Karl is one of the founders and CEOs of The Property Buying Company, which he launched in 2012 with his best friend and co-CEO, Jonathan Christie. Together, they envisioned making quick house sales a mainstream option and building the largest company in the industry.
Karl’s passion and leadership have been instrumental in driving The Property Buying Company to the forefront of the house selling solutions market. Under his guidance, the company has fostered a culture of creativity, compassion and collaboration, ensuring every decision reflects their core values.
Since its founding, The Property Buying Company has invested over £186 million in property purchases and facilitated more than 3,000 sales across its various business arms, securing its place as the UK’s leading quick house buying company.
In this exclusive interview, we take a closer look at the journey of Karl McArdle, exploring his path from the early days of founding our company to its position today as one of the UK’s leading buyers.
In this part of the interview, we look into Karl’s extensive experience and expertise in the property industry. From his unexpected introduction to the sector as a teenager – where a chance encounter saw him unknowingly broker his first sale; to his ability to navigate the financial crisis, Karl’s journey has been defined by adaptability and resilience…
Believe it or not, I stumbled into the property industry completely by accident. I was about 15, and my mum was struggling to sell her house. One day, some friends from out of town came over, and when their parents came to pick them up, I started talking to them about the house.
I told them all the things I loved about it, the great features, and everything the local area had to offer. By the end of it, they actually bought the house! So, I technically sold my first house at 15. That moment sparked my passion for property, and from there, I started working with local people in the sector and just kept building on it.
I’ve seen the market shift in so many ways. One of the biggest turning points was during the financial crisis in 2007 and 2008. The market and lending landscape changed drastically.
The company I worked for had to pivot quickly, moving away from buying and focusing more on trading to adapt to the challenges of selling on the open market.
That experience was a real eye-opener, and I’m grateful for it. It gave me the tools to navigate later challenges like Brexit and the disruption caused by Covid. I’ve seen everything from a booming market, where properties practically sold themselves, to today’s tougher conditions on the open market.
I’d love to say astronaut—just for fun—but realistically, I’d probably do something that still involves working with people. Maybe I’d own a luxury hotel. I think I’d enjoy hosting guests, creating memorable experiences, and making sure everyone leaves with a smile on their face.
My day usually starts early—I wake up around 5 a.m. and spend an hour catching up on news about the markets, property, and business. I try to steer clear of the day-to-day headlines and focus on what’s relevant to my work.
After that, I go for a 10K walk to clear my head and get energised for the day ahead. Once I’m in the office, I spend most of my time working on strategy with the marketing team, brainstorming creative ideas, and finding new ways to improve the property buying process for our customers.
In the evenings, I make it a priority to spend time with my fiancée and young daughter. Even if it’s just a couple of hours playing with my little one, that family time is really important to me.
Definitely James Bond! I’d love to live his action-packed lifestyle—thrilling pursuits, intense car chases, daring stunts, and exotic locations. It’s hard not to see the appeal!
I’ve learnt that things always take a bit longer than you expect, but having a strong team around you can make all the difference.
Looking back 12 or 13 years, I wish we’d focused more on hiring the right people from the start. We’ve had some amazing people work for us over the years, and we’ve got a fantastic team now. But I’ve come to realise just how crucial it is to invest in building a strong team early on.
At the end of the day, I’m just one person—I can only do so much on my own. If you find the right people, hold onto them. They’re the ones who will help you meet your goals and keep things moving forward.
In this section, we explore Karl McArdle’s journey with The Property Buying Company—a venture that showcases his knack for transforming industries and enhancing customer experiences.
With Karl at the helm, the company has made huge strides in the UK cash buying industry, revolutionising property transactions. His leadership has helped create a faster, more transparent process, designed to meet the needs of today’s homeowners.
It’s all about the people you work with.
We’re fortunate to have an incredibly talented and creative marketing team that’s always keeping an eye on what the competition is doing and identifying opportunities for us to stand out.
I also believe in building strong relationships within the industry. There are plenty of companies out there, and we’ve made it a priority to maintain good connections with many of them. It’s great to know we can pick up the phone and have an open conversation if needed.
