I am sure that you will find plenty of people willing to help you.

Whatever you decide, please do intense due diligence and do not hand any large sums over upfront.

Also, having bought my first investment property at age 23 and being a full time investor since 2004, I do not believe there is anything "passive" about investing at all!

Please remember that, when you are getting involved in property to generate income through renting out, you are a Landlord and with that comes tremendous responsibility which no one can divest you of ... not a fully managed lettings service or property management company. You carry the can.

I say this to guide you and to help you make some wise choices ... not to "rain on your parade" so I hope you can take my input in that spirit.

So - any recommendations?

platinumportfoliobuilder

similar to propertinsight in that you invest x amount of money and they build you a portfolio

they look professional, seen them at a few property shows and Nick Carlile has written the book (7 biggest mistakes of property investing and how to avid them...) so it seems he "walks the talk"

i would also like to hear from anyone who has invested with this company on their experience

I have read other threads here that seem to indicate that Platinum Portfolio (Southend) is not to be recommended...

There are three companies with Platinum in the name. They are un-related although Nick Carlilse is a former business partner of Steve Bolton.

1. Platinum Property Partners (Steve Bolton)

2. Platinum Portfolio Builder (Nick Carlisle)

3. Platinum Portfolios Southend (Mike Wild)

Hi JSS and Vanessa

I am Aran Curry (Vanessa I am one of your tribe members).

I had not seen this post before so apologies I did not reply sooner.

Vanessa - your initial response having looked at our website can not be described as flattering -it would be great to speak sometime so you can understand more of who we are.

The three companies you should be looking at JSS in my opinion are Property Insight (ourselves), Platinum (Nick Carlisle who I believe may have teamed up with Progressive) and Penton Taylor (who do things mainly through refurb). In my opinion they are the three best portfolio building companies in the UK. Each offers a very different path, but based on good solid thinking.

I have been involved in property since 1996 and do have a portfolio of over 100 properties, which produces a great income. I am passionate about property and about the opportunities it offers to people for long term growth as a long term investment.

We have lots of clients who would be delighted to speak to anyone interested in investing with us and all whom would paint a good picture.

Our main USP's are that we manage everything cradle to grave for those who want us to, we look at over 60 properties that are already a genuine 20% below market value to buy one (I dont know any other company as rigerous as this), we follow incredably strict rules in every purchase e.g.

a. We wont buy a property until we have placed a rental add and had at least 10 replies to it. (on the back of this we run 98% occupied and 95% paid)
b. We wont buy a property unless it is cash-flow positive havign paid for mortgage, maintenance, insurance, agency fees and void periods.
c. We target properties that will have goodlong term occupancy (3/4 bedroom family properties)
d. All clients keep contingency in their savings account to cover eventualities
e. Clients can be as involved or develoved as they wish
f. We source great properties, negotiate, sort finance, arrange purchase, refurbish, tenant and manage the tenancy, also providing all tax return information etc.

There are many other things that make us safe and secure. My background is from finance and we have made many mistakes in property as all investors do. what we bring to the table is all the experience from the mistakes and learnings that mean a great product and great profesionalism.

We want to work with 240 clients over the next 10-15 years to build them superb portfolios that will give them freedom and wealth. We currently have over 50 clients who have invested anywhere from £60,000-£500,000. The ripple effect of helping people do that is quite tremendous. We run an operation thats very transparent. Cleints can see exactly how we make our money and what is in it for them. One of my businesses is FSA authorised and I wish you could be for Property Advise.

There are many experienced and well known investors who do know us and will recommend us.

I am the author of "The Property Coach" which you will find on Amazon and I am sure lots of you know of or know simon Zutshi, who endorses the book. We are the portfolio building company that he recommends to his clients and many of his clients are clients of mine.

Lastly if people decide we are not the right company to work with, then you will still get massive value from the website with all the free videos and offers we make. We believe in adding loads of value in a transparent and honest way. Lots of people get benefit then and some of those people will need your service and use you.

If there is anything else you would like to know on Property Tribes I would love to share it. JSS - if you wouldl like to speak to some of our clients (we haev some clients investing as ex pats now) then I can put you in touch with them.

Kindest Regards

Aran Curry
aran.curry@propertyinsight.info

Hi Adam,

Thanks for joining the conversation and bringing clarity to your offering.

My feedback was based on your website, with no knowledge of your company, so perhaps you could consider my feedback and see if there is anything you can glean from it to make your website more of a reflection of who you are?

I strongly believe that ethical companies should do their upmost to distance themselves from the many sharks that patrol in this industry and steer clear of certain terminology.

Please forgive me for getting your name wrong Aran. In a rush ...!

Strange - the lady in the avatar photo (above) is not the gentleman identified as "Aran Curry M.D." in the Insight Property Introduction video...

(15-08-2012 07:49 PM)pilgrims Wrote:  We have adequate funds for a decent property portfolio - looking for a lively but reliable team to help us build the portfolio to provide a passive income to supplement current dismal pension.

JSS,

Let's have a discussion. Likely I can provide some guidance as to what will make sense and how best to consider the various options out there. We can chat by email, phone or what ever works for you.