Episode Details

The Commercial Property Podcast | Episode 100 | Suzi Carter MRICS

100 episodes! Who'd have thought it?!

Well, this one's a little different.

After 99 episodes of asking the questions, I'm finally the one in the hot seat!

And we're not holding back.

We're talking about the deals, the mistakes, the lessons learnt the hard way, the highs and lows of investing, and what more than 30 years and three property cycles have taught me about commercial property.

But we're also talking about something much more personal.

Why did I start investing in the first place? What was I really trying to achieve? And how did a career in commercial property turn into a mission to help other people change their lives?

Because here's the thing. I didn't start investing because I wanted to own lots of buildings.

I wanted a different life.

I had a successful corporate career, a young family and a pretty clear picture of what I wanted my future to look like. More freedom. More choices. More time to do the things that mattered to me.

Commercial property became the vehicle to help me get there.

It certainly wasn't all plain sailing!

I've seen markets boom and bust, made investments I'm proud of, learnt some expensive lessons and discovered that some of the best opportunities are the ones other people overlook.

And now, having worked with hundreds of investors through The Commercial Property Academy, I've seen just how much can change when someone moves from feeling uncertain about commercial property to knowing what they're looking for, spotting opportunities and having the confidence to act.

That's the part of my work I love most.

So for this special 100th episode, we're going behind the scenes of my own journey, exploring what I've learnt about investing, business and life — and why I believe commercial property can be such a powerful way to create a different future.

Whether you're a residential investor considering commercial, a successful professional or business owner wanting more choice in life, or an existing commercial investor looking to build a better portfolio, I hope there's something in this conversation that makes you think.

And perhaps encourages you to take that next step.

Why I really started investing in property

The story behind my move from corporate life to building my own commercial property portfolio, the dream board that helped me get clear on what I wanted, and why having a compelling reason to invest matters more than simply wanting to make money.

30 years, three property cycles and some expensive lessons

What I've learnt from investing through changing markets, why experience changes the way you see risk and opportunity, and why the deals that look most attractive aren't always the ones worth buying.

Finding the opportunities other investors miss

Why I look for properties with problems I can solve, how relationships and off-market opportunities can make a difference, and why understanding the occupational market is often more valuable than chasing the next apparently cheap deal.

Buying well, creating value and thinking about the exit

Why the purchase price matters, how I assess opportunities to add value, and the question I always want answered before buying: Who is going to buy this property from me afterwards?

Why capable people sometimes struggle to get started

I've worked with successful business owners, professionals and experienced residential investors who are more than capable of investing in commercial property — but still find themselves stuck. We explore what's holding them back and how knowledge, a clear strategy and the right support can change that.

The power of asking 'Who?' instead of 'Ho