A Lisburn man who has started a new property venture has given us an insight into some local homes he has flipped.
Marty McAuley, one of the original founders of Kaizen Print, Brand & Digital back in 2011, who recently sold the business in 2020, now finds himself knocking down walls and bringing old homes back to life.
The creator of Lofty Property Investments Ltd has stepped into the world of both flipping houses for profit alongside growing a buy to let portfolio.
Read more: Inside five-bed period home on the market for £350K with stunning beach views
Marty told Belfast Live : "I complete 40% of the project myself and the other 60% would be bringing in specific trades required.
"[The] hardest part for me is the pace at which things move for example construction work can be slow, conveyancing can be slow, I like things moving fast. Good business people move at pace in my opinion.
"The best part has to be the financial rewards and the enjoyment you get from bringing an old lifeless home back to life."
The Lisburn man is currently on his eighth project, and says the timeframe from the start to completing a house flip can range from two months to 14 months.
The 38-year-old said: "For example, a quick turnaround on a buy-to-let project which didn't need much more than a kitchen, bathroom and general tidy up took two months whereas a bungalow which I converted the garage into a fourth bedroom and ensuite, which needed everything from a rewire, replumb etc, and which had a buyer pull out due to their own financial circumstances, took 14 months before we eventually realised the profits."
The businessman added how he feels when a project is complete and said: "Delighted, and excited to get it on the market to see what interest it receives. You can't realise the profits until the money is in the bank so always keen to push on at this stage."
He is currently working on a flip project in Finaghy.
Marty added: "[It's] an end terraced three-bed which will make a perfect home for a first-time buyer. Following this I have an old four-bed Victorian home which is going through conveyancing, super excited for this one."
The Lisburn man said his wife has "a keen eye on all interior designs, ensuring the homes are staged and ready to walk into".
Marty explained what his new business does and said: "Lofty Properties has three aims...
"1) Investing with its own company funds.
"2) Working closely with investors, who invest in Lofty property projects to give them a return on their money.
"3) Educating others who are looking to pursue a side hustle in property investing."
He added: "The facts are that property over the last 100+ years has grown in value. There are numerous different property strategies but most people struggle with taking that first step, cautious in case it’s the wrong move, and through my social channels and education, I plan to help people make the right move.
"Because not only do you have the financial gains that come from property but also it’s a highly rewarding process."
You can follow Marty’s journey on Instagram, @lofty_properties, where he says he will continue to bring you before and after pictures along with tips on how to get started on your own journey.
All photos in collages were taken by PHANTOM Photography.
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