Lisa Pollinger

The Importance of Principal Designers

Any construction project often comes with many complex elements and managing all of those aspects together is the key to a successful end result. That management comes from a team of people collaboratively working towards the end goal, and a principal designer is an imperative part of that success. What

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5 Essential Items For Your Manual Work Wardrobe

Many individuals work in occupations that involve manual labor, whether in or outdoors. On any day of the week, it could be a challenge to decide what to wear. Going through the closet to find something appealing but doesn’t compromise on quality, comfort, or versatility is a daily struggle many

Read More »

Why Every E-Commerce Company Should Invest in Email Marketing

When growing your business, it’s essential to know which marketing efforts are worth investing in. With more options available than ever before, choosing the best channel for your business can feel overwhelming. That said, email marketing remains a great tactic that helps eCommerce companies thrive in this saturated market. Aside

Read More »

7 Creative Ways To Market Your Next Project

So, you got this nice project planned out that will take your business to new heights. Whether it’s launching a new product or hosting an event for brand awareness, you need to promote your next project or it will be a flop. But getting your project in front of customers

Read More »

We need your help in the fight against Covid-19

With construction works coming to an end as part of the process to limit the spread of Covid-19, all of us in the demolition and construction sectors have a duty and obligation to the communities that we serve. While the Government is mobilising resources, there are significant shortages for frontline

Read More »

The Absolute Optimal of Office Experience Every Day

Launched by Ocubis, City Pavilion showcases a new, members-only co working space, situated on the 12th floor, Cannon Green development. Boosting five floors of serviced office space offering a sensational 3,000 sq ft rooftop garden, one of the largest private rooftop gardens in the city centre, it becomes an office

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Fatal Mistakes Made by Novice Investors

First time investors often make rookie errors upon embarking on their first venture into property. Whether it be overcommitting themselves, over stretching their budget, buying a property without high demands or choosing an unprofitable location, however these are easily overcome providing you have the right guidance. Several mistakes are becoming

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Latest Issue

BDC 319 : Aug 2024

Lisa Pollinger

The Importance of Principal Designers

Any construction project often comes with many complex elements and managing all of those aspects together is the key to a successful end result. That management comes from a team of people collaboratively working towards the end goal, and a principal designer is an imperative part of that success. What is a Principal Designer? A Principal Designer, or PD, is a key part of the project team for any project in architecture and construction. A PD can be a single person, or for a bigger project, it can be an organisation too. This person can be from a diverse background, such as a contractor or builder, a tradesperson, or even commercial client, but their job in this instance is to take on the role of managing and directing the design elements of the process. The principal designer guides and instructs the phase prior to construction to oversee the designs with a goal to minimising the risks to health and safety – something that’s vital to the overarching success of any project. What are the roles and responsibility of a Principal Designer? We’ve already mentioned how a principal designer is the health and safety guardian angel and person who ensures the smooth running of the project for the duration, but what does that actually entail? Planning and Monitoring – The success of any project is determined by the plans, and the PD identifies and controls or eliminates any issues in the plans, the build process and the functionality of the space when it’s complete. Managing – The PD is a manager for the team, they’re the liaison between all the different simultaneous elements and the cohesive cooperation consistent understanding between parties, including the client. Coordinating Health & Safety – Without a doubt, the first priority on any build or design is safety, and it’s the PD contributes to the health and safety file and keeps every step of the process in line with regulations and as safe as possible.  The key value of a PD comes specifically from their invaluable knowledge and experience in complying with regulations, ensuring that all designers comply with their duties in regulation 9 and specifically that the project meets CDM 2015 and the associated legislative requirements. Why you need a Principal Designer? A principal designer does many things, as stated, but the most impactful and valuable part of their skillset is in the regulation compliance. Due to changes in the CDM Regulations in 2015, the responsibility of project management and the associated weight falls on the client. It is obligatory to appoint a PD in writing for any project with more than one contractor, and if this isn’t done, the responsibility falls utterly to the client. Realistically, most clients don’t have the necessary knowledge or skillset to do the job of PD, and if breaches to the regulations occur, the client then faces the consequences and possible HSE prosecution. There’s a heavy financial burden that comes with such mistakes, in the form of fines, compensation, resource costs, legal costs, as well as the impact of losing business. Ultimately, a PD will avoid the heavy burden you could potentially come to bear, as well as give you the security and relief that come from knowing the process will meet regulations and not result in any ramifications, on top of providing effective and experienced project management. How to choose a Principal Designer This is a difficult question – how are you meant to decide who will bear such important responsibility, particularly given that the flow and functional success of the project is essentially dependent on this person? The best idea is definitely to go for a professional, firstly. We’ve established how important a principal designer is, and in light of that, it’s equally important not to cut corners here too. Somebody with good credentials, experience and qualifications is ideal, and the right kind of person in terms of personality for you to work with is also important to the emotional experience of the project. Ultimately, the best thing to do is to find a property and construction consultancy who offer this Principle Designer Services such as Henry Riley and work with them to find the right person for the project. Overall, a principal designer is a vital part of project management and a really key element in assuring the smooth and successful running of the process. More than anything, their wealth of knowledge and experience is invaluable in removing the stress, because by delegating, the responsibility for adhering to health and safety and building regulations falls to a professional. 

