Property veteran marks 40-year milestone

A North East property professional is drawing on almost four decades of housing experience to help landlords and investors build and manage portfolios across the region.

Washington-based Nicky Middleton is owner and director of Oasis Sales and Lettings and The One Stop Property Shop North East, providing services ranging from property sourcing and investment advice to refurbishment project management and ongoing property management.

Her career in housing began through the Youth Training Scheme (YTS) with a local council before progressing into roles across the public and private sectors.

Nicky spent several years working in housing offices serving communities in Northumberland’s former coalfield areas, gaining first-hand experience of the challenges facing tenants and neighbourhoods.

After taking time away from the sector to support her daughter, she returned through private lettings agencies and subsequently launched her own business in 2019.

Nicky said: “I’ve seen just about everything the housing sector can throw at you. 

“From helping vulnerable families and dealing with anti-social behaviour to supporting people through some of the most difficult times in their lives. 

“Those experiences taught me that housing is about people first and property second.”

She added: “I realised I was helping build other people’s businesses when I could be doing the same for my own. 

“One of the biggest frustrations I saw was a lack of continuity for landlords. 

“Clients would speak to a different person every time they called. 

“With us, clients know exactly who they’re dealing with, and they can reach us when they need us.”

Nicky’s approach centres on providing landlords and investors with hands-on support, with Nicky only recommending investment properties she would be prepared to purchase herself.

Working alongside business partner Paul, an experienced landlord, she combines practical property knowledge with financial analysis to help clients assess opportunities and make informed investment decisions.

The approach has helped the business develop a base of returning clients, including investors who have gone on to expand their portfolios across the North East.

Nicky added: “If I’m going to manage a property, I need confidence in it from day one. 

“We’re open, transparent and honest. 

“I would never source a property for a client that I wouldn’t be comfortable investing in personally.”

Alongside its core services, the company runs property experience weekends, enabling aspiring investors to visit properties and gain an insight into the region’s market alongside experienced professionals.

Nicky continues to oversee much of the business’ day-to-day activity from its Washington base, maintaining the personal approach that prompted her to establish the company.

Almost 40 years after beginning her career as a trainee, she is now using that experience to guide the next generation of landlords and investors navigating the North East property market.

She added: “We’re passionate about the North East and what it offers investors. 

“Many people come to us after spending thousands of pounds on property courses, and they often tell us they’ve learned more from a day and a half travelling around the region with us than they did on courses costing tens of thousands.”

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