard.This week on The Return, Anna spoke to Richard Hyde, founder of ThinkhouseA library of 1,000+ reports on housing, policy and strategy.Highlights: - 98% of homes we’ll live in by 2030...2025-06-0519 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastThe Return Podcast Host on Career ChallengesSend us a textIn this episode, the podcasting roles were reversed. Erica Sosna interviewed Anna Clare Harper, Host of The Return and Co-Founder of GreenResi.Anna says, 'I was lucky to be invited on The Career Equation, hosted by Erica Sosna - career coach and Good Housekeeping’s in-house career expert. The format is that each guest brings a career challenge they are facing and Erica helps them through it using her methodology. My challenge (at the time of recording - a few months ago now) was: should I focus on s...2025-05-2237 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastCEO of FTSE 250 Landlord, Helen GordonSend us a textHelen Gordon, CEO of Grainger PLC, the UK’s largest listed residential landlord joined Anna Clare Harper for this episode of The Return.What people think you should do:Take a huge mortgage.Own a home ASAP.Consider your home to be your main ‘investment’.Spend the bulk of your money on your home.Or, you could:Enjoy living in a much nicer place than you could afford to buy.Waste less time on property maintenance.Enjoy the flexibility, and move when you want to (not af...2025-04-2441 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastHow to get your finances in orderSend us a textAnna Clare Harper chatted to Ann-Marie Atkins, a Managing Partner and award-winning Financial Planner at Evelyn Partners, about what you need to know about investing.Disclaimer and spoiler alert - there’s no actual investment tips or investment advice, the game-changing advice is about TAX and INFLATION (and booking a Finance Date with yourself).Some snippets from Ann-Marie:Want to double your money in the next 10 years?? You can, if you invest at 7.2% interest (a version of this is known elsewhere as the Rule of 72)If you do on...2025-01-3040 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastKate Faulkner OBE: Create a Purposeful Property CareerSend us a textAnna Clare Harper recently chatted on the podcast with Kate Faulkner OBE, one of the UK’s leading property experts, the founder of free consumer education site Propertychecklists, The Home Buying and Selling Council and The Lettings Industry Council - which is how Anna met her.Kate has worked with the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government and regularly features on BBC TV and radio including You and Yours and Moneybox.As well as an impressive career, she’s also infectiously enthusiastic about creating positive change in the prop...2024-10-2427 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastDigital Connectivity + Real Asset ValuesSend us a textAnna Clare Harper chatted with Grainne Gilmore, Director of Research & Insights at real assets advisory firm Cluttons about what digital connectivity means for real asset operators, ESG targets and homeowners.This episode covers:What digital connectivity actually is, from phone masts to broadband capacity.Why capacity and speed are so important, for example playing a critical role in urgent healthcare delivery, facilitating the achievement of corporate ESG targets through IOT devices, or enabling families to connect with their communities.What we need to do in order to remain internationally competitive...2024-08-0116 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastMichele Giddens OBE: Sustainable Investing PioneerSend us a textSustainable Investing with Co-Founder & Co-CEO of pioneer Bridges Fund Management, Michele Giddens OBE and Anna Clare Harper.In Anna's words:If you work in sustainable investing, you probably already know the ‘Bridges Spectrum of Capital’. I discovered and loved it when I was researching my book on Sustainable Residential Investing, so I was especially excited to chat with Michele Giddens OBE, Co-CEO of Bridges Fund Management, which she Co-Founded alongside Philip Newborough and Sir Ronald Cohen - who gets described as "the father of British venture capital"....2024-05-0930 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastBritish Property Federation: How to Shape Housing PolicySend us a textHow to change housing policy with Ian Fletcher, Director of Policy at the British Property Federation and Anna Clare Harper.In Anna's words:I chatted to Ian Fletcher, Director of Policy at the British Property Federation about how to influence housing policy.I found it fascinating to hear about:The latest on hot topics like Renters Reform Leasehold Reform and the up-coming election How policy-making actually works, from consultations with Civil Servants to lobbying Members of ParliamentWhat next for housing policy2024-04-2519 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastJohn Lewis: Retail + Rental HousingSend us a textRetail, real estate and Build to Rent with Katherine Russell, Director of Build to Rent at the John Lewis Partnership and Anna Clare Harper.In Anna's words:I had the chance to chat with Katherine Russell, Director of Build to Rent at the John Lewis Partnership about retail, real estate and Build to Rent.Topics included:The journey that the John Lewis Partnership - better known for homewares than housing - has been on with real estate generally, and residential property specifically, from...2024-03-2818 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastResponsible Residential Investment at ScaleSend us a textUnlocking responsible UK Residential investment at scale with Anna Clare Harper, CEO of GreenResi and Andrew Teacher, Co-Founder of Lauder Teacher Associates.In Anna's words:'My good friend Andrew Teacher grilled me in my capacity as CEO of GreenResi on unlocking responsible UK residential investment at scale.Topics include:The residential market opportunity: scale, growing income and resilience underpinned by demographicsHow to deploy rapidly at scale: acquiring granular existing rentals for faster, less risky, less carbon intensive access to residential vs Build to RentHow processes can...2024-03-1430 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastFund Manager CEO: Residential for Rent + 240,000 HomesSend us a textResidential for rent with Cath Webster, CEO of Thriving Investments, the fund manager with a social conscience backed by the UK's leading Social Enterprise and Anna Clare Harper.In Anna's words:'I loved chatting to Cath Webster, CEO of Thriving Investments, the fund manager with a social conscience backed by Places for People, the UK's leading Social Enterprise which owns or manages over 240,000 homes for 500,000 Customers across the UK.We covered:The different segments in residential such as Affordable Rented, Social Rented and Private RentedHow Build...2024-02-2828 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastJLL: What Next for Living Sector Investment?Send us a textWhat next for Living Capital? With Simon Scott, Lead Director, Living Capital Markets UK at JLL and Anna Clare Harper.In Anna's words:I chatted to Simon Scott, Lead Director, Living Capital Markets UK at the second largest global property advisor, JLL, about the future of ‘living capital’ (which is essentially the institutionally-funded segment of the real estate market which people live in).Topics include:What we can learn from 2023 around the resilience of residential investmentFactors influencing investment valuations, from fire safety to oper...2024-02-1530 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastTop Private Rental Sector TrendsSend us a textAnna Clare Harper, Host of The Return and CEO of GreenResi on Private Rental Sector Trends.Anna says:It’s been a while since I didn’t have a high powered guest on the podcast, and a lot has been happening in the market and in my world. So this week, I thought I’d take the opportunity to share some of that (read: talk to myself!), answering some of the questions I get asked frequently about the market and my business.Topics include:Key soc...2024-02-0119 min
The Return: Property & Investment Podcast£90bn Asset Manager: Sustainable InvestingSend us a textHow partnerships, innovation & ‘insetting’ help achieve more sustainable investment outcomes with Jessica Pilz, Head of Sustainable Investing at £90bn Asset Manager, Fiera Capital & Anna Clare Harper.In Anna's words:I had the chance to chat with Jessica Pilz, Head of Sustainable Investing at £90bn Asset Manager, Fiera Capital.Topics included:How to integrate Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) considerations into commercial investment decisions, and when to say no to attractive financial returns.Innovation and ‘insetting’ instead of offsetting.How to use partnerships to address complex environmental and social cha...2024-01-1827 min
