investment | Property Insider https://propertyinsider.info by Mark Hempshell >>> Property News, Ideas, Strategies, Tips. For Property Investors & Property Professionals Thu, 12 Jan 2023 10:27:46 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://propertyinsider.info/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/cropped-Pi2-32x32.jpg investment | Property Insider https://propertyinsider.info 32 32 8 Questions To Ask Before Selling Your Buy To Let https://propertyinsider.info/8-questions-to-ask-before-selling-your-buy-to-let/ Fri, 28 Oct 2022 10:25:00 +0000 https://propertyinsider.info/?p=1018 Let’s face it, buy to let is suffering under a big grey cloud of doom and gloom right now. After years when everything in the property investor’s garden seemed rosy, issues like tax changes, and more rules and regulations – and now Covid-19 – are prompting some investors to consider selling their buy to let […]

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Let’s face it, buy to let is suffering under a big grey cloud of doom and gloom right now.

After years when everything in the property investor’s garden seemed rosy, issues like tax changes, and more rules and regulations – and now Covid-19 – are prompting some investors to consider selling their buy to let property.

But if that’s you …. Wait …. Stop! Here are 8 very important things you must check before putting your buy to let up for sale:

* What’s your motivation for selling?

Is your buy to let actually causing you practical difficulties? Is it actually losing you money? Or is it just a general feeling of despondency at being a landlord that is prompting you to sell?

Whatever it is, know your reason for considering selling up.

* What yield are you getting on your buy to let?

Knowing what your yield is can help put things in context …. you may well find it makes your buy to let more attractive than you thought. Yield percentage can be calculated by dividing the annual rent by the property cost x 100.

The fact is, even pretty low yields are multiple times better than the return even on the best paying savings accounts right now.

* What can you do to improve the situation, or turn things around?

Selling may not be the best answer, and in fact could be the worst. Could you raise the rent to help make things pay better? Could a new tenant be the answer? Could you rent out the property in a different way, eg. as a house share. Are there any ways you could cut costs? Could some professional advice on tax or ownership improve the outlook for your investment?

* Are you guilty of thinking too short term?

Remember, property is a medium-long term investment. By selling now you can miss out on a future, potentially attractive, capital gain.

Governments never last as long as the ideal lifetime of a property investment (15-25 years) so there’s every chance landlord/investor policy could become more favourable again in future.

* Will you be able to sell your buy to let easily, quickly, and an attractive/viable price?

Prices and buyer interest are holding up right now, but there’s no telling how long that might last.

It’s never a good idea to guess or saleability – take advice from a surveyor or estate agent.

* What will you do with the money?

Assuming there’ll be money left over from the sale of course. Is there any other way it could earn you a better return?

You might find this Property Insider report useful: Property over and out? So how else can you make a good return on your money?

* What other plan do you have for securing your financial future?

That’s assuming, of course, that you invested in buy to let – as many investors have – as a pension pot.

Again, explore all the options.

* What will your tax situation be? Is there a risk that an increased tax liability could make you worse off by selling your buy to let, not better? Always find out before you sell … not after!

Whatever you do it’s important not to make a knee jerk decision. Think everything through, do the numbers, and take professional advice if you need it. Think how your decision will play out in both the long and the short term.

Mark Hempshell is Editor-in-Chief of Property Insider.

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Property Insider’s Top Ten Cheap Property Investment Locations In The North https://propertyinsider.info/property-insiders-top-ten-cheap-property-investment-locations-in-the-north/ Tue, 01 Oct 2019 12:00:59 +0000 https://propertyinsider.info/?p=571 The popular press is full of stories about how £200,000, £300,000 or even £400,000 will only buy you a tiny flat in London …. making it unviable for the vast majority of investors. So it’s easy to forget that there are some places in the country where you can buy an entire property for less […]

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The popular press is full of stories about how £200,000, £300,000 or even £400,000 will only buy you a tiny flat in London …. making it unviable for the vast majority of investors. So it’s easy to forget that there are some places in the country where you can buy an entire property for less than £40,000 …. and where £400,000 will buy you a whole portofolio of investment properties.

Sure, some of these cheaper areas have drawbacks but low priced property areas can offer good potential for investors – the letting market is often strong and yields can be high. So in this report we will look at ten of Property Insider’s favourite cheap property investment locations across the north of England.

