How Commercial Property Can Buy Back Your Time with Kirsty Darkin

We talk a lot about building portfolios on this podcast, but far less about what happens when the portfolio starts running you instead of the other way around. That's exactly where commercial property comes in, and it's a strategy we have never covered until now.In this episode of Girls in Property I'm joined by Kirsty Darkin, a commercial surveyor and investor who has spent years in a room where she was often the only woman. Kirsty walks us through how she got started, what commercial actually looks like day to day, and why so many of us have written it off before we've even looked at it properly.We get into the real detail. How commercial differs from residential, what makes a good building and a good tenant, and how you add value through lease extensions, rent reviews and asset management rather than swinging a hammer. Kirsty shares how she funds deals using pensions, equity release, bridging and investor capital, where beginners tend to trip up, and how she sources off market through agents and auction houses. She's also refreshingly clear about the risks, because this is not a strategy where you can afford to skip your due diligence.What stayed with me most was the conversation about time. Commercial, done properly, is one of the few strategies that genuinely gives you your life back. Kirsty has just celebrated ten years in business and her 50th birthday, and she speaks beautifully about designing a life you actually want to live rather than one that looks good on paper.If you have ever thought commercial wasn't for you, this episode will change your mind.Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.How to Get Involved With The Girls in Property  👇 👩 Join our GIP Community 📞 Not sure it's for you? Book your FREE 15 min call 🧠 Find Your First/Next Step in Property with our FREE 3 min Quiz 💵 Book Your 1-1 90 min Flow & Alignment call with AthenaGet In Touch📷Girls in Property Instagram📧 [email protected]