26 November, 2024

Episode 25 – Empty Property Hunting (with Simon Taylor)

In this episode, Ruban Selvanayagam from national homebuying company Property Solvers delves into the fascinating world of empty property finding with Simon Taylor, the driving force behind Empty Property Hunters. Simon’s unique approach focuses on uncovering abandoned and neglected properties, reconnecting them with owners, and giving them a new lease of life.

With a rich background in estate agency and a passion for adding value to properties, Simon shares the journey that led him to focus on empty homes. From tracing owners across continents to dealing with complex probate cases and sentimental attachments, Empty Property Hunters is on a mission to bring these dormant assets back into use.

Simon highlights some shocking statistics: over 300,000 homes in England alone are sitting empty, a number that dwarfs the country’s homeless population. He shares the challenges and quirks of this niche market, such as uncovering properties left abandoned for decades or persuading owners who aren’t motivated by money to consider selling.

This episode is packed with insights, from spotting the telltale signs of an empty property to how Simon’s team uses everything from neighbourly chats to advanced tools like Ancestry to track down elusive owners.