The Return: Property & Investment Podcast£1.2 trillion Legal & General IM: What's changed?Send us a textHow institutional real estate investors respond to change with Emma Long, Head of Business Strategy, LGIM Real Assets Equity and Anna Clare Harper.In Anna's words:I chatted with Emma Long, Head of Business Strategy, Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) Real Assets Equity about how one of the largest asset managers in Europe, with global Assets under Management of £1.2 trillion, makes sound investment decisions and adapts to market changes.Topics include:The implications of a changing investor landscape with Direct Benefit pensions buyouts and Direct Contribution p...2024-01-0435 min
The Return: Property & Investment Podcast£3.9bn Investor: ESG + Single Family RentalSend us a textESG Investing in Alternative & Operational Real Estate With Sadie Malim, Head of ESG and Legal at Moorfield, a £3.9bn specialist investor and Anna Clare Harper.In Anna's words:I had a wonderful chat with Sadie Malim, Head of ESG and Legal at Moorfield, a £3.9bn specialist investor, on the podcast. Key topics included:The democratisation of real estateWhat ‘alternative’ and ‘operational’ really mean (when UK residential is 8 x larger than UK commercial property and 4 x larger than the FTSE 100!)Advice for investors exploring ESG integra...2023-12-2125 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastFund Director + BPF: The Best ESG MeasuresSend us a textHow should we measure ESG in residential investment? Anna Clare Harper discusses, with Alex Notay, Director at Thriving Investments, and internationally recognised expert on Build to Rent and ESG in residential.In Anna's words: Alex Notay is Placemaking & Investment Director at Thriving Investments, which aims to be the most socially responsible asset management company in the housing sector, and is part of Places for People. She’s an internationally recognised expert on Build to Rent and ESG in residential, and she has helpe...2023-12-0726 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastWhat is Net Zero for UK Homes?Send us a textWhat is Net Zero for UK homes? Anna Clare Harper discusses with Phil Mason, Head of Regulatory Engagement at Trustmark, the government endorsed quality scheme for home improvements.In Anna's words:I chatted to Phil Mason, Head of Regulatory Engagement at Trustmark, the government endorsed quality scheme for home improvements, an organisation that is critical for the urgent retrofit of UK homes, about the impact of regulations on retrofit and the path to Net Zero for homes.We covered:What Net Zero means for U...2023-11-2326 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastShould You Buy a Multi-Million ££ Home Now?Send us a textIs now the time to upsize? Anna Clare Harper discusses with Polly Ogden Duffy, MD at John D Wood & Co.In Anna's words:I had a great chat with Polly Ogden Duffy, Managing Director at prime sales and lettings agency, John D Wood & Co.We covered:How to achieve your buying, selling or renting goals in the current market How upsizers are winning in 2023What has caused the time taken to complete a sale to double since 2019Ho...2023-11-0919 min
The Return: Property & Investment Podcast£223bn Aviva Investors: How to be a Fund ManagerSend us a textHow to become a fund manager, and what are the greatest opportunities for institutional real estate investment? With Imogen Ebbs, Head of UK Real Estate Funds at Aviva Investors and Anna Clare Harper.In Anna's words:I had the chance to chat with Imogen Ebbs, Head of UK Real Estate Funds at £223bn asset manager Aviva Investors, on the podcast. We covered:How to become a fund manager, and how Aviva Investors are helping the next generation of fund managers onto the ladderWhat ‘good’ looks like in the...2023-10-2630 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastEPC Rules Scrapped - So What?Send us a textWhat does scrapping EPC targets mean for residential? Rod Turner x Anna Clare Harper, CEO of GreenResi.In Anna's words:In this episode I share my thoughts on the scrapping of proposed Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards of EPC C+ for properties to be legally rented out. The tables were turned and I joined Rod Turner on his Property Business Investment ‘Rodcast’ in my capacity as CEO of GreenResi, which helps residential investors with portfolios worth £100m+ to make efficient, reliable buy, sell and upgrade decisions at scal...2023-10-1235 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastTrustMark: Retrofit, Rogue Traders + RegulationsSend us a textAvinash Rajan, Proposition Director for TrustMark, the UK Government-Endorsed Quality Scheme for home improvements and Anna Clare Harper discuss 'How to protect consumers and innovate for Net Zero'.In Anna's words:I had the chance to chat with Avinash Rajan, Proposition Director for TrustMark, the UK Government-Endorsed Quality Scheme for home improvements, and an organisation that is critical for the urgent retrofit of UK homes.We covered:Innovations and policy changes in home comfort and the path to Net Zero H...2023-09-2822 min
The Return: Property & Investment Podcast£1bn Property Lender: How Family Offices Protect WealthSend us a textAnna Clare Harper talked to Carl Jabbour, Head of Investors and COO of £1bn+ bridging lender Fiduciam about what next for real estate non-bank lending, and how Family Offices protect their wealth in an inflationary environment.In Anna's words:I had a great, very informative chat with Carl Jabbour, Head of Investors and COO of £1bn+ property and SME lender Fiduciam, for the podcast. We talked about: Why family offices and institutional investors are so keen to lend, and the non-cyclical growth of non-bank lendingHow macroeconomic shift...2023-09-1413 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastOctopus Energy: Zero Bills, Technology + Green InnovationSend us a textEmma Fletcher, Homes Director for Octopus Energy joins Anna Clare Harper for this episode on Octopus Energy, Zero Bills, Technology + Green Innovation.In Anna's words:I chatted to Emma Fletcher, Homes Director at Octopus Energy, the UK's most awarded energy supplier. Emma is also a renewable energy pioneer herself, having led the UK’s first green district heating system, which we have talked about in past episodes.In this episode, we talked about:Using technology and innovation bridge the gap between traditional housing infrastructure and the de...2023-08-3114 min
The Return: Property & Investment Podcast5% Home Deposits + Better KPIsSend us a textAnna Clare Harper talks Humans, real estate and finance with Ray Rafiq, serial founder including of Unmortgage, which became Wayhome.In Anna's words:I chatted to Rayhan Rafiq, serial founder including of Unmortgage, which became Wayhome - a ground-breaking institutionally-backed shared ownership scheme for aspiring owners of existing homes letting people buy as little as 5% of a home and rent the rest.We talked about ‘the human side of business’, including:What key performance indicators ‘customer-centric’ businesses really needBuilding trust and rapport in low trust, emotionally-charged industri...2023-08-1724 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastPAS2035 + Training 200,000 Retrofitters by 2030Send us a textTraining 200,000 retrofitters by 2030 with David Pierpoint, Co-Founder and CEO of The Retrofit Academy and Anna Clare Harper.In Anna's words:I chatted with David Pierpoint, CEO of The Retrofit Academy, the leading retrofit skills training provider on a special podcast demystifying retrofit standards, certifications and training.Highlights include:How PAS 2035 emerged, and why it’s so importantThe relationship between PAS 2035, ECO4 and EPC recommendationsMaintaining quality in a race against timeThe Retrofit RapGuest website: https://retrofitacademy.org/Guest LinkedIn: https://www.li...2023-08-0321 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastFix Your Rental Properties (+1 Million Others) CheaperSend us a textUnderstanding customers and using tech for effective asset maintenance with UK Managing Director of Aareon Group and FixFlo Co-Founder, Rajeev Nayyar and Anna Clare Harper.In Anna's words:I chatted with the wonderful Rajeev Nayyar, UK Managing Director of Aareon Group (the largest property management software group in the UK, including Arthur, FixFlo and Aereon UK) and Co-Founder of FixFlo, the leading repairs and maintenance software used for more than 1 million properties in the UK. Highlights include:The late shift to focusing on customer wants and n...2023-07-0613 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastAviva's £100m Socially Responsible Property DevelopmentSend us a text£100m investment in socially responsible development with Paul Clark, Stories Co-founder & CIO, Sophie White, Sector Head for Regeneration at Aviva Capital Partners and Anna Clare Harper.In Anna's words:I really enjoyed chatting with Paul Clark, Stories Co-founder & CIO, Sophie White, Sector Head for Regeneration at Aviva Capital Partners about their £100m joint venture in purposeful, socially responsible development. Some highlights included:Measuring social responsibility Using the right capital for long term projects How trust and fear really show up in development partnershipsPaul Clark Linke...2023-06-2220 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastMake Better Property Decisions with Tech + DataSend us a textHow technology can help residential