From The Ground Up

Steve Doran
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Investing
  • Updated Weekly

From The Ground Up is the property investing podcast for ambitious people who want to build freedom and long-term wealth through property. Hosted by property investor and entrepreneur Steve Doran, the podcast gives practical guidance on how to start, scale and build a successful portfolio in today’s market. Expect real deal breakdowns, current market insights, property strategy and expert conversations covering buy-to-lets, HMOs, rent-to-rent, finance, tax and creating a successful property business, giving you the tools to accelerate your journey to wealth

Episodes

  1. 3d ago

    Limited Company Property Investing Explained

    Should you buy property in your personal name or through a limited company? In this episode of From The Ground Up, Steve Doran breaks down why UK property investors need to think carefully about tax, structure and long-term portfolio growth before buying their next investment. Steve explains how Section 24 changed buy-to-let investing, why personal-name landlords can end up paying tax on “phantom profit”, and how limited company property investing can protect more of your cashflow. Using a real HMO example, he shows how the difference between buying personally and through a limited company can be worth thousands of pounds per year. He also covers limited liability, personal guarantees, inheritance tax planning, Family Investment Companies, limited company mortgages and the common myths that stop investors making better decisions. To learn more about Steve Doran and property investing strategy, visit: https://stevedoran.co.uk/ KEY MOMENTS: 0:00 – Why Steve recommends limited company property investing 00:34 – Why your own home should usually stay in your personal name 01:17 – Steve’s personal experience of buying property personally 01:56 – Why investors historically bought in their personal name 03:31 – Section 24 and paying tax on phantom profit 04:39 – Steve’s free Section 24 calculator 05:14 – HMO tax example: personal name versus limited company 06:49 – How tax drag slows portfolio growth 07:28 – Limited liability and why company structure matters 07:45 – Should every property have its own limited company? 08:34 – Personal guarantees explained properly 12:22 – Family Investment Companies and inheritance planning 13:59 – Why specialist tax advice matters 14:52 – What to do if you already own property personally 15:12 – Why personal-name landlords are exposed politically 16:46 – The extra 2% tax burden on property income 16:54 – Capital gains tax risks for personal-name landlords 17:52 – Why flipping property personally can create income tax issues 18:56 – Five options for landlords who own personally 19:16 – Option 1: Sell the property and redeploy the capital 21:21 – Option 2: Keep the property in your personal name 22:17 – Option 3: Use a property management company 23:35 – Option 4: Use a rent-to-rent structure with yourself 24:51 – Option 5: Incorporate your portfolio into a limited company 26:04 – Section 162 incorporation relief explained 26:41 – HMRC v Ramsay and the 20-hour property business test 27:12 – Stamp duty, linked transactions and non-residential rates 28:10 – Partnership structures and Schedule 15 relief 29:08 – Refinancing when moving property into a company 30:29 – Myth-busting limited company mortgage rates

    32 min

  2. 3d ago

    Building an HMO Portfolio With None of His Own Money: How This Former Bodyguard Created The Perfect Investment Model

    Can you really build a property portfolio using none of your own money? In this episode of From The Ground Up, Steve Doran sits down with property investor and Academy coach Andrew Clayton to break down exactly how Andrew has completed six buy, refurbish, refinance HMO projects in 18 months, with four more deals currently active. Andrew shares how he went from working as a bodyguard to running franchise businesses to building a serious HMO portfolio using private investment. Steve and Andrew unpack the real numbers behind one of Andrew’s deals: a £125,000 auction property being converted into a six-bed HMO with expected annual rental income of around £54,000. They also discuss landlord tax, Section 24, Renters Reform, HMO compliance, private finance, council contracts, local authority housing, stress testing deals and how to build property income without relying only on your own savings. They also discuss one of Andrew’s most powerful strategies: working directly with the local authority to provide high-quality HMO accommodation for vulnerable people. This creates a strong business model with solid profit margins, reduced void risk and a meaningful social impact. If you want to understand how HMO investing, BRR strategy and private finance work in the real world, this episode is packed with practical insight. Want to learn more and find out how to transform your financial future in just 2 days - connect with Steve via https://stevedoran.co.uk/home Key Moments: 0:00 Andrew’s local authority housing strategy 02:52 Why property education changed everything 04:57 From Subway franchise to property investing 08:39 Early landlord mistakes 10:12 Why landlords are exiting the HMO market 16:21 Buying a £165k auction property for £125k 18:52 How to work out investment ROI figures from the end value 21:30 The numbers behind six-bed HMO deals 23:02 Funding property investment deals with private investment 33:43 Stress testing property deals at 10% interest 37:24 Working directly with the local authority 45:19 How to raise private finance 53:30 Building lifestyle income and legacy 56:33 Teaching children to buy assets first 59:36 The role of partnership, property education and expert support in building wealth

    1h 4m

  3. 3d ago ·  Bonus

    Welcome to From The Ground Up

    From The Ground Up is the property investing podcast for ambitious people who want to build freedom and long-term wealth through property. Hosted by property investor and entrepreneur Steve Doran, the podcast gives practical guidance on how to start, scale and build a successful portfolio in today’s market. Expect real deal breakdowns, current market insights, property strategy and expert conversations covering buy-to-lets, HMOs, rent-to-rent, finance, tax and creating a successful property business, giving you the tools to accelerate your journey to wealth.

    4 min

  4. Trailer

    TRAILER: From The Ground Up (Launching 2nd June 2026)

    From The Ground Up is the property investing podcast for ambitious people who want to build freedom and long-term wealth through property. Hosted by property investor and entrepreneur Steve Doran, the podcast gives practical guidance on how to start, scale and build a successful portfolio in today’s market. Expect real deal breakdowns, current market insights, property strategy and expert conversations covering buy-to-lets, HMOs, rent-to-rent, finance, tax and creating a successful property business, giving you the tools to accelerate your journey to wealth.

    1 min

Trailer

About

From The Ground Up is the property investing podcast for ambitious people who want to build freedom and long-term wealth through property. Hosted by property investor and entrepreneur Steve Doran, the podcast gives practical guidance on how to start, scale and build a successful portfolio in today’s market. Expect real deal breakdowns, current market insights, property strategy and expert conversations covering buy-to-lets, HMOs, rent-to-rent, finance, tax and creating a successful property business, giving you the tools to accelerate your journey to wealth

Information

  • Creator
    Steve Doran
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Steve Doran
  • Show Website
    From The Ground Up

You Might Also Like