In this episode, Michael sits down with Deepak Ohri, Partner at Merali Beedle and one of the more colourful characters in specialist property law. The conversation is wide-ranging, frank, and refreshingly commercial: from why every lawyer ought to run a business before they can truly understand risk, to the creeping post-COVID decline in legal service quality, the case for and against title insurance and indemnity policies, and a candid dissection of fraud in property transactions — including a shared episode that Deepak and Michael were both involved in. They also dig into the state of the market, why now might be a generational buying opportunity for block purchases, the enduring appeal of HMOs, and why some bridge lenders were never really cut out for development in the first place.

Deepak opens up about the commercial instincts he developed long before law — from market stalls to helping his wife build a restaurant business — and why that real-world grounding shapes how he handles risk and client relationships today. He and Michael unpick the hidden cost of using a cheap conveyancer, how lenders’ and borrowers’ lawyers can do more to stop transactions grinding to a halt, and the uncomfortable truth that valuations are far more subjective — and far less reliable as security — than many bridging lenders seem to appreciate. They close with Deepak’s advice to his younger self: get out there, meet different people, and think about things in a wider way.

Guest: Deepak Ohri, Partner, Merali Beedle

Guest Socials: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deepak-o-44b2b33a/

Sponsored by:

Avamore Capital

https://avamorecapital.com

#SpecialistFinance #PropertyFinance #BridgingFinance #DevelopmentFinance #SpecialistLending #PropertyLaw #Conveyancing #FraudPrevention #HMO #PropertyDevelopment #RealEstateFinance #TitleInsurance #IndemnityPolicy #DevelopmentLending #ValuationRisk #BuyingOpportunity #MarketOutlook #LegalProfession #MeraliBeedle #AvaMoreCapital

Chapters:

00:00:00 – Why every lawyer should run a business

00:06:43 – Theoretical lawyers and the cost of opportunistic title disputes

00:13:02 – The restaurant world, food influencers, and running a service business

00:15:41 – Post-COVID legal quality: fees up, service down

00:19:43 – Streamlining transactions and the hidden cost of cheap conveyancers

00:24:44 – Title insurance and indemnity policies: are they fit for purpose?

00:26:39 – Fraud in property transactions and how to mitigate it

00:30:34 – Market themes: equity gaps, refinancing pressure, and a tough environment

00:35:17 – Generational buying opportunity: blocks, discounts, and stamp duty strategy

00:40:52 – HMOs, assisted living, and 2026 market themes

00:46:36 – Development lenders pulling back — and the bridging oversaturation problem

00:51:47 – Valuation risk: why 65% LTGDV dev might be safer than 75% LTV bridging

00:53:43 – Advice to your younger self

Michael Dean sits down with Saam Lowni, founder and director of Maryoaks, to talk about scaling a specialist finance brokerage from a two-person operation to a growing team, the realities of doing 60 deals in 12 months, and why development finance enquiries are finally picking back up. They get into the weeds on AI’s impact on brokers and lenders, whether we’ve hit peak HMO, the case for commercial property investment, and how podcasting has become a genuine business differentiator. Saam also shares a powerful personal perspective on gratitude, identity, and making the most of the opportunities life throws your way.

Guest: Saam Lowni – Founder & Director, Maryoaks

Guest Socials: www.maryoaks.com | https://www.linkedin.com/in/saamlowni/

Sponsored by:

Avamore Capital

https://avamorecapital.com

CHAPTERS

00:00:00 – Introduction & Catching Up

00:06:04 – Maryoaks: 2025 in Review

00:11:18 – Adding Protection & New Revenue Streams

00:17:22 – Podcasting as a Business Differentiator

00:22:28 – AI, Tech & the Future of Broking

00:30:26 – Human vs AI Underwriting – Who Wins?

00:38:52 – Tech Platforms & Packaging Applications

00:46:22 – Commercial Property & Investment Strategy

00:53:31 – Peak HMO, Planning Reform & Development Trends

01:00:31 – Family, Gratitude & Perspective

#SpecialistFinance #PropertyFinance #BridgingFinance #DevelopmentFinance #CommercialProperty #HMO #AI #PropTech #Brokerage #PropertyInvestment #BusinessGrowth #Podcasting #TeamBuilding #Entrepreneurship #PropertyDevelopment #RealEstateFinance #BusinessStrategy #CreativeFunding #Planning #NPPF

Episode Summary:

Adam Stiles, Director and co-founder of Helix Structured Finance, returns to the podcast for a third time to share his unfiltered take on the state of the market heading into 2026. From the psychology of vetting borrowers and why broker-lender relationships still trump rate sheets, to the tech revolution reshaping the industry and why brokers who don’t adapt risk being left behind — Adam covers it all. He also opens up about mental health pressures in the broker community, his decision to give up alcohol, and why commercial property is the most underserved and exciting corner of the market right now. Plus, he doesn’t hold back when asked what the industry needs to stop ignoring.

Guest: Adam Stiles, Director & Co-Founder, Helix Structured Finance

Guest Socials: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamstilesuk/

Sponsored by:

Avamore Capital

https://avamorecapital.com

#SpecialistFinance #PropertyFinance #SpecialistLending #BridgingFinance #DevelopmentFinance #Bridging #Development #Business #MentalHealth #TechInFinance #BrokerLife #CommercialProperty #PropertyDevelopment #RealEstateFinance #BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneurship #HelixStructuredFinance

Episode Chapters:

00:00:00 – Market Outlook & Business Update

00:06:46 – Vetting Deals & Reading Red Flags

00:12:30 – Technology & The AI Revolution

00:17:05 – Mental Health & Giving Up Alcohol

00:23:30 – BDM Relationships & The Death of the Pub Meeting

00:29:31 – The Future of Broking

00:35:55 – Relationships Over Rates

00:42:11 – New Market Entrants & Lender Consolidation

00:49:12 – Growing Teams & Young Talent

00:56:10 – Looking Ahead & Industry Home Truths