Inside Property

CityRise

Inside Property takes you behind the scenes of the UK property market. From investment strategies and emerging hotspots to planning, design and development, CityRise sits down with the people shaping the industry. Honest conversations, practical and expert insight - designed to help you navigate property investment with confidence.

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    From Poland to Property Developer: Building a UK Portfolio from Zero with Dawid Dowbusz

    🎙️ Episode 4 of Inside Property is here. This time we sit down with Dawid Dowbusz, property investor, entrepreneur and founder of the Dowbusz Group, for one of the most honest and inspiring conversations we've had on the podcast. Dawid arrived in the UK from Poland with just £300 in his pocket, no job lined up, and nowhere decent to sleep. What followed is a masterclass in resilience — from warehouse worker to building a multi-company property group spanning HMOs, development, lettings, sourcing and education. Recorded in Sheffield, this episode covers everything from the realities of HMO investing and commercial conversions to the personal setbacks — financial and otherwise — that nearly derailed it all. ✔️ Arriving in the UK with £300 and a bedbug-ridden HMO room✔️ Walking miles to knock on warehouse doors and land a contract job✔️ How Rich Dad Poor Dad unlocked the mindset shift that changed everything✔️ Building an HMO portfolio generating £15–25K net profit per property✔️ Leaving his job — and why he told his manager 8 months in advance✔️ Growing a multi-company group from a single buy-to-let✔️ The £450K fraud that nearly brought everything down✔️ Commercial-to-residential conversions and the traps no one talks about✔️ Raising £900K from the community to fund a new-build development✔️ Building detached houses during the pandemic — and the creative solutions it took✔️ Current projects: a 20-unit block of flats in Scarcroft and development in Sheffield✔️ Why Dawid believes UK property leverage is one of the greatest tools in the world This episode is perfect for: 🏠 Property investors at any stage of their journey🏗️ Developers interested in HMOs, new builds and commercial conversions💼 Entrepreneurs looking for a genuine rags-to-portfolio story📈 Anyone wanting an honest look at the risks and realities of property🌍 Immigrants and newcomers building a future in the UK 👍 Like the video💬 Drop your biggest takeaway in the comments🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations with people inside the industry #PropertyPodcast #UKProperty #HMOInvesting #PropertyDevelopment #PropertyInvestor #NewBuildDevelopment #InsideProperty #PropertyMindset #ImmigrantEntrepreneur #RealEstateUK #BTL #BuildToLet

    53 min
  2. Apr 23

    The Reality of UK Planning & Development with Chloe

    🎙️ Episode 3 of Inside Property is here. This time we sit down with Chloe Parmenter, Director and Shareholder at Urbana, to break down the reality of planning in the UK and what it actually takes to get developments from concept to construction. From her early inspiration growing up around development sites to becoming a director at a leading planning consultancy, Chloe shares a candid look at the challenges, bottlenecks, and opportunities shaping the property industry today. This episode dives into everything from planning reform and viability struggles to the rise of Build-to-Rent and office-to-resi conversions. ✔️ Chloe’s journey from geography student to Director at Urbana✔️ Early career lessons working with housebuilders and planning teams✔️ Why relationships with councils are critical to getting schemes approved✔️ The biggest planning bottlenecks in the UK right now✔️ How viability impacts whether developments actually get built✔️ The truth about the Gateway system and its impact post-Grenfell✔️ Office-to-residential conversions and permitted development changes✔️ The rise of Build-to-Rent (BTR) and large-scale regeneration✔️ Why some developments never make it to site✔️ What needs to change in the UK planning system This episode is perfect for:🏠 Property developers navigating planning🏗️ Construction & real estate professionals💼 Investors looking to understand development risk📈 Anyone interested in UK housing and regeneration🏙️ Those curious about planning, policy, and city growth 👍 Like the video💬 Let us know your thoughts on the UK planning system🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations with people inside the industry #PropertyPodcast #UKPlanning #PropertyDevelopment #BuildToRent #RealEstateUK #SheffieldProperty #PlanningPermission #PropertyInvesting #InsideProperty #UrbanDevelopment

    38 min
  3. Mar 17

    "How I Built a Property Development Business" with Matt Catherall

    🎙️ Episode 2 of Inside Property is here. This time we’re up in Sheffield with Matt Catherall from Catherall Developments, sitting down to talk through his journey from quantity surveying into full-scale property development, and what it really takes to build and scale a development business.From first deals to listed building conversions, Matt shares a honest look at the challenges, risks, and decision-making behind some seriously impressive projects. Recorded at Catherall Developments' new office, this episode covers everything from starting out in the industry to managing multiple developments, building the right team, and delivering high-quality schemes that actually stand the test of time. ✔️ How Matt got started in property (and why he chose development) ✔️ The reality of balancing work, study, and career progression ✔️ Lessons from first developments ✔️ Turning a distressed building into a successful rental asset ✔️ Managing multiple projects and building a trusted team ✔️ Insights into Grade II listed conversions and planning challenges ✔️ Why attention to detail and design makes all the difference ✔️ The importance of long-term thinking and repeat buyers ✔️ What’s next for Catherall Developments This episode is perfect for: 🏠 Aspiring property developers 🏗️ Construction professionals looking to move into development 💼 Investors wanting insight into real projects and numbers 📈 Anyone interested in scaling a property business 🏙️ Those curious about UK development 👍 Like the video 💬 Let us know your thoughts on development vs investing 🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations with people inside the industry #PropertyPodcast #PropertyDevelopment #UKProperty #RealEstateUK #SheffieldProperty #PropertyInvesting #DevelopersLife #InsideProperty #BuyToLetUK #ConstructionLife

    19 min
  4. Feb 18

    Apartment Living, Community & Property Development

    🎙️ Episode 1 of Inside Property is here. Starting off on the road, Sam sits down with Mark from Callisto Homes to discuss the realities of modern property development, apartment living, and how housing trends across the UK - particularly in the South East - are changing fast. Recorded over a pint, this candid conversation explores everything from countryside living near London to high-end refurbishments, design philosophy, rental demand, and why apartments are no longer a “second choice”, but a lifestyle decision. ✔️ Why apartment living is booming across the UK ✔️ The shift from houses to community-focused living ✔️ How modern developments are designed to attract tenants ✔️ Why renters often prefer apartments over houses ✔️ The true value of locations near London ✔️ High-end refurbishment insights from luxury projects ✔️ How design choices impact rental demand and property value ✔️ The role of community in mental wellbeing and housing choices ✔️ Why developers must move beyond “box-standard” units This podcast is perfect for: 🏠 Property investors 🏗️ Developers and industry professionals 💼 Landlords and buy-to-let investors 👨‍👩‍👧 Buyers considering apartments vs houses 🚆 London commuters relocating to the South East 📈 Anyone interested in UK property trends 👍 Like the video💬 Comment your thoughts on apartment living vs houses🔔 Subscribe for more property insights, development updates, and investor advice #PropertyPodcast #UKProperty #ApartmentLiving #PropertyDevelopment #BuyToLetUK #RealEstatePodcast #KentProperty #LondonCommuter #PropertyInvesting #LandlordLife

    24 min

About

Inside Property takes you behind the scenes of the UK property market. From investment strategies and emerging hotspots to planning, design and development, CityRise sits down with the people shaping the industry. Honest conversations, practical and expert insight - designed to help you navigate property investment with confidence.