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From Zero Experience to Property Success: If I Can Do It, So Can You with Tammy Cardoso

From Zero Experience to Property Success: If I Can Do It, So Can You with Tammy Cardoso

From Zero Experience to Property Success: If I Can Do It, So Can You with Tammy Cardoso

Last updated: 28 Nov 2024

Table of Contents

Meet Tammy Cardoso

The leap into property investing

Learning from mistakes & building knowledge

Practical steps to securing deals

Top lessons in property investing

Financing & expanding into bigger projects

Overcoming challenges and building resilience

Conclusion: Building a successful property career, one deal at a time

Meet Tammy Cardoso

Meet Tammy Cardoso

Tammy Cardoso took a leap of faith from her corporate role in food safety and quality to the property industry—a transition that required resilience, adaptability, and the right support. As co-founder of Brick & Beam, Tammy partnered with Property Filter to grow her portfolio. Today, she shares her story, from learning the essentials of property investing to becoming a confident investor.

The leap into property investing

The leap into property investing

Tammy left her eight-year corporate role in March 2023 with a desire to be in control of her income and future. She began her investing story by selling her car, pulling together her savings, and securing her first deal. Despite the financial risks and the shift to an industry without fixed income, Tammy’s desire to succeed kept her motivated. With guidance from the Property Filter community and resources, Tammy tackled her first challenges, setting the foundation for a thriving property business.

“I thought resilience was my last name—until property taught me I had so much more to learn.” 

From her corporate experience, Tammy brought a strategic approach to property investing, ensuring every step forward counted. This mindset, combined with Property Filter’s support, allowed her to identify profitable deals and dive into projects with an edge of confidence.

Learning from mistakes & building knowledge

Learning from mistakes & building knowledge

While Tammy was eager to start, she faced many unexpected challenges in her first few projects. Without much knowledge of property development, Tammy’s journey was trial and error. Her initial project was almost derailed by an inexperienced contractor, leading to costly setbacks and delays. This experience taught Tammy the importance of careful contractor selection and the need to treat every project as a business, with every player, including contractors, regarded as part of her team.

Tammy’s top advice to new investors is to “treat contractors as employees, not friends” and verify all work, regardless of experience.

Each mistake became a valuable learning opportunity. For example, after encountering issues with building regulations and approvals, Tammy implemented stricter due diligence practices, which she carries into every project.

Key learnings from mistakes:

  • Always check the work of every contractor, regardless of experience.

  • Conduct detailed due diligence on properties, especially in auctions.

  • Communicate expectations clearly with all team members to avoid misunderstandings.

While Tammy was eager to start, she faced many unexpected challenges in her first few projects. Without much knowledge of property development, Tammy’s journey was trial and error. Her initial project was almost derailed by an inexperienced contractor, leading to costly setbacks and delays. This experience taught Tammy the importance of careful contractor selection and the need to treat every project as a business, with every player, including contractors, regarded as part of her team.

Tammy’s top advice to new investors is to “treat contractors as employees, not friends” and verify all work, regardless of experience.

Each mistake became a valuable learning opportunity. For example, after encountering issues with building regulations and approvals, Tammy implemented stricter due diligence practices, which she carries into every project.

Key learnings from mistakes:

  • Always check the work of every contractor, regardless of experience.

  • Conduct detailed due diligence on properties, especially in auctions.

  • Communicate expectations clearly with all team members to avoid misunderstandings.

Practical steps to securing deals

Practical steps to securing deals

Tammy’s systematic approach to property investing involves leveraging Property Filter to discover potential deals and build relationships with agents and former listing contacts. Her method includes using Property Filter’s platform to find motivated sellers, focusing on her investment strategy, and contacting prior listing agents to gain valuable insights on property conditions. This led her to uncover hidden issues, like structural damage or unmentioned repairs, which could affect a property's long-term value.

Tip: For those new to property investing, Property Filter can help you find motivated sellers fast, by sourcing properties based on your strategy and filtering by motivation indicators.

Through this system, Tammy sourced properties at a price point that allowed for renovations and resale at a profit. Her approach highlights the importance of building trust with agents, who often become long-term allies in sourcing properties and securing advantageous deals.

Securing a first project: The Rowell property

One of Tammy’s earliest successful deals, the Rowell project, came with unexpected challenges. She discovered it via Property Filter and, upon further investigation, found that an unmentioned roof hole was previously hidden by fresh paint. By contacting the listing agent, Tammy avoided a potentially expensive oversight, allowing her to budget accurately and complete the project within her ROI target.

