Making money from property: find out how one investor earns a living and teaches others to do it too

Helping to change lives for the better has become something of a passion for a millionaire businessman who tours the UK teaching his methods to budding entrepreneurs.

At other times, property investor Samuel Leeds travels much further afield to spend time and money giving hope to people living in impoverished parts of Africa.

The activities both at home and abroad are just part of Samuel's busy life. He also writes books, runs several property-based businesses and shares videos on his YouTube channel as well as being a husband and father-of-three.

Still in his early 30s, Samuel wasn't automatically destined for great things. He grew up on a Walsall council estate and his parents separated when he was seven. He didn't do well at school and wasn't the sort of student who expected to go to university. When he left with fewer than a handful of GCSEs, learning a trade seemed the most practical path to take.

Working as a plasterer

After school, he trained as a plasterer and also worked with his father who was an entertainer with a flair for magic tricks. Both roles brought in money for the teenager but he knew that his earning power could only go so far.

The plastering jobs took Samuel to different properties and he began to get an inkling of how people sometimes improved or converted accommodation to generate income.

His stepfather Tim had also begun dabbling in property investments after paying off the mortage on their family home and Samuel realised there were profits to be made. He reluctantly stopped working with his dad and decided instead to focus on learning more about commercial activities.

Evening classes

He studied for an NVQ in business at night school and read numerous books about financial literacy and high achievers, taking inspiration from the experts. He also learned a lot from a property trainer thanks to an introduction from Tim.

Stints working for an estate agent and managing people's properties followed alongside networking to learn from those already in the business.

At the age of just 17, Samuel felt confident enough to buy his first investment property, a house on his own stomping ground of Birmingham. His plan was to negotiate a cheap price, improve its value and refinance to pull out the original capital. The property was bought in Tim's name and the plan paid off.

Buying and refurbishing

Samuel continued along the same lines when buying other houses, and he still teaches that basic approach today in the shape of his buy, refurbish and refinance strategy.

Now, 15 years on, Samuel has added considerably to his knowledge and experience and is happy to share his secrets of success with the aim of helping other people to flourish in the industry.

He also appreciates the benefits that financial freedom brings, not least having the time and money to devote to charitable causes.

Among the projects he has financed and overseen in Africa are repairs to ramshackle Ugandan schools and a borehole installation in Zambia to spare children the daily ordeal of walking miles to fetch clean water. He has also set up a fund for emergency surgery in Uganda after receiving hospital treatment there himself.

Rent-to-rent strategy

Among the crash courses he’s delivering this year is one focusing on deriving a regular income from rental properties.

The rent-to-rent approach is so-called because it involves renting accommodation from a landlord and then letting it out to other tenants. Homes are usually let to several people at once in order to generate enough income to pay the rent and other expenses but also to make a regular monthly profit.

Potential investors, or anyone who simply wants to find out more, can join Samuel later this month when he presents a session in Birmingham.

Avoiding legal pitfalls

The event will cover a variety of aspects relating to rentals and particularly to HMOs (houses in multiple occupation). Attendees will learn about the all-important laws which govern that type of property to avoid any legal pitfalls as well as tips on finding the right areas to invest.

Samuel will also search for live deals on the day to demonstrate his strategies in action.

Book a ticket online

If you want to discover more, you can buy a ticket for the event on Saturday, November 25 at a cost of just £1 (although late cancellation/no show fees apply). It takes place at the Macdonald Burlington Hotel, Burlington Arcade, 126 New Street, B2 4JQ.

For further information or to reserve a place, visit the website

Disclaimer: This article is paid for, sponsored content and does not reflect the views of the Daventry Express or National World. People should always seek independent advice in matters of finance and investments.