
Hosted by Rob Bence and Rob Dix from The Property Hub · EN

Sentiment is at rock bottom. But average discounts are falling. That makes no sense, until you understand where the real deals are hiding... We’re currently seeing some of the best discounts we’ve ever come across. So, how are we finding them? In this episode, Rob & Rob reveal four distinct strategies for landing a genuine deal in today’s market, laying out exactly where the right opportunities are and how to grab them before the window closes. (01:00) News story of the week (03:15) What record low sentiment and average discounts shrinking mean for your negotiating strategy (09:57) How to turn the auction market to your advantage (17:36) Why new-build developers are under more pressure than at any point in the last decade (23:26) Why waiting for the market to “feel better” is the exact opposite of what you should be doing (25:19) Hub Extra Links mentioned: What the King’s Speech said about leasehold reform Want to use AI without Wi-Fi? Try Locally AI on your device Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts - it really helps others find us! Sign up for our free weekly newsletter, Property Pulse Find out more about Property Hub Invest

Mortgage rates have spiked, but is that a reason to pause your investment plans? Plus, what should you do when a deal falls through and rates are climbing? We answer these questions on today’s episode of Ask Rob & Rob. (00:43) Sam’s worried about rising mortgage rates - will this be a temporary spike and is now the right time to invest? Rob B looks at what makes this a buyer’s market and the real cause behind the spike. (03:51) Matthew’s deal fell through after the vendor refused to negotiate, and rising rates have left him wondering - should he sit tight? Rob D explains why now’s the time to push harder, not switch off. Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts - it really helps others find us! Sign up for our free weekly newsletter, Property Pulse Got a question? Send it in here Find out more about Property Hub Invest

There’s so much happening in the UK property market right now, making it harder than ever to really understand what’s going on behind the headlines. So where does it leave you as a property investor? Rob & Rob break down the most important property stories of the month, revealing what's really going on beneath the surface. From 700 rental properties being listed each day, to the widening north-south divide, this is a month where the data and the mood couldn't be further apart. (00:55) Why the Bank of England held rates, and what a shock vote for an increase tells us about where things are heading (04:25) The house price numbers that surprised even Rob & Rob (10:42) Rent growth is at its slowest since 2022, so why should landlords expect that to change soon? (15:10) Mortgage rates creeping up despite the base rate not moving – but there’s a smart play you can make right now (17:19) Leasehold reform, Scotland’s tenant-first proposal, and the £400m it’ll take to set up a new tax (21:51) Hub Extra Links mentioned: Bank of England held rates at 3.75% Listen to Rob & Rob’s episode on the silent crash Watch Company Retreat on Amazon Prime Video House prices: Nationwide’s House Price Index Zoopla’s North-South divide widens Monthly RICS survey results Rents: ONS Price Index of private rents Savills: 254,000 former rentals listed for sale in 12 months Renting is now cheaper than buying for the first time since June 2025 Mortgages: Average landlord mortgage rate increases in 3 months Policy and regulation: Housing Minister backs off banning new leasehold flats SNP pledges renters first refusal to buy when landlords sell Mansion tax to cost Treasury £380m to set up Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts - it really helps others find us! Sign up for our free weekly newsletter, Property Pulse Find out more about Property Hub Invest

Can a cheap commuter town actually be a smart investment? Plus, what's the best way to read Rob's latest book? We answer your questions in this week's episode of Ask Rob & Rob. (00:40) Scott's bought a house in Mansfield. But can commuter towns with low entry points make for smart investments? Rob B explains the ripple effect happening across the country. (03:51) Pierre's just picked up the second edition of How to Be a Landlord. Should he read it from cover to cover, or dip in and out? Rob D looks at how to get the most out of his latest edition. Links Mentioned: How To Be A Landlord (Second Edition) Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts - it really helps others find us! Sign up for our free weekly newsletter, Property Pulse Got a question? Send it in here Find out more about Property Hub Invest

Flats vs. Houses? It’s one of the most heated debates in property investing. For years, the consensus has been to avoid flats. But what if the reasons investors turned against them no longer apply? Rob & Rob challenge the anti-flat mindset and explore why the ground has shifted without most investors noticing. The cladding crisis, COVID and spiralling service charges have turned investors away from flats. But with those factors fading, they unpack where the opportunity is for investors willing to go against the crowd. (01:13) News story of the week (03:26) Do the common assumptions against flats still hold up, and what do flats offer that other properties can’t? (10:04) The major events that turned investors against flats and the changes since that have gone unnoticed (17:05) Is the price gap between flats and houses here to stay? (18:24) Four non-negotiables to check before buying any flat (24:06) Hub Extra Links mentioned: CityAM: Downing Street rules out rent freeze Check out Speeed’s YouTube channel Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts - it really helps others find us! Sign up for our free weekly newsletter, Property Pulse Find out more about Property Hub Invest