Tammy’s systematic approach to property investing involves leveraging Property Filter to discover potential deals and build relationships with agents and former listing contacts. Her method includes using Property Filter’s platform to find motivated sellers, focusing on her investment strategy, and contacting prior listing agents to gain valuable insights on property conditions. This led her to uncover hidden issues, like structural damage or unmentioned repairs, which could affect a property's long-term value.

Tip: For those new to property investing, Property Filter can help you find motivated sellers fast, by sourcing properties based on your strategy and filtering by motivation indicators.

Through this system, Tammy sourced properties at a price point that allowed for renovations and resale at a profit. Her approach highlights the importance of building trust with agents, who often become long-term allies in sourcing properties and securing advantageous deals.

Securing a first project: The Rowell property

One of Tammy’s earliest successful deals, the Rowell project, came with unexpected challenges. She discovered it via Property Filter and, upon further investigation, found that an unmentioned roof hole was previously hidden by fresh paint. By contacting the listing agent, Tammy avoided a potentially expensive oversight, allowing her to budget accurately and complete the project within her ROI target.

Top lessons in property investing

Top lessons in property investing

Over time, Tammy developed a system for success, learning essential lessons that all property investors can benefit from. Below are some of the key takeaways from her experience:

  1. Always conduct thorough due diligence

Through her experience, Tammy learned that thorough due diligence can make or break a project. Before committing to a property, she reaches out to previous agents, double-checks all available property information, and verifies the condition of each structure. Her advice: “You can never do enough due diligence.”

  1. Understand your market & buyer preferences

When preparing a property for sale, Tammy learned that staging can significantly increase its appeal. Staging helps prospective buyers visualise themselves in the space, which can increase the likelihood of a sale. Tammy notes, “People buy houses with emotion. You’re selling a lifestyle, not just a property.” This emotional connection is often the factor that drives potential buyers to make an offer.

  1. Leverage community resources and mentorship

Tammy attributes much of her growth to the Property Filter community and its accessible resources. Being surrounded by experienced investors, she received support and advice that helped her avoid costly mistakes. Connecting with a supportive community enabled Tammy to gain insights beyond her own experiences, accelerating her learning curve.

Over time, Tammy developed a system for success, learning essential lessons that all property investors can benefit from. Below are some of the key takeaways from her experience:

  1. Always conduct thorough due diligence

Through her experience, Tammy learned that thorough due diligence can make or break a project. Before committing to a property, she reaches out to previous agents, double-checks all available property information, and verifies the condition of each structure. Her advice: “You can never do enough due diligence.”

  1. Understand your market & buyer preferences

When preparing a property for sale, Tammy learned that staging can significantly increase its appeal. Staging helps prospective buyers visualise themselves in the space, which can increase the likelihood of a sale. Tammy notes, “People buy houses with emotion. You’re selling a lifestyle, not just a property.” This emotional connection is often the factor that drives potential buyers to make an offer.

  1. Leverage community resources and mentorship

Tammy attributes much of her growth to the Property Filter community and its accessible resources. Being surrounded by experienced investors, she received support and advice that helped her avoid costly mistakes. Connecting with a supportive community enabled Tammy to gain insights beyond her own experiences, accelerating her learning curve.

Financing & expanding into bigger projects

Financing & expanding into bigger projects

Tammy’s financing strategy is a mix of private investors, bridging finance, and personal savings. By combining these sources, Tammy was able to grow her portfolio without risking overextension. To make financing viable, Tammy maintains a high ROI threshold on each project, ensuring that every deal meets her minimum profit margins.

“It’s not about doing many deals but doing the right deals.”

With each project, Tammy applies rigorous criteria to confirm its profitability before proceeding. For instance, when buying properties to convert into Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), she runs detailed calculations to confirm they meet her ROI and cash flow requirements. This disciplined approach is central to her success and one she encourages all investors to adopt.

Case example: Securing finance for HMOs

Tammy’s first HMO investment required bridging finance due to the property’s urgent availability. By working with a reliable broker and leveraging her knowledge of refinancing, Tammy secured the necessary funding, allowing her to complete the renovation and establish a steady cash flow. In the end, the property became a valuable asset, yielding positive cash flow and long-term equity growth.

Tammy’s financing strategy is a mix of private investors, bridging finance, and personal savings. By combining these sources, Tammy was able to grow her portfolio without risking overextension. To make financing viable, Tammy maintains a high ROI threshold on each project, ensuring that every deal meets her minimum profit margins.

“It’s not about doing many deals but doing the right deals.”

With each project, Tammy applies rigorous criteria to confirm its profitability before proceeding. For instance, when buying properties to convert into Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), she runs detailed calculations to confirm they meet her ROI and cash flow requirements. This disciplined approach is central to her success and one she encourages all investors to adopt.

