MKM Housing

Here's a question we get asked a lot: "How do you find properties before they go on Rightmove?" The short answer is: relationships, reputation, and patience. The longer answer is what this blog post is about. Off-market property deals — transactions that take place without being publicly listed on portals or with estate agents — represent a significant and often overlooked segment of the property market. For investors who know how to access them, they can offer better pricing, less competition, and faster execution. For those who don't, they remain frustratingly invisible. Let's change that. What "Off-Market" Actually Means An off-market property is one where the seller is willing to transact — but hasn't listed the property publicly. There's no Rightmove listing. No For Sale board. No estate agent brochure. This happens for several reasons: -        The seller values privacy and doesn't want neighbours or tenants to know -...

Every year for the past five years, someone has declared that HMOs are dead. Licensing requirements. Article 4 Directions. Mortgage regulation changes. Universal Credit delays. The Renters' Rights Bill. And every year, experienced property investors quietly keep buying them. Here's the truth: HMOs — Houses in Multiple Occupation — remain the single highest-yielding mainstream residential property strategy in the UK. Not despite the regulatory complexity. Sometimes, because of it. Let's break down why — with real numbers, honest caveats, and a clear picture of what the market looks like in 2026. What Is an HMO? An HMO is a property rented by three or more unrelated tenants who share common facilities like kitchens and bathrooms. Properties rented to five or more tenants forming more than one household, in a building of three or more storeys, require a mandatory HMO licence from the local council under the Housing Act 2004. Many councils — including Birm...