As well as juggling her busy life as a working mum of two, Natalie Windsor is well on her way to a three-property portfolio – less than two years since she joined the franchise alongside her auntie, Sue.
Natalie, who is also Platinum’s Head of Partnerships, and Sue became fully fledged franchise partners late in 2019 and set about finding their first property to convert into a high-end co-living home.
With the support of Platinum’s buying mentor, they completed the purchase of that maiden property in early March 2020.
Then, just 10 days later, the UK was plunged into lockdown.
“The lockdown was a stressful time,” said Natalie.
“Not only did we have this property and no way of really pressing on with renovating it, but I was also combining my job with homeschooling my daughter and looking after my three-year-old son.
“Evenings were spent looking at floor plans, architect’s drawings, and quotes.
“But while it was a hugely busy and stressful time, it did allow us to really study the finer points of the property and think about what our potential tenants would want and need in a world post-Covid.
“Doing a property investment strategy like co-living is complex, so having my Platinum mentors with me at this point was an amazing safety net.”
Fast forward nine months and just before Christmas 2021, Natalie and Sue’s first project was completed with six housemates renting her co-living property’s rooms.
“I feel really proud to have played my part in creating an incredible home for six people,” says Natalie.
“It’s been an incredibly tough two years for all of us, but as with anything, there are always people who have suffered more than others.
“A couple of the guys living in our first property had been through some terrible times recently, so having the stability of an amazing home with great people is a real boost for them.
“Of course, for us it’s a business, too, and our numbers with the first property stacked up really well and have enabled us to start work on second and third properties nearby.
“There’s no way we could have built a three-property portfolio so quickly, and during the pandemic, without all the expertise and guidance we’ve had from Platinum.”
Properties two and three, meanwhile, are in renovation and both due to open their front doors to a new batch of housemates later in 2022.
Natalie added: “As a working mum juggling everything life throws at me with two children aged under 10, it makes me so happy to know what we’ve created with Platinum will benefit them in the future, too.
“We’re creating a legacy for them and that brings me peace of mind.”