Episode 101

full
Published on:

4th Feb 2026

EP101 Deal Sourcing Decoded

Shazad Ahmed, aka 'Where's Shaz' and Director of Elan Property Finance, takes us on a brutally honest journey through modern brokerage from his South Wales base. We explore the reality check newer investors need (spoiler: that £10k savings pot won't go as far as the property guru promised), the dark side of private finance and Ponzi-adjacent schemes promising 30% returns, and why deal sourcing isn't the dirty word mortgage lenders think it is. Shaz reveals how solicitors are holding deals hostage with capacity issues and suspiciously convenient delays, shares his vibe coding experiments with AI tools that summarise 50-page credit files in plain English, and explains why LinkedIn post hijacking is the ultimate cardinal sin. We dissect HMO valuation concerns that keep credit teams up at night, debate whether families will have anywhere left to live, explore the receivership red flags killing future refinances, and discuss why communication with lenders beats going ghost every single time. Plus, Shaz's advice to his 21-year-old self about peaking earlier might just be the reality check we all needed.

Guest: Shazad Ahmed, Director of Elan Property Finance

Guest Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/wheresshaz/

https://www.tiktok.com/@wheresshaz

https://www.youtube.com/@Wheresshaz

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shazadahmed/

Sponsored by:

Avamore Capital

https://avamorecapital.com

#SpecialistFinance #PropertyFinance #Recruitment #SpecialistLending #Bridging #Development #Business #Leadership #Hiring #TalentAcquisition #FounderSyndrome #Headhunting #FinancialServices #CareerDevelopment #StartupGrowth #PropertyDevelopment #RealEstateFinance #BusinessStrategy #TeamBuilding #Entrepreneurship

All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for The Property Funder Podcast

About the Podcast

The Property Funder Podcast
Michael Dean, Co-Founder and Non Executive of Avamore Capital speaks to prolific figures both inside and outside of the specialist finance sector and delve into their backgrounds and the steps they took to get to the point they are at today.

About your host

Profile picture for Michael Dean

Michael Dean

Entrepreneur and experienced CEO/Managing Director. Expertise or experience in sales, marketing, fundraising, hiring, HR, deal execution, M&A, investment, deal structuring, financial management, change management, technological implementation, cross border transactions and international tax.

I am currently a co-founder and Principal of Avamore Capital, an award-winning specialist real estate development and bridging lender. I also co-founded Chartfield Homes, a strategic land investment business and future house builder.

I'm also an experienced specialist real estate financier, developer and asset manager running a single family office.

Very interested in NED roles and angel investment in technology or impactful startups where I can add value through my experience or my network

I have interests in clean energy, technology businesses and the strategic land sector and I am interested to finance planning plays with experienced property professionals skilled in securing planning consents.