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5 Essential Items For Your Manual Work Wardrobe

Many individuals work in occupations that involve manual labor, whether in or outdoors. On any day of the week, it could be a challenge to decide what to wear. Going through the closet to find something appealing but doesn’t compromise on quality, comfort, or versatility is a daily struggle many could face. If you work in manual labor, you need to search for pieces of clothing that allow you to do anything freely, comfortably, and fashionably. The good news is that most manual work wardrobes now include authentic designs and sophisticated staples that can be mixed and matched with ease. All you have to do is get them into your closet. Hold that thought—here are a few wardrobe essentials for manual workers like you. 1. Stretchable Tactical Pants First on the list are stretchable tactical pants. Tactical trousers are multipurpose pants noted for their toughness, utility, and style worn both on or off the job. Police officers, military personnel, or anyone who works in an active environment and participates in outdoor activities typically wear them. Tactical pants combine functionality with the comfort of athletic or work wear. They’re often made out of synthetic fabrics such as polyester, cotton, nylon, and elastane for a better range of movement and are designed to provide maximum agility for people who work in manual labor every day. You can find such variations on Mancave Workwear or at any reputable shops online. 2. Work Boots When you’re in an active work environment, your equipment and gears will need to be strong and durable, such as your work boots. An ideal work boot for every manual working individual should be made from durable materials, offer a simple design, and be built to last. There are many advantages to wearing these boots. Some examples include: Better Foot Protection – Working with heavy machinery or hazardous tools places you at risk of suffering cuts or crush injuries to your feet. Therefore, it’s best to wear work boots to protect your feet. Perhaps steel-toed work boots will be handy in protecting your feet. Consistent Comfort – A regular shoe may leave your feet aching at the end of a long workday. Owning and wearing a pair of work boots could cushion your feet and help you avoid this problem. They can also keep your toes warm in the winter, too. Greater Durability – Investing in well-made and robust work boots can generally help make you feel confident with their durability. 3. Dry-Fit T-Shirts T-shirts could be considered fantastic clothing to wear. However, dry-fit shirts are more like a necessity for athletes and hard workers. If you’re not sure why, consider the following benefits: It’s made from a suitable material. Dry-fit can complement different skin types. Since they frequently come in various fabric combinations, their lightness and breathability aren’t sacrificed. It wicks away any form of moisture. The wicking action is essential to keep you as sweat-free as possible while working under the sun. It increases your flexible ability while moving. When doing a task that requires a sequence of moves, you’ll want to wear something that doesn’t restrict your movements. Dry-fit shirts aren’t just for athletes; hard workers can wear them as well. If you find such clothing appealing, make sure to buy from a reputable manufacturer to ensure you don’t get a second-hand product. 4. Work Shorts For those working outside during the hot weather, work shorts could be considered essential. At first glance work shorts may appear like ordinary shorts, but they actually feature stretchable gussets for a greater range of motion. Aside from the gussets, work shorts have a lot of pockets and other features, so you’ll have plenty of room for your phone, keys, tools, and other items needed while working. 5. Insulated Jackets When the weather’s cooler and ordinary sweatshirts or fleece aren’t enough to keep you warm, an insulated jacket may offer you the necessary protection. Insulated jackets help your body retain body heat when the temperature drops. Insulated jackets come in a variety of fillings depending on the brand you choose. A natural or synthetic down option is available with some brands, as well as a hybrid of the two options. Regardless of what you choose, they’ll likely be lightweight, packable, and water-resistant—ideal for those on the go. Final Thoughts To succeed in your job, you need more than just knowledge and expertise—you must also feel at ease. Whether you’re looking to keep cool or dry, warm or comfy, essential work gear might help you feel prepared to completed the task at hand. After all, if you work in comfort, your day will be at the least less stressful, safer, and more fruitful.

