THE VIEW
T ayo and Antoinette certainly don’t let the grass grow under their feet! I am breathless just hearing how much they do running BrickzWithTipz and The Homebuyers Club, Tayo’s television work, their many speaking engagements, Antoinette's full-time work as a Management Accountant, and they have two little girls who are just two and three! But you know instantly how passionate about property and helping others get on the ladder they are.
me as all my friends were back in south east London and it was quite a long journey to go and see them. "I eventually went to a sixth form college in Beckenham and many of my old friends went there too which was great. It was rather strange, though, because we were surrounded by quite privileged people. For example, when they passed their driving test they would be given a brand new car straight out of the showroom, and that was never going to be the situation for me or my friends. So, I realised if I wanted a car I would have to work and save. We all got jobs – I worked in Sainsbury’s – and I saved and saved and eventually bought a 12-year- old Ford Fiesta, which wasn’t new but it got me around and opened up my world.” Tayo and Antoinette went to the same university studying economics and graduating in 2013. Tayo said, “My student loan didn’t cover what I needed for rent let alone living expenses. Again, I had to get a part-time job to help and I also managed to save again. I was crazy on cars at that time so it made me work really hard so I could save up to buy a new car. I worked for a telesales company and I even stayed there during the holidays, often working between 60 and 70 hours a week, so I could continue working and saving. I actually managed to change my car three times
Although Antoinette is a Management Accountant, her true passion lies in helping people achieve financial freedom through financial literacy and helping them get on the property ladder. Tayo was brought up in south east London and he describes the area as “tough”. His parents, who are originally from Nigeria, instilled in Tayo and his two brothers that getting a good education was very important and so he took his schooling very seriously. “I loved maths as I am a numbers person, but my parents moved to Catford and then further out to Orpington in Kent, which was a big change for
during the period I was studying because I was saving so hard. "My interest in property started when I was in a house share and I got friendly with the landlord and as I am a numbers man I worked out how much he made from all the rents he took. After I left uni I went back home and lived with my parents who didn’t want me to pay
"I REALISED IF I WANTED A CAR I WOULD HAVE TO WORK AND SAVE. WE ALL GOT JOBS – I WORKED IN SAINSBURY’S – AND I SAVED AND SAVED AND EVENTUALLY BOUGHT A 12-YEAR-OLD FORD FIESTA, WHICH WASN’T NEW BUT IT GOT ME AROUND AND OPENED UP MY WORLD”
any rent, which was very good of them. I got a job and managed to save about £1,100 a month and then I spent whatever was left over on myself. I did realise though that every time I bought a new car, its value depreciated the minute I drove it away and it got me thinking that I needed to invest in something that actually went up in value.“
20 First Time Buyer October/November 2024
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