Truepath Ventures Ltd

02/09/2026

Why can pretty houses still be a terrible investment?

I know, I know… that beautiful kitchen is very tempting.😉

But before I get carried away, I want to know:

Who actually wants to live here?
Does the local demand stack up?
What is the refurbishment really going to cost?
And what happens if the exit takes longer than planned?

Because a property can look fantastic and still have weak numbers.

And sometimes that tired-looking house that needs a bit of love can actually be the more interesting opportunity.

So I try not to ask “Do I like this house?”

I ask “Does this opportunity make sense?”

If the location, numbers, property and exit don't stack up, I’ll walk away.

Even if the kitchen is gorgeous. 😂

01/09/2026

Great show at Reeth yesterday, and great coverage by our very own local Dales Radio

31/08/2026

If you think there’s “nothing going on” in a Dales village? You should think again.

You might not find a huge shopping centre around the corner, but you’ll find something else, local makers, independent businesses and a community that actually supports them.

Heather & Grouse is a lovely example. Handmade pottery, artwork, jewellery, felted animals… and even a local rope maker. 🐑🎨

And this is exactly why I like getting to know the places where I invest.

You can’t understand a property properly without understanding the community around it. 🏡

27/08/2026

And so it begins… 🔨🏡

The first rip-out at the Hawes cottage is underway, starting with the kitchen.

There’s a lot to do, but I’m looking forward to seeing this little two-bedroom cottage take shape.

I’ll keep you posted. 👀

24/08/2026

Why did I choose this little cottage? 👀🔑

Another key collection, and this one has plenty of work ahead.

It’s a cute two-bedroom cottage with an open-plan living and dining area, but it definitely needs some attention to reach its potential. 🏡

For me, the interesting part isn't just collecting the keys. It’s working out what the property can realistically become and whether the numbers still stack up along the way.

I’ll keep you updated with this one. 👀

19/08/2026

Think you know the Yorkshire Dales property market? 👀

Look a little closer.

Hawes, Leyburn and Skipton might all be in the Dales, but they don't necessarily have the same buyers, tenants or demand.

A higher price doesn't always mean better demand.

And a less expensive property doesn't always mean better value.

So before I look at the property, I want to understand the market around it.

Who actually wants to live there?
What is driving demand?
And would that demand still be there if the market changed?

That’s where the interesting part begins. 🏡

You’re not just buying a property. You’re buying into a specific market.

17/08/2026

Most people know Askrigg because of the TV series.

I remember it for a different reason.

Places like this remind me that great property isn't just about the building.

It's about the community, the history and the reasons people keep coming back.

That's what I always look for before I look at the numbers.

Because beautiful places are easy to find.

Places with lasting appeal are much harder to create.

👇 What's the first thing you notice when you visit somewhere new?

14/08/2026

14/08/2026

A cheap property can be expensive in all the wrong ways.

For example, you might find something £20k below comparable properties and think you've found a bargain.

Then you discover the rental demand is weak, the refurbishment is bigger than expected, or there's no obvious exit strategy.

That's why I don't start with:

“How cheap is it?”

I start with:

“Why is it cheap?”

Then I look at the area, local demand, the numbers, the work required and what happens if the original plan doesn't go perfectly.

Because a good investment isn't necessarily the property with the biggest discount.

It's the one where the fundamentals still make sense when you challenge your assumptions.

12/08/2026

🏡 People think living in the Yorkshire Dales means giving up convenience.
Honestly... that's one of the biggest myths I hear.

Spend a little time in villages like Bainbridge, and you'll see something different.

🚐 A fish & chip van.

📚 A mobile library.

📮 A mobile post office.

🥩 Local deliveries.

The community has adapted, and that's part of what makes living here so special.

When I'm looking at property, I'm never just looking at the house.

I'm asking a much bigger question:

Would people genuinely enjoy living here?

Because that's what creates long-term demand.

👇 What's one thing that surprised you about village life?



's Fish and Chip Van
House Village Store and B&B