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Why Every E-Commerce Company Should Invest in Email Marketing

When growing your business, it’s essential to know which marketing efforts are worth investing in. With more options available than ever before, choosing the best channel for your business can feel overwhelming. That said, email marketing remains a great tactic that helps eCommerce companies thrive in this saturated market. Aside from the fact that this strategy is 40% better at converting than some social media platforms, it is also an excellent channel for generating leads, making sales, and retaining customers. But before you set up an email marketing campaign, it’s essential to grow a reliable online presence for your business so customers can browse and shop in your online store without any trouble. A good start is the most suitable hosting for business and a relevant domain name. So if you’re wondering whether email marketing is the right marketing option for you and how well it would pay off, continue reading this article.  Generates the Highest ROI ROI, which stands for return on investment, refers to the incremental revenue per dollar spent. Implementing a high-generating ROI marketing strategy is essential to keep businesses profitable and running for the long haul. Compared to other marketing methods, email marketing tends to generate the highest ROI. For every dollar spent on this marketing tactic, businesses get an ROI of $40. In retrospect, search engine optimization (SEO) only generates $22.24, and mobile marketing yields at only $10.51. When done right, this practice benefits businesses in the following ways: Justifies marketing spend Compares marketing efficiency  Provides insight on what to spend more on With the correct information, businesses can plan a lucrative marketing strategy, spending less to gain maximum revenue.  Increases Web Traffic According to HubSpot, the most significant marketing challenge for businesses is generating traffic and leads. No matter the size of your business, having an email marketing strategy is vital. In 2021, there are 4.147 million email users and 319.6 billion sent and received emails per day. With that in mind, people worldwide are reachable through their email inbox, making email marketing a suitable strategy to drive more traffic to your website. The first step to email marketing is building an email list – a collection of email addresses from people who permit you to send them emails. Typically, people provide their email addresses in exchange for a special offer, valuable resources, or freebies. For instance, if your business sells kitchen appliances, consider offering a healthy recipe eBook in return for their email addresses. Next, make sure the emails you send are not spammy. Avoid sending them too often and including unnecessary information. Instead, keep them concise and provide a clear call-to-action button to drive targeted traffic to the pages you choose. Easy to Measure Measuring your marketing efforts is critical. It gives insight into what works, what doesn’t, and where to improve, allowing businesses to plan a better strategy for maximum results. Here are several email marketing metrics to measure to help improve the outcome: Open rate. This refers to the percentage of recipients who opened your email. Consider personalizing the subject line with the recipient’s first name to increase the open rate. Click-through rate. Shows how many recipients clicked on a link attached to your email. Pay attention to the anchor text, link placement, and button color choice. Unsubscribe rate. The percentage of recipients who unsubscribe from your mailing list. This is mostly due to unrecognizable sender, weak brand identity, and emailing too often. Complaint rate. This is the percentage of recipients who marked your email as spam. Reasons for high complaint rates include leaving out the unsubscribe link in your emails and sending irrelevant content. Conversion rate. The number of recipients who completed your desired action, such as purchasing a product, subscribing to a channel, or signing up for a course. Bounce rate. Shows total emails that weren’t successfully delivered, which is mainly due to the wrong email address, overloaded server, or full mailbox on the recipient’s part. Builds a Lasting Customer Base Aside from attracting new customers, it’s also critical to retain the existing ones. Not only will doing so help increase sales but a loyal and lasting customer base will also boost your company’s growth and brand reputation. A great way to achieve that by email marketing is through loyalty programs – a marketing strategy to encourage repeat orders and increase brand loyalty. Here’s a list of programs worth considering: VIP programs. Consider offering access to special deals such as coupon codes or early launch discounts to those who sign up as VIP members. Brand ambassador programs. Offer various perks such as invitations to brand events and access to exclusive communities to those who become brand ambassadors. Referral programs. Encourage customers to invite others to try your brand or service by giving redeemable points for every successful conversion. Email Is a Preferred Communication Channel 83% of customers prefer to hear from brands via email. That said, it’s important to pay attention to your audiences’ needs. For instance, 54% of consumers want businesses to make it easy to opt out of their mailing list. Therefore, include an easy-to-spot unsubscribe button for their convenience. Additionally, personalize your emails as this strategy boosts transaction rates by six times.  Customers also state they’re more likely to shop when offered personalized offers and product recommendations. A great example of this is Netflix, where they send emails based on the customer’s watch history. Without personalization, you risk losing customers, as 74% of them get frustrated when content has nothing to do with them. Boosts Sales When done right, email marketing can boost sales. To do that, consider using email segmentation, the practice of dividing your email list into different groups so marketers can tailor unique campaigns to each segment. As a marketer, you can segment based on a few criteria, such as signup date, group interest, or subscriber activity. That said, segmentation enables marketers to respond to subscribers’ behaviors and make customized messages relevant to their needs. This practice can garner 14.31% higher