investors and managers to make better decisions in 2023-2028 with Anna Clare HarperIn Anna's words:On the pod this week I talked about what I’ve been working on: a new tool to help residential investors and managers to navigate the current environment, including:Current and planned regulations The urgent need to improve the quality and energy efficiency of homes in the UKMaking better, cheaper, faster decisions at scale.We’re running pilots with portfolio investors and managers looking to:Add v...2023-06-0812 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastGo Digital + Augmented Reality to Fix Homes FasterSend us a textDigital property management and maintenance and proptech fundraising in the current climate with David Rae, COO and CFO of Evo and Anna Clare Harper.In Anna's words:I really enjoyed chatting with David Rae, the CFO and COO of Evo, a digital property management business managing 5,900 units for clients like British Land, Acorn and Winkworth. Some highlights included:Using augmented reality video technology to triage maintenance, reducing the cost and environmental impact of maintenance calloutsAuditing maintenance and repairs, and improving efficiency through property record-keepingWhat it’s rea...2023-05-2529 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastMissing: 500k Green Skill WorkersSend us a textGreen skills emergency with Richard Ng, Co-Founder of Greenworkx and Anna Clare Harper talk about the green skills emergency.In Anna's words:We discussed:How the 500,000 person labour shortage is holding back Net Zero 2050What skills are most in demand in retrofitting real estateThe future of green skills - from funding to tech-enabled learningGuest website: https://greenworkx.orgGuest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardcrng/Host LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annaclareharper/Host website: annaclareharper.com2023-05-1124 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastLiz Peace CBE: Navigate Politics + Energy EfficiencySend us a textPolitics and energy efficiency with Liz Peace CBE, former CEO of the British Property Federation, Non-Executive Director and Advisor and Anna Clare Harper.In Anna's words:Liz Peace CBE was CEO of the British Property Federation. She specialises in politics, property and the built environment and advises both public and private sector bodies, making her the perfect podcast guest to discuss the politics of energy efficiency in real estate with.Her roles include as a Non-Executive Director at Howard de Walden Estates and the...2023-04-2722 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastThe Future of UK Housing: Downsizing to DevelopmentSend us a textA vision for the UK housing market with Emma Fletcher, Development Director at Hyde Housing Association and Anna Clare Harper.In Anna's words:Following a Cambridge University Land Society and Joseph Rowntree Foundation event on housing policy, Emma Fletcher and I were asked to write a paper detailing a realistic vision for the UK housing market, and what policies could be used to achieve that vision.Emma is a Development Director at Hyde, a Housing Association responsible for 50,000 homes, and Chair of Swaffham Prior Community Land Trust...2023-04-1320 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastUK’s First 30-Year Fixed MortgageSend us a textThe UK’s first 30 year fixed rate mortgages with Arjan Verbeek, CEO and Co-Founder of Perenna, a new Danish-style mortgage lender and Anna Clare Harper.In Anna's words:I chatted with Arjan Verbeek, CEO and Co-Founder of Perenna, about this new Danish-style mortgage lender offering 30 year fixed rate mortgages in the UK.We covered:How Danish banks - and now UK banks - can offer long term fixed rate mortgages using covered bondsThe hurdles a new bank has to overcome - as seen in Bank of Da...2023-03-3020 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastRoger Madelin CBE: Sustainable Development + Place-MakingSend us a textSustainable development and place-making with Roger Madelin CBE, Joint Head of British Land’s Canada Water Development and Anna Clare Harper.In Anna's words: I was delighted to chat to Roger Madelin CBE about sustainable development and place-making in the current challenging environment.Roger is Joint Head of British Land’s 53 acre Canada Water Development, and previously led major projects including Brindleyplace in Birmingham, Thames Valley Park in Reading the King’s Cross Development.We covered:The commercial realities of development in the...2023-03-1638 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastAubrey Adams OBE: What are Housing Associations?Send us a textHow Housing Associations are helping solve market problems with Aubrey Adams OBE, Chair of L&Q, former CEO of Savills and Chair of Tritax Big Box REIT and Anna Clare Harper.In Anna's words:I sat down with Aubrey Adams OBE, Chair of L&Q Group, one of the biggest housing associations in the UK, with 110,000 homes. He’s also former Chief Executive of Savills, and Chair of Tritax Big Box REIT.We covered:What Housing Associations like L&Q, with 110k homes under management, actually do...2023-03-0227 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastSingle Family Rental + Tech-Enabled Asset ManagementSend us a textHow tech drives quality residential asset management throughout market turbulence with Co-Founder of IMMO, Samantha Kempe and Anna Clare HarperIn Anna's words:Residential investment is seen as a great investment option for volatile, inflationary times. And quality asset management is an essential part of this.I had the pleasure of interviewing Samantha Kempe, Co-Founder and CIO of IMMO, with highlights including:The wide range of investors now allocating capital to Single Family Rental, from Private Equity to Pension FundsQuality asset management in existing residential, including...2023-02-1617 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastWhat the Building Safety Act Means for YouSend us a textWhat does The Building Safety Act do and mean? With experts from the RICS, the RIBA, NHBC and the Insurance sector and Anna Clare Harper.In Anna's words:The Building Safety Act marks a significant change for the construction industry. It overhauls existing regulations on building standards and construction materials, with the goal of driving quality in design, construction and operation.I had the privilege of chairing a panel on its wide-reaching implications with Gary Strong, Global Standards Director at the RICS, Jane Duncan OBE from the...2023-02-0244 min
The Return: Property & Investment Podcast800% Insurance Cost Increase, Post-GrenfellSend us a textWhat the drive for building safety means for professionals and their liability with John Winter of Apex Insurance and Anna Clare Harper.In Anna's words:The post-Grenfell drive for improved building safety has, rightly, shaken up the construction industry.One consequence of many, is the significant change in the costs of Professional Indemnity Insurance and the timeframes it is needed for.I spoke to John Winter from Apex Insurance about:Extended liability periods: from 6 years from practical completion on a project to 15 years, and...2023-01-1927 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastWhat's Happening in the UK Rental Market? 2023Send us a textWhat’s happening in the UK rental market? With Richard Donnell, Executive Director at Zoopla and Anna Clare Harper.In Anna's words:I chatted to Richard Donnell, Executive Director at Zoopla, about the UK rental market in Q4 2022.Some highlights:12.1% annual rental price growthDemand is 46% above average, and total supply is 38% below the 5 year averagesRental (un)affordability is at a 10 year peak of 35% for single earners, which explains by 3.6m 20-34 year olds are living with their families (not far off the size of the entire so...2023-01-0514 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastBlackstone's Invitation Homes + Single Family Rental in EuropeSend us a textSingle Family Rental investment in Europe with Alexandra Thur, former founding team member at Blackstone-backed Invitation Homes & Anna Clare Harper.In Anna's words:I chatted to Alexandra Thur, Founder of Tollington Group and former founding team member at Blackstone-backed Invitation Homes and B2R about the emergence of Single Family Rental as an institutionally-accepted asset class.We covered:The market conditions needed to make Single-Family Rental work in the USThe growth of US Single-Family Rental, to ⅓ of homes in some citiesWhat European investors can learn from th...2022-12-2214 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastSustainable Residential Investing Book Launch + 4th BirthdaySend us a textSustainable Residential Investing Book + 4 years of the pod - With Anna Clare HarperIn Anna's words:To mark 4 years of the pod, and the launch of my latest book, Sustainable Residential Investing, the latest episode covers key market trends and changes of the last 4 years.Topics include:The impacts of political uncertainty on real estateUsing tech for good, and avoiding drinking the proptech koolaid (e.g. WeWork valuation; NFTs).Sustainable Residential