As we are all aware, due diligence is paramount to successful property investment.

In this interview with Feng Shui Consultant, Michael Oon, I discover how using Feng Shui in the research stage can add a futher level of due diligence and risk management to your acquisition purchasing decisions.



This subject is currently being debated on our Property Tribes forum. Click >>> here to view and join the discussion.



THIS WEEK'S EVENT: This Thursday at our Surrey Social Media Tribes meeting, we will be discussing strategies of how to build a targeted Twitter following. Like property, twitter is not "get rich quick", "get followers quick". On Thursday, I will be revealing the personal strategies I have used to build a targeted twitter following that has helped me gain tremendous traction on Twitter.

Come and join a group of like-minded and supportive people who are all interested in sharing strategies to optimise the social web. This event is 100% networking and education. Please click >>> here to register your place. Tickets are £10.00 in advance or £15.00 on the door on the night.

Date: Thursday 27th May 2010

Time: 6.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Venue: Holiday Inn, Egerton Road, Guildford.

Parking: Ample and free.

I am increasingly being contacted in private by people who are struggling with mortgage repayments, and they want my advice.



First of all, if you are struggling, it is very important to get the correct advice from the correct person, otherwise you will become very confused.  Stuff like "just hand back the keys" from the property "expert" down the pub is not good advice!

I am not qualified to give advice, but, what I do say, is that, in the first instance, CONTACT YOUR LENDER, and let them know that you are in difficulty.

They are obliged by law to help you as much as they can.  This can include payment holidays, concessions, reduced payments etc.  I believe it is vital to keep up an open and honest communication with them.  If you cut off all communication, that is when things start to go out of control and they will be less forgiving than if you have been seen to be trying to deal with it.

There are also specialist debt advice services who can help.  Some offer a free consultation to assess your individual situation.

It is worth noting that it is very important to pay your service charges and ground rents.  Make that a priority in your bills.  Failure to do so can mean forfeiting the lease!  If these are not paid up to date, you will not be able to get additional financing either, so be sure to prioritise them above other bills.

If you have a void, do whatever it takes to get the property let.  80% of something is a lot better than 100% of nothing!

Understand that you are not alone and that others can support and help you and may have been through what you are going through and be able to offer a friendly and supportive shoulder to lean on.   That is one of the benefits of being a member of a Tribe!

Please click >>> here to read all the comments to this blog on Property Tribes.  A lot of useful advice has been shared in this particular discussion.

Coming to a town near you ... !



Guildford Grow Business Exhibition - 12th May



Now in its third year, this has been a hugely successful business exhibition for business owners in and around Surrey. We are delighted to have been asked to speak there on our favourite subject of social media.
Our presentation: "Leveraging the power of the social web for business exposure"

Where: Guildford Spectrum, Guildford, Surrey
When: Wednesday 12th May
On-stage: 10a.m until 11a.m (exhibition opens from 9.30am)

Click >>> here for more information: www.GrowYourBusinessEvent.co.uk

Croydon Females in Business - 20th May

Now in its second year, this is a special event for women to benefit from attending dynamic workshops on creating a profitable presence on the web. You will also enjoy networking over a delicious buffet. Plus attend the exhibition to meet potential suppliers. Penny Power is also a keynote speaker at this event.

Our presentation: "Why a portfolio of web content is as valuable as a portfolio of property".

Where: Jury's Inn, Croydon
When: Thursday 20th May
On-stage: 1.30 pm to 2.30pm (exhibition opens from 9.30am)

Click >>>> here for more information: http://croydonfemalesinbusiness.eventbrite.com/

Surrey Social Media Tribes - 27th May



At our Surrey Social Media Tribes networking meeting on 27th May in Guildford, we will be explaining more about Twitter and showing you how to build a targeted following.

Using strategies I have developed for ourselves, we will reveal how to "mine" other people's followings, how to search on Twitter, and how gain traction on Twitter quickly. Bring your laptop and have some hands-on practice with us to guide you. Great networking and education for just £10.00 entry fee means this is a worthy investment of your time.
Our presentation: "How to double your twitter following with targeted connections".

Where: Holiday Inn, Egerton Road, Guildford
When: 27th May 2010
What time: 6.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.

Click >>> here to book your seat. Places are limited, so please BOOK NOW to secure your seat.

Social Media training day at the races at Brighton Racecourse - 28th May

Join us for a day of learning, networking and playing at Brighton Racecourse. There's a half day of social media training, followed by lunch and watching the racing!

Our presentation: "Introduction to how to optimise the social web"

Where: Brighton Racecourse
When: 28th May 2010
What time: 9.00 a.m to 5.30 p.m

Click >>> here for further details and to book your place.

Milton Keynes "How to implement a social media strategy for your business" - training day - 5th June

With our last three training days having sold out, we've booked another one to meet the demand! Does what it says on the tin. The U.K.'s premier introductory social media training course, delivered in bite-sized and easy to digest chunks with strategies to put into action straight away.

Where: DeVere Harben House, Newport Pagnall, Milton Keynes
When: 5th June 2010
What time: 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Click >>> here for further details and to book your place.
Yorkshire Property Tribe inaugural networking meeting - 16th June

Vanessa and Nick head 'Oppp North' to speak at the inaugural Yorkshire Property Tribe networking event, founded by Property Tribe member Rob Hubbard.
Our presentation: "How to leverage the power of the social web in your property business"

Where: The Bridge Inn Hotel, Altofts Lane, Whitwood, Castleford, WF10 5PZ
When: 16th June 2010
What time: 6.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.

Click >>> here for further details and to book your place.
Leicester Social Media Mum - Social Media optimisation coffee morning - 22nd June

Back due to popular demand! Vanessa and Nick join the Social Media Mum, Zoe Newcombe, for a two hour presentation and coffee morning on how to optimise the social web. Specially devised for mum-preneurs and small business owners, this presentation discusses how to create massive business exposure using free web tools.

Our presentation: "Optimising the social web for business exposure"

Where: David Lloyd, Carlton Park, Narborough, Leicester, LE19
When: 22nd June 2010
What time: 11.30 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.

Please click >>> here for full details and to register.


We hope to meet you in person somewhere down the speaker trail!

*Thank you to Ces and Jay Loftus of Creatively Minded for helping us with the graphics.