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Your garden summer proof in no time with these tips and tricks

Summer is around the corner and this means people have to turn to their green fingers again. However, not everyone has green fingers but some do have a garden! How to make your garden ready with minimal effort, while making it a pleasant environment to enjoy those rays of the sun? In this article, we will look at multiple ways to create a summer feeling. Add a palm tree! Sounds like an easy thing to do right? Palm trees come in lots of different sizes and can be placed almost everywhere. The advantage of a palm tree is the fact that it can be placed in a pot which makes it versatile to place. The palm tree immediately gives a summer feeling and does not require any changes to your current garden. Besides that, they are easy to maintain as long as you follow the weather patterns. Oh, there’s an application for that, of course. Garden efficient using applications To continue our trajectory along the road of applications, there is way more to explore. There are simple garden applications that tell you when you need to water your plants and change the soil, to complex and professional apps for the real deal. If you do not have green fingers, the simple app will suffice in keeping your plants alive. Nothing better than having an efficient gardening process, right? Add some plants and flowers Naturally, your garden includes garden plants. However, there are great additions that can make an easy difference. For example, colourful flowers in the summer can change the atmosphere of the garden entirely. They do come with some instructions, but when following them you can be sure to have beautiful colours during the whole summer period. Next to that, there are options such as the French lavender. With their popping purple colour, they are a great addition to almost any type of garden. Time to pick up a gardening hobby? If you are interested in growing green fingers, this might be the one for you. Although it does not have to be placed in a garden, a Bonsai tree can be great among garden plants. Especially in smaller gardens it is a match made in heaven. Bonsai refers to an ancient Japanese technique of taking care of plants and does not refer to a specific plant type. Often, the technique is applied to plants such as Ginseng. The technique requires you to “shape” the plant artistically and calmly, a process that is both labours intensive as well as perfectionistic. In the process, trees can often die. This makes it the ultimate test to becoming a true gardener. Luckily there is the Internet Of course, you are not alone in this. Many social media channels are packed with photos and videos of Bonsai and how to take care of them. These help you to get a hang of it and grow your inner Bonsai expertise.

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7 Creative Ways To Market Your Next Project