Investing - and a 25% discount for my new book on this topic.Check it...2022-05-1210 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastHas the UK housing market gone mad? With Heath Thomas, Head of Real Estate Finance at Natwest and RBS for the North/North West and Anna Clare Harper, CEO, SPI CapitalSend us a textDespite a global pandemic and extraordinary unemployment figures, house prices in the UK have reached record highs.This episode of the podcast shares a replay from a recent event where I discussed the current market with Heath Thomas, Head of Real Estate Finance at Natwest and RBS for the North/North West.Key topics included: What’s happening in the housing market right now? What next for the housing market? What it all means for investors looking for opportunities in the current marketEnjoy!...2021-07-0831 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastSustainable residential property investing with Anna Clare Harper, CEO, SPI CapitalSend us a textThe UK’s legally binding commitment to achieve net carbon zero by 2050 means that now, sustainability is no longer a ‘nice to have’. Our legal obligation is showing up in the form of new rules, regulations and best practices affecting all sectors that contribute to emissions.40% of UK emissions come from households, which makes the chance of more regulations and policies around the environmental performance of residential property more likely than not.These new regulations will affect investment risks, opportunities, value and performance.Listen in to hear more a...2021-06-2412 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastHow institutions see the UK Private Rental Sector with Paddy Allen, Head of Operational Capital Markets at leading international property business, Colliers and Anna Clare HarperSend us a textThere’s a huge amount of capital coming into the ‘beds’ sector from major global institutions, catalysed further by Covid-19.But there are still huge differences between how private individuals approach investing vs how big funds approach it.I had the chance to quiz Paddy Allen, Head of Operational Capital Markets at leading international property business, Colliers, on topics including: The strategic outlook for operators and investors in UK real estate - from PRS to hotels The biggest opportunities and risks in the rental sector The most e...2021-06-1026 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastWomen and Wealth with Elspeth Kinder (Head of Family Law, JMW), Ann-Marie Atkins (Managing Partner, Tilney), Ruth McCarthy (Managing Director, SPI Capital) and Anna Clare HarperSend us a textThere are so many misunderstandings about women and wealth.Whether you care about this because you want to reduce inequalities of opportunity for yourself or the women you care about, or because you work in this sector and know you need to understand the other half of the population better, there is a huge opportunity for change.I had the chance to quiz three brilliant women in investment, finance and law on everything from practical advice around budgeting and risk, to common misconceptions such as: Pre-nups are just...2021-05-2750 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastResidential Property Investing for International Investors with Anna Clare HarperSend us a textWe’ve had a huge spike in enquiries from international investors so far in 2021.But the interest isn’t new. UK property has attracted attention and capital from all over the world for many years.The trouble is, it’s very difficult for international investors to understand the key trends affecting the UK property market, before they invest.We had some great feedback from an event we hosted on Property Investing for International Investors over the next three years.So, here’s a replay, which includes...2021-04-2927 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastWhere to invest in a post-Covid property market? With Lucian Cook, Head of UK Residential Research at Savills and leading commentator and Anna Clare HarperSend us a textI was delighted to have Lucian Cook, one of the UK property market’s leading commentators and Head of Residential Research at Savills, back on the podcast.We covered: Where prices and rents are rising, and where is best to invest in a post-Covid housing market The most important regulatory changes you need to know about in the coming years, before you buy an investment property How ‘brown discounts’ are affecting investor value, and the impact of sustainability on investor returns The next wave of institutional investment in UK...2021-04-1529 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastProperty Investing for Entrepreneurs with Anna Clare HarperSend us a textWe’ve recently started working with some incredible entrepreneurs who have made money from their businesses, and want to protect and grow their wealth so that they can maintain their lifestyle into retirement and pass on a legacy to their children.Residential property is a great fit.The trouble is, most entrepreneurs don’t have spare time, and they don’t know enough to invest for themselves.We had some great feedback from an event we hosted on Property Investing for Entrepreneurs.So, here’s a replay...2021-04-0126 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastSustainable Real Estate Investment with Investment Banker turned Sustainable Investment Specialist, Author and Podcast Host JP Dallmann and Anna Clare HarperSend us a textHow can you invest sustainably in UK property?Investment Banker turned Sustainable Investment Specialist, Forbes Contributor on Sustainable Investment and Host of leading impact investment podcast, JP Dallmann, joined me to discuss how to invest profitably and sustainably in UK residential property.Highlights of this episode include: How to measure impact in a way that is accurate and commercially viable How to prioritise: should you care more about social impact or the environment? What we can learn from within and beyond the real estate sector to...2021-03-1838 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastWhat’s next for the UK rental property market with Head of Research at Zoopla, Gráinne Gilmore and Anna Clare HarperSend us a textWhat’s changing in the UK rental property market??Zoopla’s Head of Research, Gráinne Gilmore, joined me to discuss what’s really happening in the UK Private Rental Sector.Gráinne was previously Head of Residential Research and Knight Frank, and an award-winning Economics Correspondent for The Times before her role at Zoopla.So, she’s brilliantly placed to help explain the fascinating and complicated dynamics that are affecting the UK rental market.Highlights of this episode include: What’s driving the entrenched ‘...2021-03-0417 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastHow Artificial Intelligence is transforming Private Rental Sector housing investment with Co-Founder of ground-breaking Investment Manager Immo Capital, Samantha Kempe and Anna Clare HarperSend us a textArtificial Intelligence is transforming how major global funds invest in one of the largest, most resilient asset types: Private Rental Sector housing.I had the privilege of finding out how - speaking to Samantha Kempe, Co-Founder and CIO of ground-breaking Investment Manager Immo Capital. Before this, Samantha cut her teeth managing portfolios at Blackstone, as well as working at PWC and Cushman and Wakefield, so she’s well-versed in both traditional and innovative investment management.Highlights of this episode include: How AI and data can be used to so...2021-02-1824 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastHow to reduce risk in a fast-changing market with Ruth McCarthy, MD of SPI Capital and Anna Clare HarperSend us a textHow to reduce risk in a fast-changing marketI had a great chat with Ruth McCarthy, MD of SPI Capital and former Head of Real Estate at top 100 National Law firm, JMW.Highlights include: How to protect your rights and reduce risk through legals How to avoid common investor mistakes Balancing legal and commercial requirements to get quality deals doneResourcesWebsite spi.capital & annaclareharper.comGuest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthmccarthy/Host LinkedIn: https://www...2021-02-0419 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastProperty market predictions for 2021 with Damien Fogg, CIO of SPI Capital and Anna Clare HarperSend us a textWhat will happen to the property market in 2021?I had a great chat with Damien Fogg MRICS - a surveyor, former Financial Advisor, investor, and Chief Investment Officer of residential property asset manager SPI Capital.We shared 12 predictions for the UK housing market in 2021.Highlights include: Key economic, political and policy drivers The impact of low interest rates Rising institutional investment, the emergence of the ‘corporate landlord’ and demand for end to end portfolio building The growing importance of social responsibility, as well as h...2021-01-2120 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastHow to avoid costly investment mistakes in 2021? With Damien Fogg, CIO of SPI Capital and Anna Clare HarperSend us a textHow to