Case example: Securing finance for HMOs

Tammy’s first HMO investment required bridging finance due to the property’s urgent availability. By working with a reliable broker and leveraging her knowledge of refinancing, Tammy secured the necessary funding, allowing her to complete the renovation and establish a steady cash flow. In the end, the property became a valuable asset, yielding positive cash flow and long-term equity growth.

Overcoming challenges and building resilience

Overcoming challenges and building resilience

While Tammy’s progress in property investing has been impressive, it hasn’t come without personal growth. The nature of property investing taught her resilience, as each project brought new challenges and tested her perseverance. Tammy believes that success in property investing isn’t just about finding the right deals—it’s about developing the grit to push through obstacles.

“This industry requires you to build resilience. If you’re committed to it, each challenge becomes a stepping stone to your growth.”

To those entering the industry, Tammy advises: “Focus on self-belief. It will help you manage setbacks, overcome imposter syndrome, and reach your goals.” Property investing, while rewarding, can be a lonely field, but surrounding yourself with a supportive community can make all the difference.

Resilience tips:

  • Celebrate every success, no matter how small, to boost your motivation.

  • Be patient with your progress, recognising that every challenge adds to your experience.

  • Don’t hesitate to ask questions and seek support from mentors or trusted colleagues in the field.

While Tammy’s progress in property investing has been impressive, it hasn’t come without personal growth. The nature of property investing taught her resilience, as each project brought new challenges and tested her perseverance. Tammy believes that success in property investing isn’t just about finding the right deals—it’s about developing the grit to push through obstacles.

“This industry requires you to build resilience. If you’re committed to it, each challenge becomes a stepping stone to your growth.”

To those entering the industry, Tammy advises: “Focus on self-belief. It will help you manage setbacks, overcome imposter syndrome, and reach your goals.” Property investing, while rewarding, can be a lonely field, but surrounding yourself with a supportive community can make all the difference.

Resilience tips:

  • Celebrate every success, no matter how small, to boost your motivation.

  • Be patient with your progress, recognising that every challenge adds to your experience.

  • Don’t hesitate to ask questions and seek support from mentors or trusted colleagues in the field.

Conclusion: Building a successful property career, one deal at a time

Conclusion: Building a successful property career, one deal at a time

Tammy’s inspiring story from corporate life to property success is filled with valuable insights and lessons. Her story highlights the importance of perseverance, learning from mistakes, and leveraging the right tools and community support to build a strong foundation. Whether you’re new to property investing or looking to refine your strategy, Tammy’s approach proves that with hard work, a clear plan, and the right support, achieving success is possible.

Property investing is a field that rewards those who are willing to push past their comfort zones and commit to continuous learning.

To learn more about Tammy’s strategies, watch her full interview on YouTube, and explore Property Filter’s Free Resources to access tools, community support, and in-depth knowledge for fast-tracking your own property investing path. Start building your own portfolio with confidence and support.

For more updates and insights on Tammy’s latest projects, visit her on LinkedIn. Discover her story, access her tips, and connect with Tammy to learn more about her strategies and accomplishments in the property industry.

Request a demo and experience firsthand how Property Filter can transform your investment process. Sign up for a 14-day free trial and start filling your pipeline with high-quality deals today!

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Stay connected!

Follow us on social media to stay updated on the latest trends, case studies, and investment strategies:

Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

Connect with like-minded investors, share experiences, ask questions, and access exclusive content.

Additional resources
Additional resources

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.

Victorian terraced houses in London featuring elegant period architecture with ornate iron balconies, white stucco ground floors, exposed brick upper levels, sash windows, decorative columns, and manicured topiary trees on the balconies, showcasing classic British residential architecture

Turn "Someday" Into "Deal Day"

Access Demo

Victorian terraced houses in London featuring elegant period architecture with ornate iron balconies, white stucco ground floors, exposed brick upper levels, sash windows, decorative columns, and manicured topiary trees on the balconies, showcasing classic British residential architecture

Turn "Someday" Into "Deal Day"

Access Demo

Victorian terraced houses in London featuring elegant period architecture with ornate iron balconies, white stucco ground floors, exposed brick upper levels, sash windows, decorative columns, and manicured topiary trees on the balconies, showcasing classic British residential architecture

Turn "Someday" Into "Deal Day"

Access Demo

Victorian terraced houses in London featuring elegant period architecture with ornate iron balconies, white stucco ground floors, exposed brick upper levels, sash windows, decorative columns, and manicured topiary trees on the balconies, showcasing classic British residential architecture

Turn "Someday" Into "Deal Day"

Access Demo

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