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Northern Oak Property Training

@northern_oak_training

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🏠 Helping new investors buy profitable property
🏗️ 94 apartments built in under 6 years
📚 Learn to find, fund & buy deals
👇 Free property training

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10 years ago I was skint, lost, and had no clue what to do with my life. Today, we've built 94 apartments. Here's the bit nobody talks about. 👇

That's me in the first photo. No family money, no leg-up, no contacts. Just a lad trying to work his life out.

It started with one book in 2019. I read it cover to cover and something clicked. It didn't start with money. It started with a decision.

Then I did it the hard way. Labourer on the tools. Then site manager. Then contracts manager. I delivered over 100 apartments. Real sites, real money, real pressure. But I was building all of it for someone else.

So six years ago I backed myself. I left the safety of a wage and started my own company. It was terrifying. It's the best decision I've ever made.

Since then we've developed 94 apartments across the North. Commercial conversions, flips, part-new builds. Forgotten buildings turned into homes.

And here's the part nobody warns you about.

Getting started got lonely. We'd built all of this and had no one around us who truly understood the pressure. The loans. The risk. The nights lying awake wondering if my numbers were right, or if the whole thing was one big mistake.

We had everything we'd worked for, and no one to share the weight of it with.

So I built Northern Oak. Not just to teach property, but to create the thing I was missing. A community of people on the same journey. People who get it, who back each other, who don't have to do any of it alone.

Because property didn't just change what I own. It changed who I am.

If you're where I was once, lost, unsure, staring at a life you haven't started yet, this is for you. Follow along and I'll show you exactly how it's done. The honest way. No fluff, no guru nonsense. And you will not be doing it on your own.

This is Northern Oak.

Part 2 is coming: The Northern Oak Way. Give me a follow so you don't miss it. by @northern_oak_training

The difference between a £50 repair and a £15,000 mistake isn’t luck… it’s knowing what you’re looking at.

Most buyers panic when they see cracks.
Experienced investors ask better questions.

In this reel you’ll learn:
• Which cracks are purely cosmetic ✅
• Which ones could indicate subsidence 🚨
• The red flags you should never ignore
• How a £500 structural engineer’s report could save (or make) you £15,000

The best deals often look scary to everyone else. Knowledge turns fear into profit.

💾 Save this before your next property viewing.
📤 Send it to someone who’s house hunting.
👇 What’s the worst crack you’ve ever seen on a viewing?

#PropertyInvesting #PropertyInvestor #UKProperty #PropertyTips #HouseViewing PropertyDevelopment BuyToLet PropertyEducation RealEstateUK PropertyInvestment Subsidence HomeBuying PropertyDeals InvestorMindset NorthernOak by @northern_oak_training

Most people scroll Rightmove looking at the décor.

Investors should be looking at the cost.

A few photos can tell you whether a deal stacks up before you even book a viewing.

Here’s a simple refurb cheat sheet based on a basic standard spec property and vary by area:

🏡 Kitchen: £4.5-8K
🛁 Bathroom: £4k–£6k
⚡ Full rewire: £4k–£5k
🔥 Boiler & heating: £3k–£4k
🎨 Full redecoration: £3k–£4k
🪵 Flooring: £2k–£3k

Then look for the hidden clues:
• Dated kitchen? Budget for more than just the cabinets.
• Artex ceilings? Consider an asbestos test.
• Worn carpets? Check what could be underneath.
• Old radiators? The heating system may need replacing.

Finally, add a 15% contingency. Something almost always costs more than expected.

Five minutes of analysis can save you thousands.

📌 Save this post so you’ve got it open next time you’re scrolling Rightmove, and share it with someone who’s looking for their next investment property. by @northern_oak_training

🏡 This property problem won’t show up on Rightmove…

You’ve checked the roof, looked for damp and run all the numbers.

But have you checked your phone? 📱

Poor mobile signal and unreliable broadband can be a serious frustration for tenants and future buyers.

Especially with more people working from home.

And here’s the problem…

You could buy a property without ever realising there’s an issue until someone moves in.

Before committing to a purchase:

✅ Check mobile reception in every room.

✅ Check which broadband providers actually service the address.

✅ Check the available speeds, not just what’s advertised in the area.

A profitable property isn’t just about what you pay for it. It’s about how desirable it will be to the next person.

👇 Comment DEALBREAKER and I’ll send you my property viewing checklist so you know what to look for before buying. by @northern_oak_training

This tiny gap could be the difference between a dry house and a damp nightmare. 🏚️

And it’s one of the most overlooked checks on a property viewing.

