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Off-Market Property Deals Across Liverpool, North Wales & Manchester

FOR SERIOUS INVESTORS WORLDWIDE

I source BTL, HMO and development opportunities that never reach the open market. If you are a serious property investor or portfolio builder, register your interest and I will introduce deals directly and discreetly.

Why Work With John?

A Deal Sourcer With Nearly 40 Years of Property Experience. Not A Portal, Not A Middle Man

I’m not a property listing platform or a comparison site. I’m a property buyer, developer and deal sourcer with close to forty years of experience — including time as a landlord with 30 rental properties, an NHBC-accredited builder and developer, and a deal sourcer who has helped clients build portfolios across Merseyside and Cheshire.

The deals I introduce come from my direct network of motivated sellers, landowners, estate contacts and referrals built over decades. They don’t get listed publicly. They go to a small group of vetted investors I know can move quickly and discreetly.

Access to that group is not free and that is intentional. If you are serious, funded and ready to act, I want to hear from you.

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Who Is This For

Investors Who Are Ready To Move — Not Just Browse

I work with a small network of serious investors. I am not building a mailing list of people who might invest one day. The investors I introduce deals to are people who can make decisions, act quickly and complete without complications.

BTL Investors

Looking to add buy-to-let property to your portfolio across Merseyside or Cheshire. You know your numbers, understand yield and are ready to move when the right deal comes. You have funds available and can move without delays on finance.

HMO Investors

Experienced in houses of multiple occupancy or looking to expand into HMO. You understand licensing requirements and want sites with genuine conversion potential.

Developers and Land Buyers

Looking for development sites, land with planning potential or properties for conversion schemes. Finance in place and a clear brief on what you need.

Joint Venture Partners

You have capital to deploy but want John to handle the sourcing, assessment and deal management. Profit is agreed and split at completion. Investors are welcome from anywhere in the world — due diligence and proof of funds will be required before any JV is progressed.

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What I Source

The Types of Deals I Introduce

Every deal is different. Here is a broad overview of the types of opportunities I source for investors across Liverpool, Merseyside, Chester, North Wales and Greater Manchester.

Below-Market Value Residential

Motivated sellers who need to move quickly. These deals do not wait for portals — they go to people in my network first.

BTL Ready and Tenanted Properties

Properties in lettable condition or already tenanted with strong rental yield potential across Merseyside.

HMO Conversion Opportunities

Larger residential properties suitable for conversion to HMO. I assess size, location and planning context before introducing — I will not waste your time with unsuitable sites.

If you are still building your deposit or waiting to see how the market moves, this network is not the right fit yet. Come back when you are ready to act.

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What I Source

Off-Market Deal Types

Deals introduced to my network before they reach any public listing. In many cases they never go public at all.

Property and Deal Types

Development Sites and Land

Small residential development sites, plots with planning potential and land across Merseyside and Cheshire. None publicly listed.

Commercial to Residential

Former pubs, offices and light industrial with permitted development or change of use potential. Bridging and developer finance commonly used.

Portfolio Purchases

Occasionally I source small portfolios of BTL properties from landlords exiting the market — ideal for investors looking to scale quickly.

Auction and Pre-Auction

Properties identified before auction, or where a quick private sale suits the vendor better than the public auction process.

Probate and Estate Properties

Properties from estates where beneficiaries want a quick, private and straightforward sale away from the open market.

Not Sure What You Are Looking For?

Tell me your budget and preferred area. I will let you know when something relevant comes up — the more specific your brief, the better.

Land With Planning Potential

Option agreement opportunities and sites with BTL, HMO or development potential. See the Land and Planning page for more detail.

How It Works

How I Work With Investors — Simple, Direct, Discreet

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Register Your Interest

Complete the form below. Tell me your property type, preferred area, budget and how quickly you can move.

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Direct Introduction

When a deal fits your brief I contact you directly by phone or WhatsApp. You get the details first — privately, before anyone else.

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Due Diligence

You assess the deal. I will answer questions honestly and give you my view on the opportunity. No pressure, no obligation.

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Solicitors and Finance

If you want to proceed we move to solicitors. I can introduce trusted solicitors and brokers if needed.

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Completion

Deal completes. A sourcing fee of 5% of the purchase price (minimum £5,000) is payable on successful completion. This is agreed and documented upfront.

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What You Get

What You Get As A Registered Investor

What You Get As A Registered Investor

First Access to Off-Market Deals
Deals introduced before any public listing. In many cases they never go public at all.

