In this episode of the Scottish Property Podcast, Nick and Steven sit down with Declan, founder of Vitality Property, who at just 24 years old has gone from plumbing apprentice to running a thriving refurbishment business and completing multiple property deals – including highly profitable assisted sales.
Declan shares his remarkable journey from leaving school at 16, experimenting with side hustles like Amazon FBA and crypto, to building a trusted refurbishment company that now generates off-market deal flow. From his first buy-to-let and early flips to teaming up with other investors and raising £275K in just two days, this is a masterclass in hustle, networking, and creative property strategies.
🎙️ Episode Highlights
🏗️ From Apprentice to Property Entrepreneur
Growing up in Croydon before moving to Scotland
Leaving school at 16 to become a plumbing & heating engineer
How his trade background became the foundation for his property journey
💡 Early Side Hustles & First Property Steps
Amazon FBA, crypto, and reselling – lessons learned from failed and modest successes
Investing in mentorship and paying £6k for property training at age 20
Buying his first flat, learning about yields, cashflow, and tax pitfalls
🔨 Flips, Refurbs, and Learning the Hard Way
Turning a heating job lead into a profitable flip in just a few months
The Paisley project: overspending, travel challenges, and why he’d never do it again
Building credibility and leads through his refurbishment business
🏠 Mastering the Assisted Sale Strategy
How assisted sales work and why they benefit sellers and investors
Legal safeguards: charges on title, option-to-buy clauses, and ensuring all owners agree
Case studies of successful assisted sales – including inherited properties
🤝 Collaboration & Raising Finance
Partnering with Kyle White and the Scope Property team to scale projects
Raising £275K in two days through networking and past clients
Leveraging other people’s skills and networks for bigger deals
📈 Scaling Up & Diversifying
Building a pipeline including flips, buy-to-lets, serviced accommodation, and commercial conversions
Why collaboration beats competition in the Scottish property market
Using social proof and track record to win trust with sellers and investors
If you’ve ever wondered how to turn trade skills into a property portfolio – or want to understand the assisted sale model from someone doing it right now – this episode is packed with actionable insights.