Reading October 2025 Meeting 

Time Freedom Through Property Development - Jo Balston

Are you looking to escape the constraints of a 9-to-5 job or a demanding business?
How would you like to transform not just your finances but your entire lifestyle?
Property developer Jo will share why small-scale property development could be your ticket to time freedom, and how small projects can deliver life-changing results in a relatively short timeframe. 

You will learn:

• Why small-scale property development is ideal for first-time developers
• The system you need to follow to take control of your life
• The biggest mistakes new developers make
• How you can get started, even if you have no experience
• 
  If you’re ready to break free from the grind of a traditional job and build a future with more freedom, flexibility, and financial security, this talk is for you.

About Jo Balston
Jo is an interior design professional with over 20 years’ experience in the construction industry. She is also an established property developer, having founded New Light Property Group in 2019, and is a Branding Coach and Accountability Coach at propertyCEO.

ALSO...Unlocking HMO Value in Reading - Andrei Varban

Andrei Varban is a portfolio landlord who has built 12 high-yield HMOs and delivered over 10 turnkey projects in partnership with his wife – a senior construction manager with nine years of industry experience. With a professional background in IT at companies such as Vodafone, Shell, and Baker Hughes, Andrei brings a system-driven, agile mindset to property investing, continually improving processes and learning new strategies. Based in Reading, he has personally viewed more than 500 properties and forged strong relationships with local agents and landlords, enabling him to secure off-market deals. By leveraging the Buy, Refurbish, Refinance (BRR) strategy, he typically recycles his capital within two years and achieves gross yields in excess of 12%.

He has travelled to over 30 countries, but property remains his true passion—in fact, “HMO” was one of his daughter’s first words. His approach to investing is grounded and data-driven, focused on solving problems, building strong networks, and creating win-win solutions for all parties involved.

During Andrei's presentation you will learn:

• From Flips to HMOs: A firsthand journey from property flips and buy-to-lets to developing high-performing HMOs in Reading.
• Why HMOs Work in Reading: Insights into what makes Reading an ideal location for HMOs, and strategies to unlock their full potential in this market.
• BRR in Action: How implementing the Buy, Refurbish, Refinance strategy can lead to a full return of invested capital within two to three years — and the key pitfalls to avoid along the way.
• Property Tips & Tricks: Practical advice on property selection criteria, brief case studies, and lessons learned — highlighting what to look for, what to avoid, and how to maximise returns.