Gary Bees

WORK HISTORY

ABOUT GARY BEES

I am the founder of The Property Saints, a Northampton property agency. Since January, 2010, we have done everything estate agents don\'t do, such as lease options, HMO accommodation and repossession prevention.Alongside this, I run the Northampton Property Meet, a networking event that takes place 10 times a year and regularly attracts 30 - 80 attendees.(April 20••••17)With a portfolio of 54 properties, property is my passion, though it\'s been hard work. I came to the UK from my native South Africa with £200, 2 suitcases and a mobile phone (Nokia 1100). I don\'t wish to paint my career as a rags to riches story but it is a story of commitment.At the age of 18, after my father\'s death, I was forced to take control of his business, this not only gave me business acumen but taught me to think on my feet.With little to my name, moving to the UK was a risk. My first job was in a kitchen as a kitchen porter, although I soon became a waiter, I quickly released I didn\'t want this as a career. Though I was soon able to fulfill my passion for property with a job at Taylors Estate Agents. It was at this time that I also made my first property investment. Always ready to admit my failings, I struggled to make my targets at Taylors, so reluctantly decided it wasn\'t for me. I spent a year working in debt collection before deciding to utilise my head for numbers by applying to be a trainee accountant at Ellacotts LLP. After just one interview I was given a job.Shortly afterwards I decided to invest heavily in property, re-mortgaging my first investment property I began to build up my portfolio – from October 2007 to November 2008 I had acquired 22 properties and made property my career.