014 Derelict cottage conversion to holiday let

We turned a derelict cottage into a high-end holiday let — and the numbers might surprise you.

What we cover:

  • Full acquisition breakdown (£543k purchase)

  • Build cost reality (£430k+ SOW)

  • Finance costs over 10–12 months

  • Total project cost: £1.15m+

  • Conservative vs expected exit scenarios

  • 75% LTV refinance strategy

  • £36k–£42k annual net profit projections

  • 13.5% vs 29% yield explained

  • What nearly went wrong

  • Why design and positioning change everything

Our companies:

  • ZEN Stays — £1.1m annual turnover through Serviced Accommodation & Property Management

  • ZEN Properties — £1m+ assets with £500k own equity

  • ZEN Properties Podcast — real conversations on building cashflow + wealth through UK real estate

Sponsorship:

  • This episode is brought to you by ZEN Properties.

  • We develop and convert property across the UK.

  • Investors earn 11-15% annual, asset-backed.

  • Find out more: zenproperties.uk 

If you enjoyed this episode:

  • We work with investors seeking secured, asset-backed opportunities in UK property. If you’re considering deploying funds, let’s talk.

  • Get in front of motivated and high quality audience - insert your advert in the middle of the podcast by sponsoring future episode.

    • Live projects - come to one of our site tours - learn dev secrets, see how it’s done, enjoy networking and a liquid lunch after ;)

    • Completed projects - see pics, plans, real final costs of purchase, legal, planning, surveys, renovation & finance, dive into GDVs, yields & more.

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013 Master HMOs – Central Suites Style