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.
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.
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.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
• From plumbing apprentice to running a renovation company
• Why Michael and Liana stopped renovating for clients and began investing for themselves
• His first Glasgow flip: bought for £39,000 and sold for approximately £85,000
• Why their one-bedroom flips typically produced profits of around £35,000–£40,000
• The Newtown Mearns home bought for £350,000 and sold for £650,000
• Moving from flips into buy-to-let, auctions and serviced accommodation
• Michael’s honest experience of alcohol addiction, rehab and recovery
• Why his serviced accommodation can also work as long-term rental property
• Callander units listed at approximately £270 and £210 per night
• Transforming a B-listed building that had been empty for approximately 25–30 years
• The planned serviced accommodation, commercial and office spaces
• The £100,000 purchase, £250,000 refurbishment and targeted £630,000 end value
• How extensive dry rot affected the work and bridging-finance plans
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Meet Michael Mower
00:56 - Michael’s background and early life
04:58 - From plumbing apprentice to building contractor
09:23 - Leaving client renovations behind
11:40 - Flipping property in Glasgow’s south side
17:08 - The figures behind Michael’s flips
18:28 - Moving from flipping to holding property
20:11 - Launching a salon and renovating in Newtown Mearns
23:16 - Buying property at auction
25:46 - Alcohol addiction and the road to recovery
34:35 - Michael’s property portfolio today
35:25 - Moving into serviced accommodation
37:28 - Nightly rates for the Callander units
39:45 - The Callander aparthotel development
42:50 - The planned layout of the building
44:35 - Purchase price and due diligence
46:23 - Refurbishment costs and unexpected dry rot
48:23 - Funding the development
49:46 - The targeted £630,000 end value
50:58 - Local reaction and the planned opening
53:24 - What comes after the development
54:20 - Where to follow Michael
CONNECT WITH MICHAEL
Michael Mower — Built by Mike
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ @Built_By_Milke
NETWORKING EVENTS
First Wednesday of every month
📍 Aberdeen | Dundee | Edinburgh | Glasgow
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👉 https://primepropertyauctions.co.uk/
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💬 Would you take on a derelict B-listed building, or stick to smaller property projects? Let us know in the comments 👇