So, you got this nice project planned out that will take your business to new heights. Whether it’s launching a new product or hosting an event for brand awareness, you need to promote your next project or it will be a flop. But getting your project in front of customers is not always easy. Lucky for you, this article compiles seven lists of creative marketing methods for you to try. 1. Offer Exclusive Previews Exclusive previews mean showing your most loyal customers a sneak peek. Not only are they the most likely to buy your product, but they will most likely share the promos to their social circle as well. Exclusive previews can be in the form of in-person, private, or virtual pre-launch parties like an online demo, preview, or tour. Also, it can be a special invitation to test out a new product or service and give feedback. Such exclusive offerings to your loyal customers can reinforce how much you value them, strengthening their loyalty. 2. Spread The Word With Email About 4 billion people around the globe use email. Also, 82% of consumers are said to open emails from businesses and have made purchases from an email marketing message. As you can see, email is an excellent channel for spreading the word about your new project. Not only that, but it also makes a nice incentive to grow your subscribers. You can run a specific email campaign about your new project—perhaps through a series of emails building up to the day of your project launch. You can also use email and platforms like Greenvelope to send professional invitations for your general audience, or in line with the previous tip, for your exclusive promotions.  3. Special Introductory Offer If you’re launching a new product or service, then consider making it available with a special introductory deal. Such deals can take many forms like: Buy 1, Get 1 Deal Discounted Prices Reduced-Price Package or Bundle Coupon or Voucher with Every Purchase Free Gift for Every Referral Loyalty Programs with a Points System Whatever promotion tactic you use, you must emphasize a sense of urgency. Make sure your customers know that it will not last forever. That way, your prospective customers will take action immediately—either by buying or reserving an item. 4. Partner With An Influencer It is not easy to promote your next project if you have a limited reach. If that’s the case, you can always tap people who have a much larger audience. Influencers are authoritative figures who are well-respected in their target market. They have lots of subscribers, followers, and fans who quickly follow any recommendations or endorsements they offer. Reviews and promotions from influencers in your niche can significantly improve your reach and generate instant social proof with your audience. Getting promoted by an influencer will help increase the awareness and recognition of your brand. It will create a lot of hype for your next project too! 5. Forge Partnerships With Other Businesses As a starting or small business, you may have limited marketing resources and budget. So, it only makes sense to try and reach out to other complementary businesses including vendors, suppliers, and manufacturers. Not only is this a win-win situation but there’s also the added credibility when another company recommends you. For instance, you can suggest exchanging customer lists and offering to pay your partner company a commission for every sale that you make. However, this requires access to data, and your business partner must request permission from their customers first if they agree to have their details shared. If the company you’re partnering with maintains a blog or podcast, you can ask to get featured in their content. All you need is to plug your brand name or link in the content, and you can gain exposure to an established base of customers. And if your partner business has a physical retail space, then you can also ask them to put up some of your promotional ads or place your business cards in their lounge or waiting area. In addition, you can also make your customers your business partners. You can create a referral rewards program that offers rewards to customers who refer your business to friends or family. After all, word of mouth is one of the most powerful forms of marketing. 6. Create Project Inserts If you are already shipping and selling products, then you have the opportunity to promote your new project with every sale. You can do so by creating project inserts to ship with every other product that you sell. These do not have to be intricately designed or complex. A simple card can already have a big impact on your receiving customer. You can pair the new project promotion with a thank you note so that your customer feels appreciated while you bring awareness for your new project simultaneously. You can also include a promo code so that your customer is more likely to consider your new project. You can include a custom landing page URL or QR code to minimize the size of your project insert. This also helps provide effective tracking for your campaign. 7. Generate Social Engagement The goal of every social marketing post is to get your followers to act. It can be making comments, clicking a link to engage with the post, or sharing the content with others. The more engagement the post receives, the more visible it will in social media feeds. This can lead to new followers and greater exposure for your new project. So, if you created a social marketing post, then make it actionable with open-ended CTAs. You can include a question or ask followers to weigh in with their opinion. Post a poll or pop quiz. Also, make sure to reply to all comments, positive and negative alike. Whenever possible, reshare stories and posts from customers so you can use such as social proof for other prospects. Conclusion Regardless of how good your next project

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We need your help in the fight against Covid-19

With construction works coming to an end as part of the process to limit the spread of Covid-19, all of us in the demolition and construction sectors have a duty and obligation to the communities that we serve. While the Government is mobilising resources, there are significant shortages for frontline staff in the NHS, GP practices and social care sectors. We are therefore encouraging the demolition and wider construction sector to retain a base stock of PPE, and make the rest available to those frontline services who need it far more than we do. You have the ability to save lives by doing so, no donation is too small! Cantillon and DeGroup are pulling together their resources to reach out to our competitors, peers and partners to seek quantities of excess masks, overalls, glasses and gloves. We have contacts within the NHS and Emergency Services who have already said this equipment would be gratefully received. They may use it themselves or indeed direct us to the Vulnerable Groups. The fact is, it can do a lot of good, but not while it sits on our shelves gathering dust. This is a free-of-charge donation, it’s giving back in an hour of real need. We can manage collection and distribution and your contribution will make a huge difference and potentially save many lives. – Paul Cluskey, Managing Director, Cantillon Please visit our Contractors Appeal Website for more information.  You can also donate money via our JustGiving page

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The Absolute Optimal of Office Experience Every Day