Every time you view a house, look at the bottom of the external walls.

You’re looking for the damp-proof course (DPC), a barrier designed to stop moisture rising through the brickwork.

Here’s what you need to know 👇

✅ The 150mm rule: Ideally, the DPC should sit at least 150mm above the external ground level. That’s roughly two courses of bricks.

❌ The hidden problem: Patios, driveways and flower beds are often raised over time, reducing that gap or even bridging the DPC.

💧 The consequence: Moisture can bypass the barrier, increasing the risk of damp internally.

💰 The solution: Sometimes correcting the external ground levels is relatively straightforward. But if you miss the cause and just treat the internal walls, the damp can return.

The lesson?

Before spending thousands treating damp inside a property, check what’s happening outside.

A simple 30-second inspection could save you a very expensive mistake.

📚 Want to learn how to spot problems like this BEFORE buying a property?

Comment COMMUNITY to access our FREE property education. by @northern_oak_training

🏡 The most revealing part of a bedroom might be the bit you can’t see.

When viewing a property, don’t just admire the fresh paint and neatly made bed.

Take a closer look behind the headboard, wardrobes and sofas, particularly where they’re positioned against external walls.

Here’s why 👇

Large furniture can restrict airflow against cold walls, creating the perfect conditions for condensation and mould.

Look out for:

🔎 Black speckled mould on the wall

🔎 Peeling wallpaper or bubbling paint

🔎 Musty smells behind furniture

🔎 Damp patches or discoloured plaster

But remember, not every damp patch means an expensive repair.

Condensation, penetrating damp and plumbing leaks can look similar, but the causes and costs can be very different.

The important thing is identifying the source before you buy.

A freshly painted bedroom doesn’t guarantee a dry property.

💬 Comment COMMUNITY to access over 20 hours of FREE property education and learn what to check before buying your first investment property. by @northern_oak_training

This one is for anyone who has capital ready to invest in property but still hasn’t done their first deal.

You promised yourself 2026 would be the year you finally got started.

But here we are, approaching the end of the year, and you’re still in the same position.

So, what’s actually holding you back?

Deal Drought: You’re struggling to find opportunities worth investing in.

Deal Doubt: You’re finding potential deals, but you’re not confident enough to take action.

Both are common barriers, but neither should stop you from moving forward.

Which one are you stuck in?

Comment DROUGHT or DOUBT below, or send me a DM.

I’ll help you work out what’s holding you back and how to overcome it before 2027 begins. by @northern_oak_training

🏠 Can you see daylight through your roof? Here’s what it could mean.

One of the most overlooked parts of a property viewing is the loft.

And it could be hiding one of the biggest expenses you’ll face.

Many older UK properties were built without roofing felt or a modern breathable membrane beneath the tiles.

That means small gaps of daylight can sometimes be visible from inside the loft.

⚠️ Here’s what you need to understand:

Daylight doesn’t automatically mean the roof needs replacing.

But if you can see gaps, there’s a possibility that wind-driven rain or snow could find its way in.

Over time, moisture can lead to:

❌ Rotting roof timbers

❌ Damp insulation and ceilings

❌ Expensive structural repairs

❌ Potential roof replacement costs

Before buying, check the loft for daylight, water staining, damp timbers and signs of previous leaks.

A few small gaps aren’t necessarily a disaster, but widespread defects could mean a much bigger roofing bill.

Never assume a roof is sound just because the tiles look fine from the street.

👇 Comment COMMUNITY for access to over 20 hours of FREE property education. by @northern_oak_training

Would you know what to look for before buying a property with an old garage? 👀

That grey, corrugated roof might look harmless, but it could contain asbestos.

Asbestos cement was commonly used on garage roofs, sheds and outbuildings across the UK, particularly before it was banned in 1999.

Here’s what property investors need to understand:

🏠 Asbestos isn’t automatically dangerous when left undisturbed. The risk increases when materials are broken, drilled, cut or damaged.

🔨 Not all asbestos removal requires a licensed contractor. Some asbestos cement work is legally non-licensed, but it still requires appropriate precautions, handling and disposal.

💰 Demolition costs can quickly change your numbers. If you’re planning to remove an old garage, establish whether asbestos is present and obtain a proper removal quote before committing.

And remember, you cannot reliably identify asbestos just by looking at it. Testing is the way to confirm it.

A garage roof might seem like a small detail during a viewing, but overlooking it could affect your renovation budget.

