The answer to this depends pretty much on the type of property project you are working on, or plan to tackle. And obviously the type of property you own is relevant too. You’d probably expect me to say, ‘Yes, go to everything if you can!’ But actually, some are organised better than others and I’d recommend to anyone thinking of coming along to a show to do a bit of homework first. If it’s a ‘First-Time Buyer’ Show, for instance, then there might not be much point if you’re a seasoned house-buyer, unless you have time on your hands. Otherwise you’re wasting time and effort if you come away feeling you’ve been fleeced, or simply without really picking up any useful information.
Which shows are coming up that I recommend you go to?
As someone who attends a lot of shows through the year, I’ve got a ‘feel’ for how they are run and whether I think particular shows have universal appeal, or are more for homeowners in niche properties or markets. The next show I’m attending is coming up later this week:
The Landlord Investment Show in Woking Surrey, on Thursday 29th January 10am – 4 pm
The brief for this show is that it ‘connects landlord, investors, developers and property professionals with industry leaders and suppliers who can help with all aspects of buy-to-let’ so it’s certainly a good one for landlords, investors, and the like to put in the diary. It’s free to attend and there are more than 40 companies exhibiting, besides seven speakers, including myself, giving free seminars throughout the day. Take a look at their website to see the exciting range of exhibits and seminars going on on the 29th. Don’t forget that there will be cheap deals on offer that you may not get to know about elsewhere, so whether you’re and investor, a renovator or a developer, you’d be daft not to go!
I’d love to see you at the show, so why don’t you come along to my seminar at 12.30? I’ll be talking about ‘How to maximise your buy-to-let in Surrey’ and giving the low-down on what’s happening in the local market, what to invest in, and where. There will be plenty of time for questions so do pop in and join the discussion.
Although the show’s focus is on the property market in Woking, there will be plenty to interest you if you hail from further afield!
The National Self-Build and Renovation Centre (NSBRC) at Swindon is an amazing place to go to for researching your property project, whether it’s buying land and building, or just putting in a new window. I was lucky enough to help set up the Centre a few years ago, and know it inside out, so I really can recommend it wholeheartedly for a visit!
A big part of the Centre’s activities is running shows all though the year on how to build, or make your home eco-friendly. Every week there’s ‘Walk-In Wednesday’, and on Fridays there’s the Renovation House Tour at 2 pm. If you’re contemplating buying an older property that you plan to ‘do up’, this is a must-visit. And every Saturday at 12.00 you can go on the ‘Self-Build Educational Tour’, where you can learn everything there is to know about building your own home.
The Centre also runs a monthly ‘Ask an Architect’ session, and there are self-build courses and eco workshops throughout the year, so it really is worth having a look at their website to see what’s coming up and whether there’s anything you fancy. There’s always something going on in the Live Demo Area too.
We’re so lucky in the UK to have the centre, as it’s actually the only one in Europe, designed specifically to meet the needs of self-builders, renovators and home improvers.
If you could do with a bit of inspiration, want to learn more about some aspect of building, or just need some advice, all of this is free and yours for the taking. You’ll also be able to check out a range of services and products on display in a pressure-free space that will make your property project that bit easier, from your initial idea right through to putting in the final touches.
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