She bought a tired £474k house in Richmond… and transformed it into a £900k luxury HMO that cash-flows from day one. In one of the most expensive boroughs in London. On her first major development. In this episode of the OMZ Property Podcast, I sit down with Bernadette Anderson, Director of Go Get It Properties, who shares the real, behind-the-scenes story of how she made it happen. From walking away from a global IT career, to a last-minute property viewing that completely changed her life, to navigating the reality of contractors, pressure, threats, valuations, and major build decisions — this conversation strips away the Instagram gloss and shows what property development actually looks like. Bernadette breaks down how she created a genuinely premium six-bed HMO with beautiful en-suites, smart heating, external insulation, enhanced soundproofing, and a tenant-first design ethos that most developers overlook. We get into the true numbers, the detailed thinking, the emotional toll, and how she pulled out every pound of invested capital — plus unlocked a second development opportunity by splitting the title and preparing to build a bungalow on the rear plot. If you're interested in HMOs, development strategy, or the mindset needed to deliver high-end projects, this is one of the most honest and powerful episodes you’ll watch. Inside the episode: • How a single property viewing sparked her entire property career • Leaving a global IT role and reinventing herself as a developer • What really happened with her first contractor — and how she took control • Designing a high-spec HMO that attracts tenants at £1,175–£1,485 a room • The truth about valuations, down-valuations, appeals and exits • Soundproofing, materials, layouts, and the small details that create premium living • How she achieved a £900k valuation on her first development • The story behind her feature on Homes Under the Hammer • And the exciting next step: a new-build bungalow on the split plot Watch Bernadette on Homes Under the Hammer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002j01f/homes-under-the-hammer-series-28-patience-is-a-virtue Connect with Bernadette on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernadette-anderson-3a688aa/ If you enjoyed this episode, hit like, subscribe, and drop a comment. We’d love to hear your questions and thoughts — and we’ll cover them in future episodes.