avoid costly investment mistakes in 2021?I had a great chat with Damien Fogg MRICS - a surveyor, former Financial Advisor, investor, and Chief Investment Officer of residential property asset manager SPI Capital.We discussed 8 of the most common, costly mistakes investors make growing their portfolio, and how you can avoid them in 2021.Highlights include: Emotional decision-making, paralysis by analysis and diving in Over-reliance on media predictions, and mistaking price for value Misunderstanding market timing and speculation Under-estimating the...2021-01-0721 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastInvesting in residential property at scale with Cedric Bucher, CEO of leading specialist fund manager Hearthstone, and Anna Clare HarperSend us a textInvesting in residential property at scaleI was delighted to speak to Cedric Bucher, CEO of Hearthstone Investments, which is the UK’s first specialist residential property fund manager - with Assets under Management of over £280m.They are leading the way in the Private Rental Sector, giving institutional investors access to mainstream family housing and low-rise apartment blocks.Prior to this, Cedric has a brilliant career with leading global consultants, banks and asset managers. So he’s well versed in the financial aspects of property investing, as we...2020-12-2421 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastMaking a Splash! Developing throughout downturns with Tom Bloxham MBE, urban regeneration pioneer, Chairman and Founder of award-winning Urban Splash, and Anna Clare HarperSend us a textI'm very excited to share my conversation with Tom Bloxham MBE, one of the best known and loved personalities in the real estate industry and a pioneer of urban regeneration.Tom is the chairman and founder of leading regeneration company Urban Splash, which has received 419 (!) awards to date for architecture, design and business success.He has a reputation as ‘the property developer who makes property development socially acceptable’, and the best accolade I’ve heard to date: a portrait in the National Portrait Gallery.Highlights of our conver...2020-12-1026 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastWhat’s changing in the UK rental market with Head of Research at Zoopla, Gráinne Gilmore and Anna Clare HarperSend us a textWhat’s changing in the UK rental market?Zoopla’s Head of Research, Gráinne Gilmore, joined me to discuss what’s really happening in the UK Private Rental Sector.Gráinne was previously Head of Residential Research at Knight Frank, and an award-winning Economics Correspondent for The Times before her role at Zoopla.So, she’s brilliantly placed to help explain the fascinating and complicated dynamics that are affecting the UK rental market.Highlights of this episode include: What’s driving the entrenched ‘two-speed mark...2020-11-2616 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastMaking real estate assets liquid with Richard Croft, Co-Founder and Chairman of leading investment group, M7, David Delaney, CEO of property stock exchange IPSX, and Anna Clare HarperSend us a textTransparency, liquidity, and listed real estateI had a fascinating discussion with Richard Croft, Co-Founder and Chairman of leading investment group, M7 and David Delaney, CEO of new property stock exchange IPSX about their first single real estate asset Initial Public Offering (IPO).Richard and David have exceptional credentials in real estate and finance, with years of experience, and billions of transactions under their belts. Richard is the Executive Chairman and co-founder of the M7 Real Estate group, and has been involved in over €8 billion of transactions across the UK...2020-11-1230 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastDamien Fogg, CIO and Anna Clare Harper, CEO of SPI Capital on starting an investment business in a recessionSend us a textWould you start an investment business in a recession?I would, and have.I wanted to share a bit more about why. So in this episode of the podcast, Damien Fogg, CIO and I explain what we’re doing at SPI Capital and why.Highlights include: The case for change, in life and business, post-lockdown (#1) The business and social case for investing in built residential assets worth 2020-10-2916 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastUsing data analytics to optimise building management with Ryan Collier, Operations Director at leading residential block manager, Pod, and Anna Clare HarperSend us a textIt’s not glamorous.Yet building management has the potential to make or break both investor returns and customer satisfaction.Historically, it’s been rare for investors to know (and perhaps, to care) how their building can be managed better. Until now.Ryan Collier has specialised in the management of large and complex buildings for 10 years, and has overseen tens of thousands of homes.He and his team at leading specialist block managers, Pod Management, provide residential estate and block management services - and comprehensive data...2020-10-0129 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastPrivate Equity and Family Office real estate investment myths with Rebekah Tobias, leading investment specialist & Head of Business Development at investment house, Marcol, and Anna Clare HarperSend us a textThe flight-to-safety, dumb money and real estateI had a great chat about Family Office, Private Equity and Institutional Investment in real estate in the current environment with Rebekah Tobias, leading investment specialist and Head of Business Development at Private Equity firm, Marcol.Rebekah’s experience includes Partner and Director roles at Marcol, M7 and Cushman & Wakefield, spanning international capital markets through to operations-led asset management. So she is well-placed to comment, and is brilliant at explaining the complex real estate investment world.Highlights of this episode in...2020-09-1735 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastWhat’s really happening in the UK rental market? With Zoopla’s Head of Research Gráinne Gilmore and Anna Clare HarperSend us a textI had the pleasure of interviewing Gráinne Gilmore, Head of Research at Zoopla, following the release of their UK Rental Market Report to discuss what’s really happening in the UK rental market.Previously an award-winning financial and economics journalist at The Times newspaper in London, and Head of Residential Research at Knight Frank, Gráinne is often interviewed by the media on the UK housing market, appearing on BBC Radio 4, Sky news, BBC Breakfast, and the BBC World Service.So, she’s brilliantly placed to help explain the fa...2020-08-2016 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastProptech myths with Toby Wilde, Founder of Oparo, one of the first algorithm-driven real estate investment companies in the UKSend us a textIn this episode, Toby Wilde and Anna Clare Harper discuss the common myths around how and whether proptech can solve housing market problems. Toby shared his controversial opinions on the major issues in the industry including the greenbelt, Airbnb and P2P lending.Toby is a multi-time Proptech Founder whose experience includes scaling Sprift, currently the fastest growing property data resource for Estate Agents, Landlords, Developers & Solicitors, as well as in Estate Agency and in his family’s property development business.Highlights includes: What problems can proptech (and sp...2020-07-2333 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastHow to value residential property, with ‘material uncertainty’ - Gavriel Merkado, CEO and Founder of leading residential property data and analytics company REalyse, and Anna Clare HarperSend us a textIn this episode, Gavriel Merkado, CEO and Founder of leading residential property data and analytics company REalyse and Anna Clare Harper discuss the ‘myth’ of ‘material uncertainty’. What material uncertainty actually means, what the implications are for investors trying to assess a deal, and the real reason banks are cautious to lend when a valuation contains this clause.A former quantitative analyst and expert in real estate data analytics, Gavriel shares his perspective on material uncertainty and whether there is a viable alternative right now in valuations. We also touched on why he b...2020-07-0923 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastProperty Finance myths Part #2: Alternative Finance myths, with Michael Bristow, Co-Founder and CEO of Crowdproperty, the UK’s leading property peer-to-peer lending platform, and Anna Clare HarperSend us a textIn this episode, Mike Bristow, Founder of the UK’s leading property peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platform, Crowdproperty, and Anna Clare Harper discuss why high rates don’t always mean high risk when it comes to property lending, and how peer-to-peer (P2P) is disrupting traditional bank finance.As a registered chartered accountant, Mike also sits on the investment committee of proptech venture capital business Property Innovation Labs (Pi Labs), and is an angel investor in leading proptech and fintech businesses.Highlights of the episode include: How tech