Speakers sharing stories and guidance will include a Dundee couple who swapped policing for property.

Marc Lorente, who retired from Police Scotland two years ago after 24 years of service, runs Bee Lifted with his wife Emma, who left the force after 14 years of service. The Broughty Ferry couple have since built a portfolio of eight properties throughout Dundee and Angus, from contemporary flats and listed buildings to serviced accommodation.

Emma explained that her mother’s situation motivated them to buy their first property. She said: “My mum was living in Wales at the time and struggling financially. She had equity stuck in the house and we were trying to work out how to help her, whether we should buy a house or help her move somewhere else and get the equity out.

“We decided to buy a property for her here, a listed building that was very much below market value and needed a lot of work. She now happily lives there, and we own it. She’s in a better place and we loved seeing it come together. Sometimes, the worse condition the property is in, the more we enjoy it. That’s when we were bitten by the property bug!”

Despite this first property success, the couple were acutely aware that they needed to upskill, so pursued a property investment training course.

Emma continued: “When we reflect on our first purchase, most of what we did was right; we certainly added value, and the outcome was largely positive, but we didn’t do it with a business head on. It was a steep learning curve with lots of surprises. When we started the training, we picked up these lightbulb moments and strategies for going forward. We probably didn’t appreciate the options you have when you take on a property including assisted sales where you don’t actually buy the property but help the owner to improve it and then take a cut when they sell it.

“We’d advise others to get educated from the get-go, from tax and VAT implications to navigating the local authority maze and ensuring your terms and conditions are water-tight. Because we’ve been stung on occasion, and sometimes been a little too hands-on, we’re keen to share what we have learned with others.”

Through training and experience, Marc and Emma will also explore the importance of choosing properties in the right location.

Emma added: “We were advised to focus on ‘goldmine areas’ and properties within a one-mile radius. Dundee’s a bit different from other cities, and we’re pretty open to where we might work. We’re fortunate that there’s so much investment and development in and around Dundee and Angus, which all bring opportunity and open doors to others wanting to get involved, whether full-time or as an add-on to their existing day job.

“There’s also a flipside to that positivity, however, with a severe and ongoing cost of living crisis continuing to affect many homes. Many people need out of their current home as they can’t afford to improve it, or need to downsize because their costs are increasing. Property investors can get a bad name for taking advantage of people, but in our eyes, we’re helping people get into a better situation. Yes, we’re running a business, but we want to benefit people and help them move on in life, too.”

The TSPC Property Investor Evening will take place at TSPC, 11 Whitehall Crescent, Dundee, from 5.30pm until 7pm on Thursday, 26 September 2024.

The Lorentes will be joined by a surveyor, mortgage advisor and solicitor, all from TSPC partner firms, and Hazel Young from Rockford Properties who will discuss the implications of becoming a landlord and maximising rental yields.

Angela Wallace, centre and operations manager of TSPC, who will share her personal experience of a property ‘flip’, commented: “Whether you’re ready to dive into the world of property investment or looking to enhance your existing portfolio, our event will give an honest and inspiring insight into the realities of property investment.

“I know from my own experience that, whether you’re taking your first step or looking to refine your approach, knowledge is power, as are connections with like-minded individuals who are willing to share their insights.”