Property investing is a numbers game

In this episode of The Irish Property Podcast, Michael breaks down one of the most important concepts in property investing - and one that’s often overlooked by new investors: yield. While buying your own home is driven by emotion, investing in property is a numbers game. Michael shares a personal story of buying a holiday home versus a buy-to-let property, and how differently each decision felt - highlighting why successful investing requires discipline, not emotion.At the core of every good property deal is one key metric: rental yield. Michael explains in simple terms how yield is calculated, why it matters for both profitability and financing, and how the same property can go from an average deal to an excellent one depending on rental income. He also shares real examples from his own portfolio over the past few years, showing how he targets strong yields - typically 8% or higher - to protect himself against market downturns.The episode also dives into Michael’s approach to navigating the Irish property market - particularly his strong stance against bidding wars. Instead of chasing deals and overpaying, he explains why he’s happy to come second, how often property sales fall through, and how patience can lead to better opportunities. This is a practical, honest look at how to approach property investing with a long-term mindset - and why sticking to your numbers is the key to success.Show Notes:Subscribe to The Irish Property Podcast newsletter:https://www.propertypodcast.ie