is a...2020-06-2542 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastMyths about property finance: how bridging lenders are becoming less shark, and more heart with Guy Harrington, Founder of Glenhawk and Anna Clare HarperSend us a textIn this episode, Guy Harrington, Founder of Glenhawk, one of the fastest growing property lenders in the UK, dispels common myths and misconceptions around short term ‘bridging’ property finance. Glenhawk has lent over £115m, secured £160m finance from JP Morgan, and is on track for its target £500m loan portfolio.Highlights of this episode include: What’s really happening to lender appetite, through Coronavirus What developers and investors can learn from how lenders view risk How lenders are evolving from ‘shark’ to ‘heart’, becoming consumer-focused How to avoid the ‘loan t...2020-06-1137 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastHow to hire top talent in real estate and avoid common hiring mistakes that proptech and property startups make with Louisa Dickins, leading global proptech recruiter, and Anna Clare Harper.Send us a textI had the chance to discuss the truth about hiring in real estate with Louisa Dickens, co-founder of LMRE, a leading global proptech recruitment business helping startups scale and corporates find new talent.As a UK PropTech Association board member, Louisa is well-placed to understand what both proptech businesses and candidates expect from each other during the recruitment process and the common hiring mistakes that proptech startups and corporates make.Highlights of this episode include: What employees really want, and what businesses look for in candidates How...2020-05-2827 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastWhat works and what doesn't in a complex property market? Part 2. Paperback book launch panel with top planning lawyer Martha Grekos & Editor of leading property investor magazine, Richard BowserSend us a text*What works and what doesn't in this complex UK residential property market? Part #2*Panel discussion with one of the UK’s top planning lawyers, Martha Grekos, and Editor of the leading property investor magazine, Property Investor News, Richard Bowser, marking the paperback launch of Anna Clare Harper's book, Strategic Property Investing: What works and what doesn’t in a complex UK residential property market bit.ly/strategicpropertyinvestingHighlights include: ‘Icarus syndrome’ - and the trouble with crowd-funding and over-leverage in property development Top tips for riding a challeng...2020-05-1426 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastIs data the most valuable commodity for UK real estate investors? With Gavriel Merkado, CEO and founder of leading proptech disruptor, REalyse, and Anna Clare HarperSend us a textData has been described as more valuable than oil. But not all data is created equally. Huge risks arise if you don’t have the right data, and you don’t use it correctly in property investment.So how do you get it right, at a time when data collection seems topical, controversial and indeed essential for modern businesses?Gavriel Merkado, CEO and Founder of REalyse, leading UK real estate data and proptech disruptor, joins Anna Clare Harper to discuss the value of data - including how successful investors are...2020-04-1623 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastHow coronavirus affects ordinary property investors and what to do about it, with Ranjan Bhattacharya, Real Estate Investor, Business Owner and Host of the UK’s #1 property meet, and Anna Clare HarperSend us a textIn this episode, Ranjan Bhattacharya and Anna Clare Harper weigh up the challenges and opportunities for investors following the impact of coronavirus on the property market, and discuss how to survive both long- and short-term by shoring up your position, prioritising cashflow and knowing the right strategies to deploy.Property entrepreneur and investor Ranjan is a well-known personality in the landlord community as the host of ‘the UK’s #1 property meet’, the Baker Street Property Meet, and a popular YouTube channel.Highlights of this episode include: How the invest...2020-04-0237 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastCan Socially Responsible Property Investing solve the UK housing crisis? With Anna Clare Harper, Co-Founder of Anglo Residential, Property Investor and StrategistSend us a textIn this episode, Property Investor and Strategist Anna Clare Harper explores how the housing crisis is more than just a housing problem, and why headline grabbing policies win votes but generally prove expensive and unsuccessful.Anna recently delivered her first TEDx talk in which she was privileged to explore the question ‘Can Socially Responsible Investing solve the UK housing crisis?'.Since studying Land Economy at Cambridge University, the social and financial consequences of investing have influenced her career. She’s been privileged to be involved with £100m's worth of de...2020-03-1915 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastSimon Hughes, leading real estate innovation consultant, discusses being agile and innovative in property with Anna Clare HarperSend us a textIn this episode, Simon Hughes, Co-Founder of leading real estate innovation consultant, Jell Consulting and thought leadership and research business Liquid Real Estate Innovation, discusses shaping the future of real estate through innovation with Anna Clare Harper.Simon has an extensive track record of working with board level executives at publicly-listed and private equity-backed companies. He explains how property companies often falsely believe innovation is driven by technology, and how to really unlock fresh ideas and discover potential solutions in a sector known for being slow to adapt to change.2020-03-0514 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastPropTech Venture Capital Founder Taylor Wescoatt discusses investing in early stage PropTech startups with Anna Clare HarperSend us a textIn this episode, Taylor Wescoatt, Founder of leading PropTech venture capital firm Concrete and Anna Clare Harper discuss analysing risk and reward, what venture capitalists look for, and the importance of understanding how to solve customer problems through new PropTech ventures.Taylor brings his User Experience (UX) and Product Development experience with major brands such as eBay and Time Out to tackle real estate industry challenges and make the most of its opportunities.Highlights of this episode include: What next for real estate and PropTech? What venture...2020-02-2022 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastValue investing specialist, author and acclaimed researcher Mallika Paulraj and Anna Clare Harper discuss what real estate investors need to know to echo Warren Buffet’s successSend us a textValue investing specialist, author and acclaimed researcher Mallika Paulraj and Anna Clare Harper discuss how the school of thought so commonly associated with Benjamin Graham, then Warren Buffet, Charlie Munger et al really applies in the property world. Mallika shares top tips from a global investment and research career, from checklists to use before you invest, to understanding brain chemistry so that you can avoid common mistakes.A graduate and researcher from Stanford University and the London School of Economics, Mallika began her career in Silicon Valley as a programmer before...2020-02-0625 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastHow family offices, private equity firms, high net worth investors & institutions like pension funds really invest in real estate, with leading investment specialist Rebekah Tobias & Anna Clare HarperSend us a textIn this episode, leading investment specialist Rebekah Tobias and Anna Clare Harper discuss risk, reward, diversity and how capital is really allocated by financial institutions including high net worth investors, private equity houses, family offices and pension funds.Formerly a Partner at global real estate consultants Cushman & Wakefield, an Investment Director at CBRE and a Director at leading Real Estate Investor & Asset Manager M7, Rebekah is now Business Development Director for international investment house, MARCOL. Her real estate investment expertise spans investment advisory, valuations, capital raising and investor relations working with...2020-01-2324 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastBest-selling Author, Global Martial Arts Entrepreneur and Property Developer Sebastian Bates joins Anna Clare Harper to discuss building a lifestyle business and sources of entrepreneurial inspirationSend us a textIn this episode, Sebastian Bates joins Anna Clare Harper to discuss how to build systems and processes to build your lifestyle business and get into a mode of constant inspiration instead of solving small problems.Dubai-based martial arts entrepreneur Sebastian is the founder of the Global Warrior Academy with over 2000 students across two continents. Through developing lean systems and processes he has built a team of 30 around the world to help him run the Academy and other martial arts businesses together with Holger Danske, his