It is a “product” that lasts a lifetime. At least, if it is properly maintained. Every country has its own construction methods and architecture. Homes don’t go “out of fashion” or quickly become outdated due to new innovations, as is the case with smartphones, for example.
Moreover, it is one of the most essential basic human needs, alongside food and water. A need that will always exist, regardless of the era we live in.
As a young boy, I used to walk around in my father’s staircase factory, right in the heart of the country. A place that smelled like “construction.” I quickly knew that I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps, and also those of my grandfather (chief site manager at construction company Boele & van Eesteren). Exactly how, I didn’t yet know at the time.
I chose to study Construction Engineering & Real Estate, followed by Commercial Economics. The combination of commerce, entrepreneurship, and the construction and real estate sector turned out to be a perfect fit. During my studies in Utrecht, I first came into contact with real estate—though unconsciously. As a student, finding a room was quite a challenge. After much searching and interviewing, my father suggested looking into buying a house. After all, it was 2011, a time when properties were practically “up for grabs.” Shortly after, five of us were living just near the center of Utrecht. Only later did I realize that this was not only a generous gesture from my father, but also a smart investment.
After completing my studies, I started working at a real estate agency with multiple offices. In the new-build department, our team sold many homes in areas such as Leidsche Rijn (Utrecht) and Gouda Westergouwe. I began to understand the real estate and brokerage profession better and better. It felt familiar, partly because my partner worked as a real estate agent and valuer at her father’s firm.
My career as a real estate agent transitioned into various roles within construction and production companies, always focused on sales and marketing.
At the same time, I have been an entrepreneur since my student days. I have started several businesses, ranging from webshops to sports ventures and mobile apps.
In 2019, however, my life changed drastically when my partner suffered a severe relapse of ME/CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome). She was forced to stop working and spent much of her time resting and sleeping. This period, combined with a renovation and a move, was incredibly tough.
Yet this situation also made me reflect deeply on the choices I was making and what the future would hold. I realized that having an additional source of income alongside my salary was essential, so we would no longer be dependent on two incomes. Especially since it was uncertain whether that would ever be possible again.
I started reading books about real estate and mindset. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki was indispensable. My goal became clear: to build an additional income stream that could replace my partner’s income or at least provide us with greater financial security. Whether it was taking a break from work, traveling, or funding our children’s education, the benefits were obvious.
Everything fell into place when we had the opportunity to keep our old home after moving. We decided to rent it out—and that tasted like more. We explored all possibilities and opportunities in the Netherlands and quickly took action. Unfortunately, the Netherlands did not meet our expectations in terms of returns and purchase prices. Moreover, it often didn’t feel ethically right, especially since many friends were struggling to find housing at the time.
At the end of 2020, we decided to look beyond our borders. We researched countries such as Spain, Dubai, Portugal, Mexico, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Ultimately, the United Kingdom stood out head and shoulders above the rest. The country faced a major housing shortage, was English-speaking, had a stable economy, and offered relatively low purchase prices. The real estate opportunities were enormous.
We started with the “rent-to-rent” strategy: renting a property and then subletting it, for example to tourists. This approach was initially successful, with a coastal hotel as the highlight.
But shortly afterward, everything collapsed due to two bankruptcies of key partners, resulting in significant losses.
Although this was a low point, it also brought valuable lessons. During this period, I built a strong and reliable network. I did not give up and was determined to continue. Purchasing my first property in South Wales became a reality.
This path felt like my destination. In 2021, I decided to fully focus on my real estate activities. I dedicated all my energy to expanding my network, building my own portfolio, and guiding other Dutch investors through the same steps (more than 75 people through coaching, property tours, and consultancy).
Our portfolio, in addition to several Buy-to-Let properties, consists of larger transformation projects that we acquire jointly and convert into residential real estate. Currently, I am working on five transformations at different stages:
- Transforming a listed historic hotel into six apartments and a restaurant.
- Converting an office building into four apartments.
- Redeveloping a pub and hotel into seven apartments.
- Transforming a listed notary office into an HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) with nine rooms.
- Converting a restaurant into an HMO with eight rooms.
With Albion Invest, everything comes together for me: entrepreneurship, creating something meaningful, helping other investors, and building valuable connections.
I would love to help you as an investor and get to know you personally. Hopefully, we will speak soon!
Thank you for reading! 😊