Comment COMMUNITY to access our free property education and learn how to spot potential problems before buying. by @northern_oak_training

DealDoubt looks sensible from the outside.

You're looking at sites.
Saving deals.
Running numbers.
Asking three people what they think.

It feels like research.

But deep down, you still don't know if what you're looking at is actually valuable.

And if you can't see the value, you can't trust the deal.

I've watched over 3,300 people try to get into property.

The ones still stuck are usually trapped in the same place.

DealDoubt.

One of our students joined us knowing nothing.

They didn't know what to buy.

They didn't know where to buy.

They didn't know how to look at a site and say, "Yes, there's value here."

So we gave them a value finder.

Once they could actually see where the value was, the whole thing changed.

They stopped asking everyone else if the deal was good.

They started making decisions.

Now they're not ending 2026 still thinking about property.

They're ending 2026 buying their second property.

That’s the difference.

The person with a value finder moves while everyone else is still asking, "Is this a good deal?"

And if you don't know what makes a site valuable, every deal feels risky.

That’s not caution.

That’s DealDoubt wearing a sensible jacket.

So before you look at another property, decide exactly what makes a site valuable.

Otherwise, you’re trying to make a buying decision with vibes and panic.

And that is a terrible investment strategy.

If you can’t find the value, you’ll keep finding excuses.

I’m opening 10 spots for people who want to buy their first property by day 60 of 2027.

If you want to get set up before the year is out and move with no messing around, comment “60” below 🏗️🏗️🏗️ by @northern_oak_training

🚨 Why would someone paint just ONE patch of a wall?

You’re viewing an older property. The walls are tired, the decoration is dated, but there’s one suspiciously fresh patch of paint.

It might be completely innocent. But it could also be covering something you really need to know about.

Here’s what I’d be checking:

🔎 Location: Is it near a window, chimney breast, external wall or ceiling corner? These are common areas for moisture problems.

💧 Previous water damage: Fresh paint can temporarily disguise old water staining without addressing the cause.

🏚️ Damp problems: Painting over a damp patch doesn’t fix the source of moisture. Staining and peeling paint can return.

📋 Ask questions: Why was only that section painted? Was there a leak? What repairs were carried out?

Remember, fresh paint isn’t proof of a problem. But unexplained, isolated redecorating deserves a closer look.

The lesson? Don’t just inspect what’s old. Pay attention to what’s suspiciously new.

👇 Comment COMMUNITY to access our FREE property education and learn how to spot potential problems before buying your next investment. by @northern_oak_training

🏚️ This tiny grille could save you thousands in repairs.

When viewing an older property, one of the most important things to check is also one of the easiest to overlook.

The air bricks. 🧱

These small ventilation grilles are commonly found near ground level on older UK properties, particularly those with suspended timber floors.

But why are they so important?

💨 1️⃣ They keep your floors ventilated

Many older properties have timber floorboards supported by wooden joists, with a ventilated void underneath.

Air bricks allow fresh air to circulate beneath the property, helping moisture evaporate and reducing the risk of timber decay.

🚫 2️⃣ Blocked air bricks can cause serious problems

Homeowners often accidentally block them by:

❌ Raising patios or driveways above their level.

❌ Painting over or sealing the openings.

❌ Installing decking that restricts airflow.

❌ Filling them with mortar during renovations.

Without adequate ventilation, moisture can accumulate beneath the floor.

🪵 3️⃣ Damp timber can eventually rot

Persistent moisture can lead to:

⚠️ Rotten floor joists and floorboards.

⚠️ Fungal growth beneath the property.

⚠️ Soft, springy or uneven floors.

⚠️ Expensive structural repairs.

🔎 4️⃣ What should you check during a viewing?

✅ Are the air bricks above external ground level?

✅ Are the openings clear of paint, mortar and debris?

✅ Is there ventilation on different sides of the property?

✅ Are there signs of dampness or springy timber floors?

💷 5️⃣ A cheap fix could prevent an expensive repair

Clearing a blocked air brick can cost next to nothing.

Replacing rotten floor joists and floorboards could cost thousands.

However, reopening ventilation won’t necessarily fix existing timber damage or other sources of moisture.

The lesson?

Never underestimate the small details when viewing a property. What looks insignificant today could become a major refurbishment expense tomorrow.

💬 Comment “COMMUNITY” to access over 20 hours of FREE property education and learn how to spot costly mistakes before buying your next investment property. by @northern_oak_training