No Portal Browsing
You don’t need to monitor Rightmove or compete with retail buyers. I bring the deal to you.

Your Money Is Protected
All purchase funds are held by your solicitor — not by John. John receives his fee only at completion, through the solicitor. You are never asked to transfer money directly.

Direct Communication
No intermediaries. When I have something I call or message you directly. Fast, discreet, straightforward.

Honest Assessment
Nearly forty years in property means I know what a good deal looks like — and what a bad one looks like too. I won’t dress anything up.

Trusted Professional Introductions
When a deal needs a solicitor, bridging lender or mortgage broker, I introduce people I actually trust — not whoever pays me the most.

A Long-Term Relationship
The investors I work with best build a long-term working relationship. The more I understand your brief, the better the introductions get over time.

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Location Coverage

Sourcing Deals Across Liverpool, Chester, North Wales and Greater Manchester

I source property and land opportunities across a wide area of the North West. Here is where I am most active.

Investment Opportunities in Chester and Cheshire

Chester and the surrounding Cheshire area — higher end values and strong rental demand from professionals and commuters. Development and conversion opportunities with correspondingly strong upside.

Investment Opportunities in Liverpool

Liverpool continues to attract strong investor interest — rental demand, regeneration activity and relative affordability compared to other major UK cities. BTL, HMO and development opportunities sourced regularly.

Investment Opportunities on The Wirral

The Wirral offers a range of opportunities from affordable BTL stock in higher-yield areas to larger development sites. Based here myself — I know this market better than anywhere.

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Ready To Register? Let's Talk.

Based on the Wirral, sourcing across Liverpool, Chester, North Wales and Greater Manchester. Open to investors from anywhere in the world.

Register Your Investment Brief

Important — Please Read This

All information is kept strictly private and only seen by John.


The more specific your brief, the better I can match deals to what you are actually looking for. Tell me your property type preference, areas, budget and how quickly you can move.

What It Costs To Join

  • £2,000 one-off joining fee
  • £100/month to remain active — cancel any time
  • 5% sourcing fee of the purchase price (minimum £5,000) on successful completion

Your membership includes access to the private deal group, full deal packages, solicitor and due diligence checks before handover, and direct introduction from John personally.

The fee structure exists for a reason — it keeps the group serious. Fill this in properly and I will be in touch directly.

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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions — Property Investment With John Ratchford

Do you charge a sourcing fee?
Yes. A sourcing fee of 5% of the purchase price (minimum £5,000) is payable on successful completion of any deal I introduce. The fee is agreed and documented upfront before any introduction is made. There is also a £2,000 joining fee and £100 per month to remain active in the network.
There is a £2,000 one-off joining fee and a £100 monthly membership to remain active in the deal group. You can cancel your monthly membership at any time. A 5% sourcing fee (minimum £5,000) is payable on successful completion of any deal introduced through the network.
The sourcing fee is only payable on successful completion — not upfront. It is agreed and documented before any deal introduction is made so there are no surprises.
On joining you gain access to the private deal group, full deal packages including supporting documentation, and solicitor and due diligence checks before any deal is handed over. John introduces deals directly and personally.
Primarily across Merseyside, Liverpool, the Wirral, Chester and Cheshire. Occasionally further afield depending on the opportunity and the investor’s brief.
It varies. Some deals need to move within days. Others have more flexibility. When I contact you about an opportunity I will be clear on the timescale — which is why registered investors need to be genuine and ready to act.
Yes. If you have capital to deploy and want to work on a joint venture basis — where I handle the sourcing and you fund the project — that is something I consider on a case by case basis. Returns are agreed upfront and settled at completion. JV partners are welcome from anywhere in the world. Due diligence and proof of funds will be required before any deal is progressed.
I work with investors who are serious and financially ready to proceed. Whether it is your first investment or your fiftieth, what matters is that you understand what you are doing and can complete without complications.
Depending on the deal, buyers use cash, standard buy-to-let mortgages, bridging finance or developer finance. I can introduce trusted brokers who understand this market and can structure the right product for the right deal.
Yes — and I would encourage you to be as specific as possible. The more clearly you define your brief, the better I can match deals to what you are actually looking for.
No. Your registration details are used solely to match you with relevant opportunities. I do not pass details to sellers or share them with third parties.
No. I am a property developer and deal sourcer with close to forty years of experience in property. My network is built on decades of direct relationships across Merseyside and Cheshire — not a weekend course and a website.

Get In Touch With John

Whether you're looking to invest, sell, explore land opportunities or work together as a professional partner — fill in the form and John will get back to you directly.