The Property Funder Podcast

EP101 Deal Sourcing Decoded

Shazad Ahmed, aka 'Where's Shaz' and Director of Elan Property Finance, takes us on a brutally honest journey through modern brokerage from his South Wales base. We explore the reality check newer investors need (spoiler: that £10k savings pot won't go as far as the property guru promised), the dark side of private finance and Ponzi-adjacent schemes promising 30% returns, and why deal sourcing isn't the dirty word mortgage lenders think it is. Shaz reveals how solicitors are holding deals hostage with capacity issues and suspiciously convenient delays, shares his vibe coding experiments with AI tools that summarise 50-page credit files in plain English, and explains why LinkedIn post hijacking is the ultimate cardinal sin. We dissect HMO valuation concerns that keep credit teams up at night, debate whether families will have anywhere left to live, explore the receivership red flags killing future refinances, and discuss why communication with lenders beats going ghost every single time. Plus, Shaz's advice to his 21-year-old self about peaking earlier might just be the reality check we all needed. Guest: Shazad Ahmed, Director of Elan Property Finance Guest Socials: https://www.instagram.com/wheresshaz/ [https://www.instagram.com/wheresshaz/] https://www.tiktok.com/@wheresshaz [https://www.tiktok.com/@wheresshaz] https://www.youtube.com/@Wheresshaz [https://www.youtube.com/@Wheresshaz] https://www.linkedin.com/in/shazadahmed/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shazadahmed/] Sponsored by: Avamore Capital https://avamorecapital.com #SpecialistFinance #PropertyFinance #Recruitment #SpecialistLending #Bridging #Development #Business #Leadership #Hiring #TalentAcquisition #FounderSyndrome #Headhunting #FinancialServices #CareerDevelopment #StartupGrowth #PropertyDevelopment #RealEstateFinance #BusinessStrategy #TeamBuilding #Entrepreneurship

EP100 The Broker Club

It's episode 100! To mark this milestone, Michael sits down with Jordan McBriar and D’mitri Zaprzala, directors of the newly launched Broker Club. The pair reveal their ambitious plan to create a nationwide network of specialist brokers covering all 48 counties across England and Wales—and they're already 42 counties in with 68 applications. This isn't just another networking group; it's a genuine collaboration model designed for established one to three-person brokerages who want to be part of something bigger. They discuss the overwhelming response from the market, unexpected benefits that emerged, lender reactions, and what makes a good broker-lender relationship. Plus, there's some friendly football banter between an Arsenal and a Man City fan. If you're curious about the future of specialist brokering and what happens when you bring the best regional brokers under one roof, this is essential listening. Guests: Jordan McBriar and D’mitri Zaprzala Guest Socials: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-mcbriar-19341477/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-mitri-zaprzala-70416819/ Sponsored by: Avamore Capital https://avamorecapital.com #SpecialistFinance #PropertyFinance #Recruitment #SpecialistLending #Bridging #Development #Business #Leadership #Hiring #TalentAcquisition #FounderSyndrome #Headhunting #FinancialServices #CareerDevelopment #StartupGrowth #PropertyDevelopment #RealEstateFinance #BusinessStrategy #TeamBuilding #Entrepreneurship

EP99 Proof Builds Trust

George Ormerod, Relationship Manager at Avamore Capital, takes us through his unconventional journey from COVID-era estate agent at Foxtons to rising star in development finance. We dive into the reality behind the Foxtons reputation, explore the transferable skills that set George apart (spoiler: it's not about dropping donuts), and discuss why picking up the phone still matters in a WhatsApp world. George shares hard-won lessons about building trust without over-promising, breaking into competitive broker relationships, and why being memorable – even if you're Marmite – beats being forgettable every time. Plus, we examine the current property market, debate flats versus houses, discuss tech adoption battles (George is now a believer), and reveal why patience and persistence trump overnight success. If you're curious about what separates average BDMs from exceptional ones, this conversation delivers the blueprint. Guest: George Ormerod, Relationship Manager at Avamore Capital Guest Socials: go@avamorecapital.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-ormerod-126aa61aa/ Sponsored by: Avamore Capital https://avamorecapital.com #SpecialistFinance #PropertyFinance #Recruitment #SpecialistLending #Bridging #Development #Business #Leadership #Hiring #TalentAcquisition #FounderSyndrome #Headhunting #FinancialServices #CareerDevelopment #StartupGrowth #PropertyDevelopment #RealEstateFinance #BusinessStrategy #TeamBuilding #Entrepreneurship

