Tayo and Antoinette Oguntonade run the highly successful BrickzWithTipz, an online digital platform which makes buying a home accessible to everyone. Tayo is also a podcaster and TV presenter and can be seen presenting Great House Giveaway on Channel 4, which in 2022 scored a hat-trick, winning Best Daytime Programme at the BAFTAs, RTS and Broadcast Awards. He is also an experienced mortgage broker, property expert and influencer. Lynda Clark chatted to them to find out how it all started, hear about the first property they bought at the age of 22, and discover their great advice for first time buyers
Photos: Adejare Adelano/AV Media
Tayo 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.
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’s Upbringing and Early Lessons
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 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-yearold Ford Fiesta, which wasn’t new but it got me around and opened up my world.”
The University Years
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 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 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.“
The First Property
They both knew they wanted to buy their own property as soon as they possibly could. During their first foray into buying a home they both realised there was hardly any fundamental information out there to help. Initially they wanted to buy in north London, which is where Antoinette came from, but soon realised that it was way out of their budget, and then they researched south London and again it was too expensive, so they decided to look further outside of London. Antoinette said, “Initially I was apprehensive about moving to Kent as it was far from everything I knew. However, I understood that sacrifices were essential for progress, a principle I teach today. Your first home may require some sacrifices, but it is worth it in the end to get on the property ladder.”
They looked at how much they could afford and looked around the Sittingbourne area. It was a bit of a gamble as they didn’t know the area but realised it was up-and coming so would be a good investment. They now live in south east London with their two young daughters in a four bedroom terraced house. They still have the house in Sittingbourne which has doubled in value.
Sharing Knowledge and Starting BrickzWithTipz
Antoinette added, “It is important to be realistic as to what you can afford to buy. After we bought our first home, many of our friends and family were amazed as to how we achieved it. We shared our experience and knowledge with them and explained how it was possible to buy. We didn’t gatekeep our salaries and we were very transparent. Our friends and family then took our advice and bought themselves. It was then that we had the idea of starting a website which would help with financial literacy and eliminate the scaremongering which is associated with buying for the first time. It is difficult these days we know, because of the cost-of-living crisis and wages have not gone up with inflation.
“When we bought our first property together we could never have afforded it on our own. I really think collaborative buying is a trend now becoming the norm, whether it’s buying with spouses, siblings, parents, friends or even colleagues. Statistics reveal that six out of 10 first time buyers purchase with someone else, which is a real eye-opener. It is important, though, to draw up a legal document when you buy with somebody else so everyone knows where they stand. Also, it is vital to discuss the pros and cons before actually buying together to ensure everyone is on the same page. So, we really wanted to help other people achieve their dream and started BrickzWithTipz about five years ago. It has gone from strength to strength and on social media we have over 100,000 followers across all the channels.”
The HomeBuyers Club
As a spin-off from BrickzWithTipz Antoinette and Tayo have started The HomeBuyers Club, which has enabled them to reach people on a personal level, assisting them through the homebuying journey from start to finish. Antoinette said, “We support them and provide a close knit community of people who want more in-depth information. We have one-to-ones with them and they have access to us both whenever they want to. We put on regular live webinars and actual events where they come along and we advise them in person and often banks get involved, as we have great relationships with the banks and they go home with a goody bag too! Some of the advice we give is to make a goal of saving around £400 a month and open a Lifetime ISA. We know the power of education is invaluable. It costs £37 a month and is very, very popular.”
It was during the pandemic that Chwarel, a production company in North Wales, saw a YouTube video Tayo had made and contacted him about presenting a show on Channel 4 called Great House Giveaway. Tayo was a great success and the fourth series will be on air early next year. This year the show won Best Daytime Programme at the BAFTAs, RTS and Broadcast Awards and Tayo was nominated for Best Debut Presenter at the Edinburgh Television Festival. Tayo co-hosted On The Money for Channel 4 digital, which achieved huge audience engagement, three times the channel’s benchmark and ranked in the “top three most watched” 4Studios branded content on YouTube and “most watched” on Instagram. He also joined the presenting team on the Channel 4 show, Key to a Fortune, a transformational series that re-unites families with homes – and relatives they didn’t know they had.
Tayo recently filmed a social-first series called Make Your Move for Channel 4 which was sponsored by Skipton Building Society. He helps turn three couples’ financial fears into an optimistic outlook as they look to buy their future home. Tayo also presents Great House Giveaway and series five is in on television every Monday. This show offers two strangers a chance to get on the property ladder, as they are given the cash to buy, renovate and sell a house and keep any profit they may make.
Giving Back to the Community
Both Tayo and Antoinette are super busy but still find time to support other things. They both work with 2020 Change, a youth empowerment organisation renowned for helping young people realise their potential and cultivate the right mindset to engage with today’s changing society. Antoinette is passionate about trying to start teaching children in schools as young as 10 about how to save, budget and get ready for the future. She explained, “Young people grow up with no experience of what life and its challenges are all about. I think it is very important to take ownership and control of the choices you make, but sadly young people are not prepared for this. I am trying to change this and I hope I can start making a change as the future generation need to understand about money, budgeting and saving for their future.”
They have some excellent advice for first time buyers and said, “Always contact the experts before you start. It is great to do research but some people try to bypass speaking to the right people and can get into lots of difficulties. Contact a reputable mortgage broker who will give you the correct information about your finances and what you can actually afford as it will pay dividends in the long run. Create a list of important things you want in a home. Your first home is unlikely to be your forever home but you need to understand what is attainable. If you have three children then you will need a two bedroom property at the minimum. If you have a car check out where you can park it – the list should consist of your needs compared to your wants and you might have to make sacrifices along the way.”
Antoinette and Tayo are helping so many first time buyers with their passion and expertise – they truly are inspirational.
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Website: brickzwithtipz.com
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