property development company.Auditing...2020-01-0935 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastMulti-time Proptech Founder Toby Wilde joins Anna Clare Harper to discuss using data and algorithmic decision-making to access better property investment opportunitiesSend us a textIn this episode, Toby Wilde and Anna Clare Harper discuss how property investors can use data and algorithmic decision-making to identify better opportunities, safeguard against risk and drive efficiency.Toby is a multi-time Proptech Founder whose experience includes scaling Sprift, currently the fastest growing property data resource for Estate Agents, Landlords, Developers & Solicitors, as well as in Estate Agency and in his family’s property development business.Highlights of this episode includes: Using data, one of the most valuable resources in property, to make better investment decisions Ho...2019-12-2629 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastPaul Dunn, globally-renowned social impact entrepreneur, Founder of B1G1 & 4x TEDx speaker joins Anna Clare Harper to discuss creating a positive impact & lasting legacy through investment & businessSend us a textIn this episode, Paul Dunn joins Anna Clare Harper to discuss creating a positive impact and lasting legacy by giving back as part of business - in property and beyond. This is especially important in the property sector, which has built a reputation for not quite ‘getting’ the social responsibility agenda!Paul is an award-winning global social entrepreneur, 4x TEDx speaker & Founder of B1G1 (which stands for ‘Buy 1, Give 1’). He was also one of Hewlett Packard’s first 10 team members in Australia, has successfully built and exited his own computer businesses...2019-12-1226 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastSmart buildings for better profits, health and environment with proptech disruptor Metrikus’ CEO Gary Cottle, COO Michael Grant and Anna Clare HarperSend us a textIn this episode, Anna Clare Harper is joined by leading smart building technology business Metrikus' CEO Gary Cottle (previously a global MD / Chairman at Nomura / RBS) and COO Michael Grant to discuss how the digitisation of buildings can increase well-being and transform profits for property investors.The episode includes how real-time data capture can enable smarter decisions, making buildings and employees more efficient, profitable, healthy and better for the environment.Episode highlights include: Why a busy, stuffy room is worse for productivity than drinking 2 pints of beer...2019-11-2825 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastArtificial Intelligence, data-driven decisions and proptech shaking up mortgage lending with Proportunity Co-Founder Vadim Toader and Anna Clare HarperSend us a textIn this episode, Anna Clare Harper and Vadim Toader discuss Artificial Intelligence as a tool for forecasting house price growth and making better lending decisions.Vadim is an Entrepreneur First alumnus and Forbes ‘30 under 30’ listed Proptech Founder with a first-class Masters degree from Oxford in Engineering, Economics and Management.He co-founded the Savills-backed startup and FCA-authorised lender Proportunity, which uses machine learning as a way to predict property price rises and optimise lending decisions. The business was recently voted the ‘UK’s best proptech startup’ by Techworld.Episode hig...2019-11-1432 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastEd Mead FRICS, co-founder of Viewber, veteran agent and Non-Executive Director of Douglas & Gordon and The Property Ombudsman discusses on-demand property viewings disrupting estate agencySend us a textIn this episode, Anna Clare Harper and Ed Mead FRICS discuss how traditional estate agency needs to evolve, and how property viewing service Viewber is shaking up the process of buying, selling and letting residential property through what has been described as ‘the Uber of property viewings’.Ed is a high-profile former London agent with 37 years’ experience. He is also a Non-Executive Director of London estate agent Douglas & Gordon and The Property Ombudsman. He has built a profile as one of the industry’s leading commentators, from two BBC TV series to writi...2019-10-3122 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastProptech innovation with Angelica Krystle Donati, Proptech Founder, Venture Capital Investor, CEO and Forbes Commentator and Anna Clare HarperSend us a textWhy is ‘proptech’ hitting the headlines?Angelica Donati, a Proptech Venture Capital investor, regular Forbes contributor and CEO of International development company Donati Immobiliare Group discusses how the property sector is changing through technology and innovation with Anna Clare Harper.The episode includes why innovation and change is critical for the survival of businesses in property and construction in this new, consumer-focused world. It touches on some of the most exciting areas of innovation in the real estate sector right now, and the importance of technology as a problem solv...2019-10-1737 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastLeading branding expert Steve Edge discusses the importance of inspiration and innovation vs information in property with Anna Clare HarperSend us a textSeries three continues with one of the world's leading brand experts, design agency founder and TEDx speaker Steve Edge, whose clients range from Cartier to the UK's leading Build to Rent operators. Steve joins Anna Clare Harper to discuss innovative branding for people and places. He shares his tips for finding your unique brand strategy and explains how the power of branding can add value to your business in the current property market.With a fascination for the arts from a young age, Steve started his career in a top London...2019-10-0325 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastProperty specialist and International Investor John Corey talks Value, Strategy and Innovation with Anna Clare HarperSend us a textKicked off Series 3 of The Return with Property Fortress founder, former computer scientist, Host of the London Real Estate Meetup, NED & International Investor John Corey. We discussed the importance of strategy, value and innovation - the theme of Series 3 - in this complex environment.Massachusetts-born John once worked for Steve Jobs at NeXT in Silicon Valley, where he made his first foray into property investment. Fast forward a few years and now with a property portfolio spanning from Hawaii to London, John founded property resource platform Property Fortress and b...2019-09-1942 min
The Return: Property & Investment Podcast5 questions to ask, before you invest in UK residential property - Anna Clare HarperSend us a textUK residential property remains one of the most attractive investments available to many investors, seeking long term returns, without too much hassle. But the market has changed thanks to political, economic, social, technological and legal and regulatory shifts. Right now, investors of all scales are facing the prospect of no, low or negative real returns, uncertainty about the future, and the difficulty of accessing opportunities that suit their needs, resources and the market context.The truth is, residential property is not as 'easy' as it once was: investors need to understand...2019-09-0509 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastStrategic Property Investing: Book Preview - Anna Clare HarperSend us a textA sneak preview of Anna’s upcoming book, Strategic Property Investing. This episode shares why, how and who it’s for (and, who I am). For potential investors across the world, investing in UK property is not only right of passage, but a signifier and determinant of success. For more than 20 years, it has outperformed the alternatives available to many. And It has been seen as one of the best investments available, in particular for busy private investors looking to grow wealth, building a more secure financial future, without sacrif...2019-08-2210 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastThree (low cost, simple) ways innovation can help to reduce inequalities in the UK property market - Anna Clare HarperSend us a textIt’s no secret the UK housing market has major imbalances and inequalities - for aspiring investors and tenants alike. With little, marginal changes, innovation and technology have the potential to help open up aspects of the market, and so contribute to reducing a long-standing issue: inequality of opportunities. In another ‘between series’ of the podcast, I shared 3 ways innovation can help to reduce inequalities of opportunity in the residential property market - each on a very small scale, but with huge potential reach. This episode highlights just a few of the many free and...2019-08-0811 min
