ZEN Properties Podcast

A podcast about building long term wealth and cashflowing businesses through real estate. Dive into interviews with industry legends, content packed with actionable tips and relaxed banter.

ZEN Properties Podcast is a business podcast hosted by Maggie & Mac Deryng, with 15 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Maggie & Mac Deryng hosts ZEN Properties Podcast, a business show with 15 episodes published.

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  Episode #15

  015 Design That Pays: Architecture, Interiors & GDV with Ben Richards

  Mar 27, 20261h 25mS0

  <p >Ben Richards — RIBA-chartered architect, founder of Aura Architecture & Interiors, and co-host of the XP Property Podcast — joins us to break down what great design actually does for your numbers.</p> <p > </p> <p >What we cover:</p> What most SME developers still get wrong about architects and design The fundamentals that never change, no matter the scale of the project Exactly how Aura works with clients — from brief to build Whether premium design and interiors genuinely moves GDV, and by how much How to select finishes — and how to avoid the "expensive reno, boring result" trap A real-world cost and timel...

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  Episode #14

  014 Derelict cottage conversion to holiday let

  Feb 26, 202652 minS0

  <p >We turned a derelict cottage into a high-end holiday let — and the numbers might surprise you.</p> <p > </p> <p >What we cover:</p> <p >• Full acquisition breakdown (£543k purchase)</p> <p >• Build cost reality (£430k+ SOW)</p> <p >• Finance costs over 10–12 months</p> <p >• Total project cost: £1.15m+</p> <p >• Conservative vs expected exit scenarios</p> <p >• 75% LTV refinance strategy</p> <p >• £36k–£42k annual net profit projections</p> <p >• 13.5% vs 29% yield explained</p> <p >• What nearly went wrong</p> <p >• Why design and positioning change everything</p> <p > </p> <p >Our companies:</p> ZEN Stays — £1.1m annual turnover through Serviced Accommodat...

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  Episode #13

  013 Master HMOs – Central Suites Style

  Feb 12, 20261h 32mS0

  <p >Most HMOs are average. Central Suites aren't. In this episode, Jack and Rob break down how they build design-led co-living homes that young professionals actually choose — and how they scale without chaos.</p> <p > </p> <p >What we cover:</p> What Central Suites really is (beyond "just HMOs") The brutal lessons from their first property How they split roles and run multiple businesses The exact tenant profile they target — and who they avoid What actually makes tenants stay longer How they stage rooms to outperform the local market Pricing strategy: why they charge more and still fill fast Their full...

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  Episode #12

  012 Screw New Year's Resolutions

  Jan 29, 20261h 4mS0

  <p >This episode is a no-BS portfolio and business update — what's working, what's breaking, and what we're changing going into 2026.</p> <p > </p> <p >What we cover:</p> Real portfolio updates from Mawsley, Cotswolds and Swadlincote What actually rents fast vs what looks good on paper Lessons from being £70k over budget (and how it could've been avoided) Why we're restructuring our serviced accommodation businesses ZEN Management: what it is and why we're launching it Why New Year's resolutions are mostly a lie — and what to do instead Reducing expensive debt without killing momentum Getting clarity on A&L, P&L and...

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  Episode #11

  011 SAP, EPCs & Building Regulations Explained

  Jan 15, 20261h 27mS0

  <p >Most property projects don't fail on bricks and mortar — they fail on compliance, energy performance, and details developers underestimate.</p> <p > </p> <p >In this episode, we sit down with Productive Energy founder Nate to demystify SAP, EPCs, ventilation, airtightness, and sound testing — and show you how to get them right first time.</p> <p > </p> <p >What we cover:</p> What SAP assessments really are — and why they matter more than most developers think The biggest EPC killers in refurbishments, HMOs, and conversions SAP Design vs SAP As-Built (and why missing documents can cost you money) Easy, low-cost upgrades...

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