From Property Flips to a Scottish Aparthotel Development

<p>Michael Mower built his property career by taking on the projects other people avoided—from tired Glasgow flats to fire-damaged auction purchases. After years of running a stressful renovation business, he and his wife Liana decided to start building assets for themselves.</p><p><br></p><p>That change led to successful property flips, buy-to-lets and serviced accommodation. Michael shares the numbers behind a Glasgow flat bought for £39,000 and sold for approximately £85,000, as well as a Newtown Mearns home bought for £350,000 and sold for £650,000.</p><p><br></p><p>Now, Michael is converting a long-empty B-listed building on Callander Main Street into serviced accommodation, commercial space and offices. He talks Nick and Steven through the £100,000 purchase, estimated £250,000 refurbishment and targeted £630,000 end value. He also speaks openly about alcohol addiction, rehab and recovery.</p><p><br></p><p>EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS</p><p>• From plumbing apprentice to running a renovation company</p><p>• Why Michael and Liana stopped renovating for clients and began investing for themselves</p><p>• His first Glasgow flip: bought for £39,000 and sold for approximately £85,000</p><p>• Why their one-bedroom flips typically produced profits of around £35,000–£40,000</p><p>• The Newtown Mearns home bought for £350,000 and sold for £650,000</p><p>• Moving from flips into buy-to-let, auctions and serviced accommodation</p><p>• Michael’s honest experience of alcohol addiction, rehab and recovery</p><p>• Why his serviced accommodation can also work as long-term rental property</p><p>• Callander units listed at approximately £270 and £210 per night</p><p>• Transforming a B-listed building that had been empty for approximately 25–30 years</p><p>• The planned serviced accommodation, commercial and office spaces</p><p>• The £100,000 purchase, £250,000 refurbishment and targeted £630,000 end value</p><p>• How extensive dry rot affected the work and bridging-finance plans</p><p><br></p><p>CHAPTERS</p><p>00:00 - Meet Michael Mower</p><p>00:56 - Michael’s background and early life</p><p>04:58 - From plumbing apprentice to building contractor</p><p>09:23 - Leaving client renovations behind</p><p>11:40 - Flipping property in Glasgow’s south side</p><p>17:08 - The figures behind Michael’s flips</p><p>18:28 - Moving from flipping to holding property</p><p>20:11 - Launching a salon and renovating in Newtown Mearns</p><p>23:16 - Buying property at auction</p><p>25:46 - Alcohol addiction and the road to recovery</p><p>34:35 - Michael’s property portfolio today</p><p>35:25 - Moving into serviced accommodation</p><p>37:28 - Nightly rates for the Callander units</p><p>39:45 - The Callander aparthotel development</p><p>42:50 - The planned layout of the building</p><p>44:35 - Purchase price and due diligence</p><p>46:23 - Refurbishment costs and unexpected dry rot</p><p>48:23 - Funding the development</p><p>49:46 - The targeted £630,000 end value</p><p>50:58 - Local reaction and the planned opening</p><p>53:24 - What comes after the development</p><p>54:20 - Where to follow Michael</p><p><br></p><p>CONNECT WITH MICHAEL</p><p>Michael Mower — Built by Mike</p><p>YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/<a href="https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCjTKUN4C0Bno416m4sjs1wQ"> ⁨@Built_By_Milke⁩ </a> </p><p><br></p><p>NETWORKING EVENTS</p><p>First Wednesday of every month</p><p>📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | Glasgow</p><p>Follow our socials for speakers and details</p><p><br></p><p>SPONSORED BY</p><p>Prime Property Auctions — know someone selling a property? You could earn £1,500 just for making an introduction. John and Luis handle everything from the first call to the sale. Over £350,000 in referral fees paid out so far.</p><p>👉 https://primepropertyauctions.co.uk/</p><p><br></p><p>🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode</p><p>👍 Like the video if you found it valuable</p><p>💬 Would you take on a derelict B-listed building, or stick to smaller property projects? L