The Return: Property & Investment Podcast3 things you need to know about wealth preservation in an uncertain market - Anna Clare Harper, Property Fund Co-Founder and Property StrategistSend us a textAs a bonus episode between series 2 and 3, Anna shares an article that she recently wrote for leading Small- and Medium-sized property investor magazine, Property Investor News (PIN), about preserving wealth in an uncertain market. Anna shares 3 reasons why wealth preservation strategies have become more desirable for investors of all sizes, by minimising risk and maximising value in an uncertain market. The key themes include: Why a slow and steady approach can be a great choice How risks have increased in property investment over the past few years What in...2019-07-2512 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastChanges and Challenges - Series 2 Round-Up with Anna Clare Harper, Real Estate Investment Strategist, Investor, Entrepreneur and Podcast Host.Send us a textIn this episode, Anna reviews Series 2 of The Return podcast and considers the themes that have been covered on the show. A tidal wave of changes and challenges across the Political, Economic, Social, Technological and Legal landscape has hit small and medium residential property investors hard. Anna talks about how she and many other property businesses and investors have changed their approaches in recent times to adapt to the opportunities that are available now. Anna also gives a sneak peek at what’s coming up in Series 3. The key...2019-07-1109 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastKnowing The Market – Anna Clare Harper talks to Lucian Cook, Head of UK Residential Research at Savills and one of the country’s most respected UK housing market commentators.Send us a textIn this episode, Anna and Lucian discuss how the Prime and Mainstream UK residential markets have been affected by recent change and uncertainty. They look at the data Savills uses to gain market insight and what the future holds for property investors. Lucian also shares some great advice for private investors and provides context to current fragile market sentiment.Highlights include: How Prime and Mainstream residential market drivers differ What house prices will look like over the next five years Why private investors must understand competition from institutions How Brexit...2019-06-2724 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastLeading the Crowd – Mike Bristow, CEO and Co-Founder of CrowdProperty, the UK’s leading peer-to-peer (P2P) property lender talks to Anna Clare HarperSend us a textIn this episode, Anna and Mike discuss how P2P lending is supporting small and medium-sized developers to meet the UK’s housing needs. Mike shares his thoughts on how quality data plus human expertise can inform better decision making by lenders and explains why Alternative Finance will simply become mainstream finance over the next few years.Highlights include: How peer-to-peer lending solves both lender and borrower problems Best practice approaches to balancing risk and reward How and why P2P for property will continue to grow over the coming years...2019-06-1319 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastDevelopment for Small Investors – Anna Clare Harper talks to Nicole Bremner, Property Developer, Investor and Founder of East Eight and London Central DevelopmentsSend us a textIn this episode, Anna and Nicole discuss the changing face of development for small and medium-sized property investors. Nicole gives some great advice for property investors thinking about going into development and shares why she has diversified her investments into sectors other than property in recent years.Highlights include: How Nicole started out in property development Why development has become a very risky strategy in recent years What small developers need to know to sleep well at nightResources:LI: Nicole B...2019-05-3020 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastInvesting in the future of construction - Apprenticeships with Paul Ruddick and Anna Clare HarperSend us a textIn this episode, Anna Clare Harper finds out about construction apprenticeships in London with Paul Ruddick, Co-founder of K10, London’s largest construction-specific Apprenticeship Training Programme (ATA). Anna and Paul are joined by Peter Bannister, Senior Apprenticeship Programme Manager and George, an apprentice Site Manager on the scheme. Anna and Paul discuss why apprenticeships are vital to address the current construction skills crisis, which is a factor limiting the supply of new buildings. Peter explains how K10’s approach offers a win/win solution for contractors and apprentices and George outlines how th...2019-05-1628 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastThrough the Lender’s Lens - Anna Clare Harper talks to Ben Barbanel, Head of Debt Finance at OakNorth, a leading UK business challenger bank providing business and property loans to SMEsSend us a textIn this episode, Anna and Ben discuss OakNorth’s approach to lending and how they use a combination of data-driven and human decision-making processes. They look at how challenger banks are addressing the finance issues experienced by property investors and developers and why OakNorth’s loan book currently stands at £2bn and rising, with continuing strong demand. Ben also shares some great advice for beginner investors and explains why there’s plenty of reason for optimism in the face of uncertainty.Highlights include: Why property investors need to professionalise and learn t...2019-05-0217 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastWhat ordinary property investors can learn from institutions - Alexandra Thur, Founding Partner of Multi-Billion Dollar Real Estate Investment Businesses, and Anna Clare HarperSend us a textIn this episode, Anna Clare Harper finds out why institutional investors are increasingly investing in residential property and what small and medium sized investors and business owners can learn from their approach with Alexandra Thur, Director of Willow Isle Capital, Partner and Investment Director of Castelnau Estates and Founding Partner of two Multi-Billion Dollar Real Estate Investment Businesses.Anna and Alexandra examine who institutional investors are and how they differ from SME investors in some surprising ways. Alexandra gives a great overview of ground rent investment and the appeal of this...2019-03-2946 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastTackling Tax. Anna Clare Harper talks to Tony Gimple, Founder of the UK’s leading tax and estate planning consultants for landlordsSend us a textIn this episode, Anna Clare Harper discusses the impact - and opportunities - created by recent tax changes for property investors of all sizes with Tony Gimple, Founding Director of Less Tax 4 Landlords.Anna and Tony explore how tax changes have been used as an instrument to professionalise the UK property sector. They also cover how individual and institutional investors can still find great returns, by shifting to a long-term focus.Highlights include: How Section 24 is impacting landlords. Why being a passive landlord is no longer a viable...2019-03-1416 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastBeyond Beige – Anouska Tamony and Anna Clare Harper discuss getting better returns through interior designSend us a textIn this episode, Anna Clare Harper finds out how interior design can increase Return On Investment for developers, investors, in fact anyone selling or renting a property, with the Founder of Award-winning London Design Studio, Anouska Tamony Designs.Anna and Anouska explore why interior design is important, especially in a stagnating market. They also cover the importance of knowing your target market and where to concentrate your efforts for maximum impact if you have a limited budget. Anouska explains how involving a professional designer can help to speed up property sales and even...2019-02-2824 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastThe Perfect Fit – Modular construction with Anna Clare Harper and Paul RuddickSend us a textIn this episode, Anna Clare Harper discusses the benefits of modular construction with Paul Ruddick, MD of the UK’s leading modular construction design and build contractor, Reds10.Anna and Paul explore what modular construction is and how the technology can boost build quality, while reducing cost and build time. They also cover Paul’s passion for training young people to address the UK’s construction skills shortage and why modular construction is the perfect fit in a time of uncertainty and increased regulation.Highlights include: Modular co...2019-02-2828 min
The Return: Property & Investment PodcastProfits, problems and planning in the UK property market, with Anna Clare Harper and planning expert & property developer, Paul HiggsSend us a textIn this episode, Anna discusses the commercial reality in the property development space and the dynamics around the UK’s planning system with chartered planning and development surveyor and founder of an award-winning multi-million-pound development company, Paul Higgs.The episode covers the reality behind the UK’s planning system and the potential problems regarding its application, in theory, the opportunities planning opens for investors and property developers. It looks at modern methods of construction as a potential solution to the housing shortage in the UK, land banking and whether it truly exists, and g...2019-02-2823 min