And Why Property Collaboration Can Offer Better Returns Than a Savings Account
In an age of economic uncertainty and low-interest rates, many people are waking up to a powerful truth: letting your money sit idle in the bank isn’t going to help you build real wealth. The savings interest offered by most banks barely beats inflation—if it does at all. That’s where the concept of the armchair investor comes in.
Armchair investors are individuals who want to grow their money but prefer to take a back seat. They’re not looking to get their hands dirty with day-to-day management, but they’re open to strategic, passive involvement in ventures that yield higher returns—especially those backed by tangible assets like property.
In this article, we’ll explore:
What an armchair investor is How armchair investors can meet people with property projects Why collaboration—especially joint ventures—can offer excellent returns The risks and rewards of investing in bricks and mortar How platforms like Empreso Network make these partnerships possible
What Is an Armchair Investor?
An armchair investor is someone who wants to invest but does not want the stress, time commitment, or responsibility of running a business or managing a property portfolio. They typically:
Have capital to invest Prefer passive returns over active involvement Value trustworthy, skilled partners Are interested in property, business ventures, or start-ups Want their money to work smarter than it would in a traditional savings account
Think of an armchair investor as someone who sits in their “armchair” while others do the work—but in a well-structured partnership that benefits both sides.
Why Property Is the Ideal Vehicle for Armchair Investment
Property has long been seen as a safe haven for investors. Unlike stocks, which can fluctuate wildly, bricks and mortar provide tangible security. The UK property market, despite short-term ups and downs, has consistently trended upward over the long term.
The benefits of investing in property include:
Regular income through rent Capital growth over time Security of a physical asset Leverage through mortgage finance Tax advantages in certain structures
However, direct involvement in property can be overwhelming. Managing tenants, overseeing refurbishments, sourcing deals, and handling regulations require time, knowledge, and energy.
This is where the armchair model thrives: let property entrepreneurs do the heavy lifting, while the investor provides capital and enjoys a share of the profits.
Meeting Project Owners: The Empreso Model
Traditionally, it’s been hard for armchair investors to find trustworthy project partners. You might hear about someone doing “property deals” at a networking event or see an opportunity online—but how do you know who to trust, and how do you structure a deal safely?
That’s where platforms like Empreso Network come in.
At Empreso, we’re building a community of property entrepreneurs, brokers, and consultants who are actively looking for ethical, win-win collaborations with investors. We connect:
Armchair investors looking for better returns Property entrepreneurs with vetted projects and a proven track record Legal and financial professionals to ensure everything is properly structured
This creates a safe, trusted environment for joint ventures and other types of partnerships to flourish.
What Is a Joint Venture in Property ?
A joint venture (JV) is a business arrangement where two or more parties come together to undertake a property project. In a typical armchair investor JV:
The investor provides the capital (deposit, refurbishment budget, legal fees) The entrepreneur sources and manages the project (finding the property, overseeing renovation, managing resale or letting) Profits are split according to a pre-agreed structure (e.g. 50/50 or based on risk contribution)
A well-executed JV can yield returns of 10–20%+ annually, which far exceeds the 0.5–4% interest offered by high street savings accounts or ISAs.
Other Forms of Collaboration
Joint ventures are not the only option. Armchair investors can also explore:
Loan agreements with fixed interest (secured or unsecured) Equity partnerships in longer-term projects (e.g. HMOs or build-to-rent schemes) Option agreements where the investor has the right to acquire property at a later date Angel investment in small-scale property development companies
The right choice depends on your risk appetite, time horizon, and whether you want monthly income, capital growth, or both.
Why This Beats Traditional Saving
Let’s put the numbers into perspective. Imagine you put £50,000 in a bank savings account offering 3% per annum:
After 1 year: £51,500 After 3 years: £54,634 (assuming compounding)
Now imagine you enter a JV property deal with the same £50,000 that yields a 20% return over 12–18 months:
After 1 deal: £60,000 After 2 cycles: £72,000 And that’s assuming you don’t reinvest gains!
And don’t forget: this is typically secured against property, which preserves capital more reliably than high-risk equities or speculative crypto assets.
What Are the Risks?
Every investment carries risk. In property, these include:
Delays in refurbishment Market downturns Cost overruns Legal disputes Misaligned expectations between partners
That’s why it’s essential to:
Work with vetted professionals Use clear contracts and legal protections Conduct due diligence on both the project and the entrepreneur Use platforms like Empreso to facilitate structured introductions
Final Thoughts: Sitting Back, Not Sitting Out
Being an armchair investor doesn’t mean being uninformed. It means making your money work harder, without the daily hustle. It’s a smart middle ground between total passivity and full-time involvement.
By partnering with trusted property entrepreneurs and leveraging structured deals—like those found through the Empreso Network—armchair investors can unlock:
Better-than-bank returns Asset-backed security Opportunities to grow wealth while empowering entrepreneurs A hands-off experience with professional support
Ready to Explore Armchair Investing?
Whether you have £25,000 or £250,000 to invest, there are opportunities to make your capital do more for you.
Join the Empreso Network to:
Attend investor meetups and project presentations Connect with vetted property consultants Access due diligence reports and structured proposals Enjoy hands-free, secure investing backed by bricks and mortar
🔗 Visit Empreso Network to learn more or register for our next investor evening.
📞 Or book a Clarity Call: network.empreso.co/clarity-review
About the Author
Alain Mbe is a property search consultant, entrepreneur, and founder of Empreso — a network dedicated to building prosperity through property, finance, and collaboration. With over 25 years of experience, Alain helps everyday people make smart property decisions and grow wealth the ethical way.
