The decision to work with a property consultant is significant. You are entrusting someone with access to your financial information, your investment goals, and potentially hundreds of thousands of pounds of transactions. Understanding exactly what to expect helps you choose the right consultant and get maximum value from the relationship.
This guide walks through the typical engagement process at Oakridge Resources, from initial conversation to ongoing portfolio management. While other consultants may operate differently, this provides a framework for evaluating any advisory relationship.
Stage One: Discovery and Goal Setting
The Initial Conversation
Every engagement begins with a discovery call, typically lasting 30-45 minutes. This conversation is free and carries no obligation. We use this time to understand your situation and assess whether we can genuinely help.
We will ask about:
Your investment objectives: Are you seeking income, capital growth, or both? What returns do you need to achieve? What is your time horizon? Are you building towards a specific goal like retirement, school fees, or financial independence?
Your financial position: What capital do you have available? What is your income and employment situation? What is your existing debt position? This information helps us understand what scale and type of investment suits your circumstances.
Your experience and comfort level: Have you invested in property before? How hands-on do you want to be? What is your risk tolerance? What keeps you awake at night when you think about property investment?
Your constraints and preferences: Are there geographic areas you prefer or want to avoid? Do you have preferences about property types? Are there ethical considerations that matter to you? What is your timeline for making an investment?
What We Assess
While you are evaluating us, we are also assessing the engagement:
- Can we genuinely help? Some clients have objectives that property investment cannot realistically achieve, or circumstances that make our service unsuitable. We would rather identify this early than waste everyone’s time.
- Is there alignment? Our approach is thorough and sometimes slow. Clients seeking quick transactions without proper diligence will be frustrated working with us.
- Are expectations realistic? If a client expects 15% yields with capital growth in prime London, we need to have a frank conversation about market reality based on current ONS market data.
Outcome of Discovery
By the end of the discovery call, we will typically recommend one of three paths:
- Proceed to formal engagement: Your objectives, circumstances, and expectations align with what we can deliver. We will outline our proposed approach and fees.
- Further discussion needed: There are aspects that require deeper exploration before we can recommend a path forward. We might suggest additional conversations or information gathering.
- Not a fit: Either your circumstances do not suit our service, or your objectives are not achievable through property investment. We will be honest about this and, where possible, suggest alternative approaches.
Stage Two: Strategy Development
Defining Your Investment Criteria
If we proceed to engagement, the first deliverable is a clear investment strategy document. This typically includes:
Investment objectives: Written statement of what you are trying to achieve, with specific targets where possible.
Property profile: The types of property that match your objectives, including location parameters, property types, size ranges, and condition requirements.
Financial parameters: Budget range, target yields, acceptable leverage levels, and any financing constraints.
Risk boundaries: What types of risk you are willing to accept and what you want to avoid. This might include avoiding certain tenant demographics, property conditions, or market types.
Success criteria: How we will measure whether an investment has succeeded. This provides accountability for both parties.
Why Strategy Matters
Without a clear strategy, property search becomes unfocused and emotional. Every attractive listing becomes a potential purchase, leading to analysis paralysis or poor decisions.
A defined strategy provides a filter. Most properties can be rejected quickly because they do not meet established criteria. The few that pass initial screening receive detailed attention. This efficiency benefits everyone.
Stage Three: Property Sourcing
How We Find Properties
Our sourcing combines multiple channels:
Market monitoring: We track new listings across major portals including Rightmove and Zoopla and local agent websites for properties matching client criteria. Automated alerts supplement manual searching.
Agent relationships: In our target markets, we have established relationships with agents who notify us of suitable properties before or alongside public marketing. These relationships take years to build and provide genuine advantage.
Off-market sources: Some properties never reach the open market. Probate specialists, property sourcers, developer contacts, and landlord networks all provide opportunities for clients prepared to move quickly on validated deals.
Direct approaches: For clients with specific requirements, we sometimes approach owners of suitable properties directly. This works best for unusual requirements where waiting for market availability could take years.
Initial Screening
Every property undergoes initial analysis before presentation to clients:
- Does it meet the strategic criteria?
- Do the headline numbers work?
- Are there obvious red flags in listing details or photos?
- What does initial research reveal about the location?
Most properties fail at this stage. We typically screen 20-30 properties for every one we present for serious consideration.
Property Presentation
Properties that pass initial screening are presented with:
- Full listing details and photographs
- Preliminary financial analysis including estimated yield and cashflow
- Location assessment and market context
- Our initial view on suitability and any concerns
- Recommended next steps
We do not pressure clients to proceed. If you are not interested or not ready, we continue searching. The right property is worth waiting for.
Stage Four: Due Diligence and Acquisition
Site Visit
For properties you want to pursue, we typically conduct a site visit. This includes:
- Internal inspection of the property
- External assessment and neighbouring properties
- Area walk-around to assess location quality
- Conversations with agents about vendor circumstances and motivation
We provide written reports with photographs and recommendations.
Financial Modelling
We build detailed financial models including:
- All purchase costs including stamp duty
- Realistic rental estimates with supporting evidence
- Operating cost projections
- Financing scenarios at different leverage levels and rates
- Sensitivity analysis for key variables
- Exit scenario modelling
This model becomes the basis for your investment decision. We walk through it together to ensure you understand all assumptions.
Due Diligence Coordination
We coordinate the due diligence process:
- Survey instruction and review via RICS-qualified surveyors
- Solicitor liaison on legal matters
- Planning and regulatory research via local planning portals
- Mortgage arrangement support if required
We do not replace your professional advisors but ensure the process runs smoothly and nothing falls through the cracks.
Negotiation
We handle price negotiation on your behalf, using market evidence from Land Registry data, survey findings, and our understanding of vendor motivation to achieve the best possible terms.
Stage Five: Post-Completion Support
Immediate Post-Purchase
After completion, we can assist with:
- Letting agent selection and instruction
- Refurbishment specification and contractor management if required
- Tenant finding and referencing support
- Setup of required compliance documentation including EPC, gas safety, and EICR
Ongoing Relationship
We remain available for:
- Portfolio review and optimisation advice
- Market updates and opportunity alerts
- Additional acquisition support
- Exit planning and execution when you decide to sell
Our Fee Structure
We operate on transparent, primarily success-based fees:
Strategy and sourcing: Typically a percentage of purchase price, payable on completion. This aligns our interests with yours; we only earn when we deliver.
Advisory services: Hourly or project-based fees for specific analysis, portfolio review, or consulting work not tied to acquisition.
We discuss fees upfront during the discovery process. There are no hidden charges or unexpected bills.
What Makes a Good Client Relationship
The most successful engagements share common characteristics:
Clear communication: Clients tell us when their circumstances change, when they see something interesting, or when they have concerns. We are partners, not mind readers.
Realistic expectations: Property investment takes time. Finding the right property might take months. Due diligence cannot be rushed. Returns require patience.
Trust in the process: Our thoroughness sometimes feels slow, but it protects your capital. Clients who trust the process get better outcomes than those who push for speed.
Decisiveness when appropriate: When we find the right property, good clients can make decisions. Endless deliberation loses opportunities.
Getting Started
If you are considering property investment and want professional support, the next step is simple: contact us for a discovery call. We will explore your objectives, explain our approach, and assess whether we can help.
There is no pressure and no obligation. The worst outcome is a useful conversation that clarifies your thinking. The best outcome is the beginning of a relationship that helps you build lasting wealth through property.
Ready to explore how we can help? Contact Oakridge Resources to schedule your free discovery call.
Leave a Reply