James bought his first property when he was 19-years-old (Picture: Jam Press)
A 29-year-old property investor who spent his student loan buying his first home now has a portfolio worth £1.2 million.
James Coupland, from York, was inspired to get into property after living in a ‘shocking’ shared flat at university.
He spent his days off from university working instead of using up all of his student loan to cover living costs, eventually saving £6,000 – enough to cover the 10% deposit needed on a (very cheap) £53,000 house.
James believes that buying property – even now, when interest rates are at a 15-year high – is the ‘safest bet’.
In fact, he said the recent change in the market has helped him to go from owning four to seven properties in just one year.
James was inspired to get into property after living in poor conditions as a student (Picture: Jam Press/@jamesproperty_)
‘Due to interest rates rising, buyers have been panicking and the demand for property has slowed down,’ he said.
‘This has enabled me to buy more, as they’re going for much less than market value.
‘My last purchase was at an auction where only myself and one other person showed up – which is far different from before when over 50 people would show.’
James likes to ‘flip’ houses by refurbishing them to a high standard (Picture: Jam Press Vid/@jamesproperty_)
Recent research by Zoopla found that some 80% of markets in the UK saw house prices fall in 2023 compared with last year. Overall, house prices fell by 1.1% – the sharpest drop since 2009.
‘[Property is] the most rewarding asset in the world and always will be in my opinion,’ James added.
‘Always try to keep it and not look to sell on, as true wealth is created in capital over time when naturally house prices will increase.
‘Right now, this isn’t happening, but long-term, this will be the best option to maximise income.
‘One of my favourite strategies is BRR – buy, refurbish and refinance – as there’s no tax to pay at source or extra hidden costs involved, so it can be very powerful.’
He makes £35,000 a year from one rental property alone (Picture: Jam Press/@jamesproperty_)
Now, James invests in properties near universities, where he can get the most bang for his buck.
‘I invest next to a university, as there is a huge demand for student properties at the moment,’ he said.
‘They have a choice, just like me when I was a student, to either rent a room on campus for high rent or look at private housing with a better quality of living at an affordable price.
‘In turn, this creates more money than standard buy-to-let, as there’s more people paying rent as opposed to a single family, and helps students find a place they can truly call home.’
James is continuing to invest despite the rocky market (Picture: Jam Press/@jamesproperty_)
James currently earns over £35,000 (gross) per year from one of his student houses alone, but stresses that he keeps his student properties in excellent condition.
‘I strongly disagree with landlords buying up loads of properties, refurbishing them to a low standard and renting them out for a rate dependent on demand,’ he said.
‘I could do this, but I choose not to. It’s important to get educated.
‘There’s many pros and cons with property and it’s hard work, especially when things go wrong.’
James now wants to teach others to do the same (Picture: Jam Press/@jamesproperty_)
Now, James wants to share his passion with other young people through the newly launched James Property University, which is aimed at helping them to get on the property ladder themselves.
‘Property investment is not a ‘get rich quick’ scheme – it never has been,’ he said.
‘Yes, you can make very good money and you can increase your income by buying further properties.
‘I’m at the point where I am now comfortable living on the passive income I have built up over time from rent.
‘But money isn’t the best thing in the world, even though I enjoy making it, as I’ve learned to appreciate the journey because it lasts longer than time spent at the destination when a goal is achieved.
‘It’s never going to be quick or easy. But as I always say: take care of the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves.’
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‘It’s the most rewarding asset’.