The Wilsons - 875 buy to let property empire

Max_Headroom_3

tintaja wrote: »

You have to remember we're mathematicians, so a million is just a one with six noughts on the end. It takes more than a few noughts to frighten us."

And there, in that one sentance, is exactly why they will end up in sh!tcreek.

A million isn't "just a one with six noughts after it", it's a huge, massive, almost incomprehensible amount of money.

If they couldn't figure that out then it's no wonder they're doomed.

Max_Headroom_3

tintaja wrote: »

Check out this little gem - an interview with the Wilsons from two years ago, they explain their 'magic formula' in more detail.

My favourite:

Mrs Wilson concurs, albeit in more measured tones befitting a former deputy headmistress. "You've got to say to yourself: 'What's the worst that can happen?'" she says. "The worst thing is that you'll have to sell the second house. But so what? You'll still have the one you live in.

and this one:

"The key is not to take it all so seriously. It's only a game. You have to remember we're mathematicians, so a million is just a one with six noughts on the end. It takes more than a few noughts to frighten us."


Just as well, i say...

link:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-431224/How-maths-teachers-clocked-707-houses-240m-fortune.html

That is an absolutely fantastic interview!! :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Some of my favourite gems:

Fergus Wilson promises to provide the answers in a new TV show, which he describes as a hybrid of The Apprentice and Dragons' Den, with elements borrowed from the X Factor.
A pilot show is expected to be broadcast later this year. Would-be house-buyers will compete for mortgages, and he will act as their nononsense mentor.
His wife wants no part in the programme.
"I'm not interested in providing free advice that might backfire," she says curtly. Instead, Mrs Wilson will impart her wisdom at Imperial College, London, where she was recently appointed as an Adjunct Professor.


They began to do some homework. Research told them that over the past century, prices had doubled every seven years and various pointers convinced them this was set to continue indefinitely.
The most important was the law of supply and demand. Britain was then - and remains - chronically short of houses. Therefore, it will always be a seller's market.
"The only way you can ever stop house prices from rising is by building too many houses," says Mr Wilson.
"For environmental reasons, the Government won't allow that to happen."


But less than 15 years ago, the Wilsons were still chalking the boards for modest salaries. Now, they rank between Phil Collins and the Duke of Beaufort on Britain's Rich List, and should comfortably overtake the likes of Madonna when the next one is published this spring.



Now, their spree has slowed only slightly, but they are still confident they will pass the 800 mark by the end of 2007.
"It could reach 1,000," says Mr Wilson. "There is no limit



Their ideal buy-to-let is a smart two-up, two- down mid-terrace house, typically costing about £180,000. Bigger properties are more difficult to let, and do not appreciate in value as quickly.




But when it comes to the property game, Fergus and Judith Wilson are in a class all of their own.

Jennifer_Jane

I hope that all MSE-ers, at least, will boycott watching the pilot show!

Jen
x

Max_Headroom_3

Well given that the article was written in January 2007 and the pilot show was due to be "later that year", I think we can safely assume that it's been quietly shelved.

I wonder how the Adjunct Professor is getting on?

PasturesNew

Max_Headroom wrote: »

Their ideal buy-to-let is a smart two-up, two- down mid-terrace house, typically costing about £180,000. Bigger properties are more difficult to let, and do not appreciate in value as quickly.

Extrapolate that one sentence mathematically and it means a 2-up-2-down will quickly overtake a 3-bed in value, then a 4-bed.... until eventually it's worth more than the Queen's house!

SRSLY.... can these two DO maths?

carolt

Absolutely shocking.

Thanks for the clips, Max.

Ah well - nemesis is what comes to those who display hubris on such a grand scale.

Let's hope their tenants aren't negatively affected.

Should imagine they're laughing their socks off..... :rolleyes:

Kez100

I was waiting for the comment which never came...

"Minus? Negative? What's that? You have to remember we were only Primary School mathematicians. "

Kez100

I wonder if they will do a special edition of Monopoly based on the Wilsons?

"Go straight to the Official Receiver. Do not pass go"

Community chest card:

You have been fined £50 for entering a beauty competition when you clearly didn't qualify.


.....must be millions of ideas out there.....

PasturesNew

Kez100 wrote: »

.....must be millions of ideas out there.....

When another player lands on your property YOU have to pay £1000 to top up the mortgage.

Max_Headroom_3

Their ideal buy-to-let is a smart two-up, two- down mid-terrace house, typically costing about £180,000.

So what are these actually selling for now?

Know that, and you'll know their chances of survival.