My son Tom is ten years old, and for Christmas last year he got a magic set. He spent the first few days learning all the tricks in the box so that he could amaze all the family with his skills. A few weeks later and there are really only about three tricks that he’s remembered but he’s already close to auditioning for the magic circle. He can summon up these tricks at will, and all he needs is a pack of cards and a one pound coin.

Isn’t it great when you discover something new and exciting? When you learn a new trick, or a new approach? Especially when it’s something that will really help your family like learning how to make money or how to invest in property.

When I learned all about HMOs and realised the amazing cashflow I could make in comparison to my single buy-to-lets I was gobsmacked. I just KNEW that by hook or by crook, I HAD to get into HMOs. My nice little portfolio of buy-to-lets was never gonna make me enough money to leave my job. I just wasn’t making enough money.

So I was committed to getting into HMOs. I was certain. I knew that the way ahead was HMOs. There was just one problem. My problem wasn’t money, it wasn’t time. It was my Darling Husband, Andy! Love him to bits, but cautious? Sheesh, he redefines the meaning of the word. He was SOOOO uncertain it was untrue!! “But what if it doesn’t work, what if we can’t get tenants, what if we run out of money?” he said, his voice laden with doubts.

Ever heard those things from your partner? Or ever thought those thoughts too? Andy was exactly the same.

What I wondered was whether I could ever make this plan work without my husband’s backing. There were risks in going it alone, and I wasn’t sure that I was ready to risk my marriage for money. Deep down I needed to know that he was at least ok with me investing in HMOs, even if he wasn’t willing to do any of the work.

If you’re finding that your partner is less than enthusiastic about your new-found desire to create HMO magic, I might be able to help you.

1. Don’t rush it. You’ve had more time to let your ideas and your new-found enthusiasm settle than your partner has. He/ she is way behind you in their thinking. They need to learn for themselves. The one way to put someone off something fast is to impose your ideas too fast, too forcibly.
2. Make time to discuss your ideas. If your partner refuses to listen, ask them if they would allow you 30 minutes to explain your ideas and why you want to invest, without them interrupting or arguing with you. Then you give them 30 minutes to explain why they have misgivings. Then take 15 minutes to calmly discuss your feelings together. After you’ve each shared, leave the discussion for 24 hours. This takes discipline and commitment, but will let your partner see that you are as committed to them as you are to the whole idea of investing in HMOs
3. Show them you’ve considered their objections by writing out a clear plan. In my experience, people who are cautious tend to be people who like clarity and structure. With a written plan and some thought behind it, your partner may well realise you are serious and have thought about the risks. This alone can shift their mindset.
4. Accept that your partner’s objections could strengthen your business. Take them seriously and consider whether their reasons have weight. You might realise that if you work on addressing their objections, you could have a stronger business as a result.
5. Don’t give up on your dream to practice HMO magic. If you are in the right relationship and your partner really respects and loves you, your persistence will pay off.

After a few weeks of doing none of the above and frankly nagging Andy to death, he made an excellent suggestion. Being an IT geek, he was used to launching new projects as ‘beta’ projects – trial ones that tested the core idea to see if it would work.

So we agreed that I would launch a ‘beta’ HMO – a trial small four bed HMO. It was the best way to test my idea out and see if it would work, with little risk. It made me happy and it satisfied Andy’s aversion to risk.

Thankfully the project was a huge success, and soon afterwards I could really press on with my goal to create enough HMOs to achieve financial freedom. Our marriage not only stayed intact, but was made stronger as a result.

You can create a magical income from HMOs and you can do it with your partner’s support if you are patient and kind. You never know, in future, they will probably thank you for it.