We also stay proactive by researching the market, monitoring trends, and thinking creatively about what’s ahead. It’s all about anticipating potential challenges and being ready to adapt before they arise. Staying ahead requires a mix of preparation, innovation, and a team that’s always ready to take action.
There’s definitely room in the housing market for both cash buyers and estate agents, and we’ve even collaborated with many estate agents across the country.
As a cash buyer, we offer something unique. We can guarantee a house sale within a set timeframe, providing peace of mind for our customers. Unlike traditional estate agents, where sales can fall through due to mortgage issues or sudden market shifts, we’re always ready to step in and buy with cash—no chains, no uncertainty.
It’s a bit like We Buy Any Car, but for houses. While it’s not for everyone, our service is ideal for those who value speed and certainty. We’re here to ensure the sale happens, even if the open market presents challenges.
There have been so many proud moments, but a few really stand out.
One of the biggest was launching our new office in 2019. We’d spent over seven years working in a small, compact space, so creating a modern, welcoming environment for the team was incredibly rewarding. The new office includes a gym, an indoor bar, and spaces where the team can relax and thrive—it was a big investment, but absolutely worth it.
Another ongoing source of pride is the feedback we receive from our customers. With nearly 2,000 reviews, I love hearing their stories and experiences, knowing we’ve made a difference.
I’m also incredibly proud of our marketing team. They’ve put so much energy into our SEO campaigns, and seeing our keywords rank highly on Google has been a fantastic achievement.
It was an incredible experience! Apart from waking up at 4 a.m. to walk around Central Park with my business partner, Jonathan Christie, it’s something I’ll never forget.
Being in the spotlight was definitely daunting, but the NASDAQ team was brilliant to work with, and the whole experience pushed us to think on our feet. It’s something I’d highly recommend to anyone who gets the chance—it’s challenging, but incredibly rewarding. I was proud of how we rose to the occasion, and the feedback we received was fantastic.
In addition to being a creative leader in the housing industry, Karl has a sharp eye for spotting trends and predicting shifts in the market. As the economy goes through major changes, Karl’s insights have become a valuable resource for everyone involved in our company — whether it’s investors, homebuyers or industry experts.
The biggest issue at the moment is uncertainty.
People need confidence and clarity about what’s happening—whether it’s around rising interest rates or simply knowing if now is a good time to buy or sell. Without that stability, it’s difficult to make informed decisions.
Unfortunately, we’re not in a stable period right now, and that’s causing many people to hold back. They’re waiting for better rates, better deals, or better properties, which has created a slowdown in the market.
Uncertainty has been at the root of most challenges in the industry, whether it’s been caused by economic crises, access to funding, Brexit, or just not knowing what’s coming next. A period of stability and predictability would help solve many of these issues.
The housing market is undoubtedly moving towards a more technology-driven future, and trends like AI are set to play a significant role in reshaping property transactions.
There’s already talk of AI-powered property valuations that can draw data from multiple sources to provide highly accurate assessments. By analysing a property’s characteristics, Land Registry data, and broader market trends, AI could make valuations far more precise and reliable.
With the immense amount of data available today, this kind of technology could revolutionise how properties are priced, marketed, and sold, making the process quicker and more efficient for everyone involved.
Traditionally, homeownership has been a cornerstone of British culture, but that’s beginning to change.
I think the UK may start to follow models seen in other European countries, like Germany, where renting is far more common than owning a home. If interest rates continue to rise, it will become increasingly difficult for people to get on the property ladder. We’re already seeing a surge in demand for rentals as a result.
Of course, it all depends on future economic conditions, but the idea of homeownership as the ultimate goal might not carry the same importance for future generations. Renting, co-living, and other alternative housing options are likely to become much more significant in the years to come.
It was an incredible experience! Apart from waking up at 4 a.m. to walk around Central Park with my business partner, Jonathan Christie, it’s something I’ll never forget.
Being in the spotlight was definitely daunting, but the NASDAQ team was brilliant to work with, and the whole experience pushed us to think on our feet. It’s something I’d highly recommend to anyone who gets the chance—it’s challenging, but incredibly rewarding. I was proud of how we rose to the occasion, and the feedback we received was fantastic.
The Property Buying Company Limited (Registration No. 08023018) is incorporated in England and Wales. Registered office: 4 Deighton Cl, Wetherby LS22 7GZ.