A property investment expert has laid out a step-by-step plan he claims could allow individuals to leave their jobs within five years, using a disciplined savings method and the buy-to-let market.
The 'Simple' Five-Year Property Plan
Daniel Duffield, who runs a property investment service and has amassed 441,000 followers on Instagram, detailed his strategy in a recent social media post. He described it as a "simple plan" to secure one's financial future through saving and property investment.
The first step involves saving £35 per day for two years. According to Duffield's calculations, this disciplined approach would accumulate a pot of £25,550. This capital would then be used as a deposit to purchase a first buy-to-let property valued at around £80,000, which could be rented out for approximately £600 per month.
Scaling Up the Portfolio
The plan advises continuing to save at the same rate. After another two years (year four), the investor should buy a second similar property. By the fifth year, Duffield suggests using the equity built up in the first property to fund the purchase of a third.
"Rates will decrease, rent will increase," Duffield stated. "You're making £1,200 a month using very little of your time and now you have options." He elaborated in his caption, explaining that a few well-chosen rental properties could cover mortgage and essential bills, fundamentally changing one's lifestyle and opening up new possibilities.
Criticism and Caveats
Despite the post garnering over 2,500 likes, it faced significant criticism. Many questioned the feasibility of the initial savings target. "Who has almost a £1000 pounds they can save a month?" one commenter asked, highlighting that saving £35 daily equates to nearly £1,050 monthly. Another echoed this, stating that if their job allowed such savings, they would already be financially comfortable.
The strategy also drew ire from those critical of treating housing primarily as an investment. "Be good if we saw houses as a place to live rather than a money-making business," one person wrote. However, the plan did find some supporters, with one individual commenting simply, "I do this, it works."
Duffield included a crucial disclaimer, noting that returns are not guaranteed and depend on market conditions, property performance, and other factors. He explicitly stated that his post was for informational purposes only and did not constitute financial advice, adding the standard warning that "past performance does not indicate future results."
The debate highlights the ongoing tension between aspirations for financial independence through property and the practical economic realities facing many people in the UK today.