It’s time for your weekly dose of Ask Rob & Rob - let's get stuck into two new questions! (00:42) Fatai is looking to sell up, but with so much global uncertainty, is now really the right time? Rob B looks at what history tells us about timing the market during periods of instability. (04:35) David wants to jump straight into two student HMOs, but is it wise considering he’s never ventured into this market before? Rob D explains why going all-in could backfire, and why taking a more measured approach might pay off. Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts - it really helps others find us! Sign up for our free weekly newsletter, Property Pulse Got a question? Send it in here Find out more about Property Hub Invest

Mortgage rates are moving, and if you’re an investor trying to work out what to do next, you’re not alone. Rob & Rob bring in expert, Nick from Framework Mortgages to get straight answers on what’s happening with rates, where they’re likely heading and what investors should be doing right now. This episode will get you up to speed on the impact of swap rates, the Renters’ Rights Act, pressure of a global conflict, and more. (01:01) News story of the week (04:48) What swap rates are, why they matter more than interest rates and where they sit right now (10:21) What will trigger lenders rates to rise and fall (13:46) Whether the Renters’ Rights Act will impact mortgage stress tests and lending criteria (16:19) Your best options if your fixed rate is about to end (18:16) Nick's crystal ball prediction for where rates will land by late summer, and how to time your next investment around it (21:47) Hub Extra Links mentioned: Average new seller asking prices rise by 0.8% Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts - it really helps others find us! Sign up for our free weekly newsletter, Property Pulse Find out more about Property Hub Invest

It’s Tuesday! Which means it’s time for another episode of Ask Rob & Rob. (00:41) Luke's bought his ninth property, but the valuer deemed it unfit to live in. He’s been told bridging loans are now the standard route but is that his only option? Rob B explains how to turn a lending headache into a stronger deal and why this is a perfect situation for negotiation. (03:51) Alex has built a portfolio of four properties, but the condition of his health has made him think about legacy planning. How can he pass his portfolio onto his family? Rob D walks through a smart process for getting your ducks in a row before speaking to a tax adviser. Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts - it really helps others find us! Sign up for our free weekly newsletter, Property Pulse Got a question? Send it in here Find out more about Property Hub Invest

Think it doesn't matter where you buy your investment property? The numbers say otherwise... Rob & Rob use real world examples, comparing two investors who start with the same £100,000 but buy in different regions. Using Land Registry data, Zoopla yields and Savills forecasts, they show how one investor ends up £83,000 ahead after just 10 years, simply because of where they chose to buy. If you've ever felt the pull to invest close to home, this one might change your mind. (01:03) News story of the week (02:52) Why investing close to home could be costing you tens of thousands (04:49) The data that blows apart the “growth in the south, yield in the north” myth (07:12) How affordability ratios reveal where the real opportunity lies right now (09:51) A 10-year worked example comparing two investors with the same starting cash – and the huge gap that location alone creates (13:35) Getting over the emotional barrier of investing away from home (18:24) Hub Extra Links mentioned: Share of flipped homes falls to decade low Zoopla’s UK’s highest yielding buy-to-let hotspots ONS private rent and house prices Use Google Gemini as a search engine Prefer taking in information through audio? Use Google NotebookLM Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts - it really helps others find us! Sign up for our free weekly newsletter, Property Pulse Find out more about Property Hub Invest

Welcome back to Ask Rob & Rob! (00:41) Michelle’s considering buying a fourth property to add to her portfolio but knows she’s probably missing out on tax efficiencies. She’s wondering how she can find the right person to help her. Rob D gives a three-tiered approach to sourcing the right professional, and how to use AI tools to sift through forums and find specialists. (04:01) Frank’s looking into a limited company but has apprehensions. He’s trying to keep his income below the 40% tax rate and is wondering if this is a good strategy? Rob B advises why staying below the 40% threshold is a short-term fix that won’t last and discusses why Northern Ireland’s growth makes up for the higher costs in the meantime. Enjoy the show? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts - it really helps others find us! Sign up for our free weekly newsletter, Property Pulse Got a question? Send it in here Find out more about Property Hub Invest