https://www.thisweekinproperty.tv/proper-tay/
In this episode of This Week In Property, we sit down with sister-brother team Michelle de Almeida and Paul Laurie; two dynamic property investors whose journey from hospitality burnout to a booming multi-million-pound property business is anything but ordinary.
Michelle spent two decades in the high-pressure world of hospitality before pivoting into business consultancy and eventually property investment. Paul racked up 30 years in the same industry before joining forces with his sister. Together, they’ve built a thriving property business that now boasts a GDV pipeline in excess of £10 million.
Their journey is rooted in grit, realism, and a lot of legwork. Paul is methodical. He views up to 40 properties just to land one viable deal, sticking firmly to numbers that work. Michelle, meanwhile, brings a strategic mindset, treating property as a business from day one and managing investor relations, finance, and branding with precision. They’ve funded their deals through their own resources, private investors and by reinvesting every penny back into their business.
Their approach is refreshingly honest: no fluff, just hard work, strategic growth, and ethical decision-making. Whether it’s helping a struggling vendor move on or investing £40,000 in top-end furniture for their serviced accommodation brand Luxe Escapes, Michelle and Paul aim to raise the standard—not just meet it.
They’re not chasing volume for the sake of it either. The goal? 200 property “keys” and a flexible 10-year runway. They’ve already expanded into high-end SA, are negotiating on hotel projects, and even eyeing the English market for planning advantages. Oh, and Michelle just signed her first international speaking gig in Dubai!
This is a candid, motivating conversation about ambition, setbacks, tough decisions, and what it really takes to turn property into a scalable, ethical, and profitable business. If you’re looking to move beyond theory and hear how real investors are making it work on the ground - this episode is well worth your time.
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https://www.thisweekinproperty.tv/proper-tay/
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