Michelle Cairns is a successful property investor and a business partner at Your Property Network (YPN). With a diverse portfolio that includes flats, HMOs, and single lets, Michelle has mastered the art of creative deal structures, specialising in lease options and vendor finance. Having interviewed over 350 property industry experts, launched five training communities, and co-created the sold-out Property Entrepreneur Summit, she is a wealth of knowledge in property investing.
In this article, we’ll explore Michelle’s unique approach to property investment, focusing on how to create deals that seem invisible to others. Michelle shares her strategies for spotting opportunities, asking the right questions, and leveraging creative solutions to turn difficult situations into successful investments.
Michelle emphasises how education played a critical role in her success. After reading “Rich Dad Poor Dad”, she realised the value of investing in property and knew she needed a backup plan for her teaching career. Attending networking meetings and mastermind programs fast-tracked her property journey, allowing her to generate £250,000 in cash flow within 12 months. Michelle urges property investors to continuously educate themselves, as this knowledge is crucial in identifying and capitalising on deals others might overlook.
"Education has been a huge driver and really has fast-tracked everything that I’ve done in my property portfolio."
Michelle stresses the importance of knowing your personal resources - whether it’s time, money, or experience - before deciding on a deal. She advises investors to look holistically at each opportunity and ensure the deal matches their current resources and goals. A great deal for someone else may not align with what you can currently handle, and forcing yourself into an unsuitable deal could lead to frustration or failure.
"Each deal is going to be very objective. You need to match your criteria and resources to the deal."
Michelle's success lies in her ability to solve problems creatively. She shared a case study of a 10-bed HMO where she negotiated a purchase lease option by asking the simple question, “Would you be interested in selling in a few years?” This approach allowed her to secure a deal no one else saw as viable, adding significant value over time. Michelle encourages investors to ask the right questions and approach deals with a problem-solving mindset, as many lucrative opportunities are hidden in seemingly difficult situations.
"Asking the right questions can make you money and help you create a deal where one didn’t exist before."
In conclusion, Michelle Cairns' approach to property investment showcases the power of creativity, problem-solving, and continuous education. By asking the right questions and leveraging unique strategies like lease options, vendor finance, and investor partnerships, she has transformed ordinary deals into extraordinary opportunities. Michelle’s career demonstrates that with the right mindset, even the most challenging properties can become highly profitable investments. Her advice to investors is clear: keep learning, think outside the box, and always be on the lookout for hidden value in every deal.
Watch the full episode with Michelle Cairns on our YouTube channel to dive deeper into her property strategies. You can also connect with Michelle Cairns on LinkedIn and explore more of her work on her Website.
Deal Finder's Corner is your weekly property talk show, proudly brought to you by Property Filter. Our mission is to equip you with the best resources by inviting expert guests to share the most up-to-date and effective strategies, tactics, and insights for finding and securing property deals across the UK.