Launched by Ocubis, City Pavilion showcases a new, members-only co working space, situated on the 12th floor, Cannon Green development. Boosting five floors of serviced office space offering a sensational 3,000 sq ft rooftop garden, one of the largest private rooftop gardens in the city centre, it becomes an office of dreams. The City Pavilion recently hosted an exclusive yoga session for members on the amazing rooftop, as part of the National Work Life Week, in collaboration with award winning operator of premium boutique fitness studios, Core Collective. Located perfectly next door to Canal Street mainline and Underground Station, City Pavilion forms part of the London office building, Cannon Green, offering a dramatic glass atrium and a huge range of amenities. Co-working and hot-desking spaces feature quirky furnishings and unique features, including showers, bike storage options and even Spanner-the on-site bike repair shop. The latest in technology means you can have the absolute optimal of office experience every day. A divine bar and restaurant called The Listing is at your disposal, with a business lounge offering an all day cafe and bar also available. The on-site Gymbox gym means all your needs are in one space, you can even experience heated lockers, on-site cleaning, bespoke art spread over unique office spaces and superfast Wi-Fi, with fair use of printing facilities and photocopying. Well-appointed meeting rooms are carefully tailored to suit the requirements of the modern business, with a wide range of conference room options complemented by unparalleled room service, you can be sure that all your meeting needs will be met with excellence. Neatly tucked below the rooftop garden you can find the Penthouse Office Suite, the most exclusive space for your work with some of the best views in the city. Other options include the Hot Desk, which is ideal for anyone wanting 24 hour, flexible access to a desk or private office on a daily basis. If you require something more bespoke to you, you can experience all the benefits of the Hot Desk in your own Private Office, with bespoke furnishings, secure access and lockable storage. The Exclusive Desk space boosts the ideal space for someone wanting something more permanent, with fixed, lockable desks in an open environment ideal for collaborative teams. Each space is beautifully furnished with the client in mind, offering an office that becomes a home from home, with remarkable views, elegant art work and countless benefits.  

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Fatal Mistakes Made by Novice Investors

First time investors often make rookie errors upon embarking on their first venture into property. Whether it be overcommitting themselves, over stretching their budget, buying a property without high demands or choosing an unprofitable location, however these are easily overcome providing you have the right guidance. Several mistakes are becoming more prevalent across the UK property industry, so here is a list of the most common mistakes that are easily avoidable. Don’t Overstretch Yourself on Budget Cash flow is king across any business sector, therefore the moment you stretch yourself too far with your finances, you could find yourself in boiling water. Any property that doesn’t provide a steady income serves as no worthy investment, only a liability. Being too hopeful and enthusiastic can often lead to misjudgement by an investor in terms of house much rental income can be achieved from a property. This will bring down your estimated cash flow and risk leaving you with a negative cash flow property. Outlining a Strategy or Financial Model Often, many first-time investors fail to outline a strategy before embarking on any finalised investment deals. Performing a financial analysis on a deal can highlight whether the property is suited to you and allows investors to make astute decisions based on their desired goals. Property investment companies like RW Invest aim to make the journey through property investment as smooth as possible, attentive sales negotiators are on hand to ensure all your questions are answered from start to finish. Focussing on key investment hotspots throughout the UK, RW Invest focus on key investment hotspots throughout the UK to assure high rental income and excellent opportunity for capital appreciation. In the meantime, it is important for you to focus on your own individual goals and strategise how they can be implemented to guarantee the best investments. Financial modelling can include budgeting the costs of a development project against the expected income from the sale or rent of the completed dwelling, budgeting the expected rental income after all expenses such as management fees or water rates, determining the return on investment so it can be used as a comparison against other asset classes like stocks and shares and also helping to establish an estimated market value of the property after construction is completed or renovated based on the market currently and over the past 6 months. Research is Key It can be easy for individuals to get tricked by the promises for quick profit and enter the property investment industry with little necessary knowledge on what can be deemed as a prosperous opportunity. The solution is to read around your topic, perform as much research as possible. There is no excuse to be underprepared. Not Balancing Risk and Return Of course, like all types of investment there is always a small risk element. If an investment is sure to offer desirable returns, also analyse its risk profile and calculate how much money you should expect to lose if things turn upside down. Therefore, is it imperative you should never bite off more than you can chew, in other words, don’t invest more than you can afford to lose. Performing Due Diligence Quite often the novelty and excitement of purchasing a new property and becoming a property investor can quite often cloud the judgement of first time investors, leading them to skim over the business side of property investment and causing a buy that may prove to be an investment not worth their while. Due diligence for an experienced property investor can include a multiple of factors such as testing the build to ensure it is structurally sound and safe for tenants, make sure the property fits in your overall vision of the portfolio you’ve imagined, carrying out research and understanding of the current trends surrounding the local property market to ensure you thoroughly understand sale prices as well as typical rental incomes, and finally performing comparable research to justify whether your potential property is a worthwhile investment. Never make assumptions about the location or property, and do not act on the premise that markets are always efficient producing good returns all the time. Of course, every other investor has access to the same information as you, however it is up to you how you utilise it and how you can use it to your advantage to identify unmissable investments.

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