EP98 Building Personal Brands

Ash Ajaz, aka The People's Broker and founder of Focus Finance Solutions, shares his remarkable journey from being pushed into entrepreneurship in 2020 to building a thriving brokerage with over 500 educational YouTube videos. We explore why he believes the toughest years for brokers created the best opportunities, how he uses education as his secret weapon for lead generation (with clients calling from Dubai after discovering his content), and why checking your credit score regularly isn't just smart – it's essential. Ash breaks down why the SME finance market is criminally underserved, reveals the pitfalls that kill developer profits (hello, building control nightmares), and explains his 'jab, jab, jab, right hook' approach to content creation. Plus, we discuss why AI is a tool not a threat, the importance of building a personal brand that means something, and why teaching his eight-year-old Excel might be the smartest investment he's making. If you're wondering how to stand out in a crowded market through authentic education and relentless consistency, this conversation is your blueprint. Guest: Ash Ajaz, Founder & CEO of Focus Finance Solutions (The People's Broker) Guest Socials: @thepeoplesbroker https://www.instagram.com/thepeoplesbroker/ [https://www.instagram.com/thepeoplesbroker/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashajaz/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashajaz/] https://www.tiktok.com/@the.peoples.broker [https://www.tiktok.com/@the.peoples.broker] https://www.youtube.com/@focusfinancechannel [https://www.youtube.com/@focusfinancechannel] Sponsored by: Avamore Capital https://avamorecapital.com #SpecialistFinance #PropertyFinance #Recruitment #SpecialistLending #Bridging #Development #Business #Leadership #Hiring #TalentAcquisition #FounderSyndrome #Headhunting #FinancialServices #CareerDevelopment #StartupGrowth #PropertyDevelopment #RealEstateFinance #BusinessStrategy #TeamBuilding #Entrepreneurship

EP97 Specialist Finance Evolution

In this episode, Beth Fisher and Ellen Townsend from Medianett drop a bombshell announcement over Diddy vodka (yes, really): they're halving their client base to focus on premium partnerships. We explore the bold strategy behind cutting from 90 marketing clients to a select group, why being boutique beats being glorified admin, and how editorial independence remains sacred even as they become extensions of clients' teams. Beth and Ellen reveal their massive website rebrand launching April 2026 with AI-powered trend reporting, rotating banner ads that fight 'furniture syndrome,' and a complete shift towards AIO optimization over traditional SEO. We discuss the commercial mortgage surge dominating 2026 conversations, debate whether M&A consolidation will finally happen (Beth's been calling it for four years), and explore why the market might go full circle back to privately-funded niche lenders. Plus, insights on personal versus corporate branding challenges, and why trust and relationships remain the currency that actually matters in specialist finance. Guests: Beth Fisher & Ellen Townsend, Medianett Guest Socials: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethany-fisher-10243790/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-townsend-006110153/ Sponsored by: Avamore Capital https://avamorecapital.com #SpecialistFinance #PropertyFinance #Recruitment #SpecialistLending #Bridging #Development #Business #Leadership #Hiring #TalentAcquisition #FounderSyndrome #Headhunting #FinancialServices #CareerDevelopment #StartupGrowth #PropertyDevelopment #RealEstateFinance #BusinessStrategy #TeamBuilding #Entrepreneurship