Barnsley. Right on the M1 and slap bang between Sheffield and Leeds Barnsley makes a great base for both commuting throughout the region and for business relocation. This former mining town is now home to several successful light manufacturing companies and, interestingly, it also has a small but promising creative and digital sector – the Sunday Times has even named Barnsley as one of its ‘creative towns to watch’. The town centre is undergoing regeneration. Barnsley has a lot more going for it than you might think.

Bolton. Bolton was hit hard by the recession, probably accounting at least in part for the low property prices. However, stats reveal that Bolton is responsible for 8% of the economic output of the whole Greater Manchester area, suggesting Bolton is a bigger hitter than you might think. Bolton ranks highly for new business start ups and latest forecasts say 11,000 jobs will be created over the next eight years. There’s a newish university (universities are almost good news for investors) too.

Blackburn. Blackburn has the honour of being pretty much the cheapest town for buying property in England and at Insider we think that’s a good reason to consider rather than overlook it. It’s probably fair to say that Blackburn is one of those former industrial towns that’s unlikely to regain all its former glory. However, the town is ranked highly by Experian for its concentration of start up and high growth businesses, so there’s hope yet. Blackburn is also the main administrative and service area for the whole area, plus it has excellent transport connections too.

Bradford. Let’s be frank now, Bradford’s glorious industrial past is probably long behind it, almost certainly never to be rediscovered. But those who play down Bradford’s prospects as an investment location overlook one important fact – it’s right next door to Leeds – one of the north’s strongest cities economically where the economy is projected to grow fast over the next decade. Property in Leeds will cost you around 50% more than in Bradford and, with prices actually falling here over the last year, now could be a very good time to buy in.

Doncaster. In some ways Doncaster has everything that makes a promising up and coming property investment location – great access by road and rail (and there’s even an airport) plus lots of cheap land for business relocation that should make for a buoyant employment market too. In Insider’s opinion it’s very undervalued and too often overlooked.

Gateshead. Gateshead has a reputation for being the wrong side of the River Tyne. But it has access to the same economy, same employment opportunities (in fact there are lots of employers here) and same facilities as its bigger neighbour Newcastle Upon Tyne. There’s really no reason why property should be much cheaper here, but it is – making it a real opportunity for bargain basement investors.

Hull. It would be wrong to try and disguise the fact that Hull has some of the lowest wage levels and highest unemployment levels in the country. But the worst thing about Hull is its reputation which, in our view, is totally undeserved. (If you don’t believe us, we’d recommend a visit.) Pretty much the only way for the Hull economy is up and, with its new Siemens wind turbine factory it could play an important role in the booming green economy.

Here’s a useful Property Insider article on investing in places like Hull.

Nottingham. So, OK it’s not strictly in the north but here’s why we’re including Nottingham in this report: Do some checking and you’ll find that Nottingham is pretty much the cheapest major city in the UK in which to invest in property. (Though the low average price does disguise the fact that there are also some quite pricey areas here.)  Nottingham has a sound economy, lots of large employers, one of the biggest student populations in the country (with one of the most sought after universities) and a buzzing city vibe too.

Rochdale and Oldham. We’re lumping these two towns together because they are, quite literally, next door to each other and very similar in character. Now, make the mistake of seeing Rochdale and Oldham as former textile towns where property prices don’t look particularly cheap and you’re missing the point here. But, see them as suburbs of economically strong and fast growing Manchester (with excellent transport links right into the city centre) and you’ll suddenly realise what good value they are.

Lastly, although cheap property locations have a lot of advantages for property investors there can also be some drawbacks. For balance, take a look at this article: The pros and cons of investing in cheap property.

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Where Will Buy To Let Be In Ten Years Time ? https://propertyinsider.info/where-will-buy-to-let-be-in-ten-years-time/ Mon, 17 Jun 2019 13:01:57 +0000 https://propertyinsider.info/?p=485 Property investment is best regarded as a long term proposition, with a minimum investment of 10 years, if not more. So before embarking on any property investment it makes sense to look at where the market might be in the long term. In this report, Insider will look at where the buy to let market […]

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Property investment is best regarded as a long term proposition, with a minimum investment of 10 years, if not more. So before embarking on any property investment it makes sense to look at where the market might be in the long term. In this report, Insider will look at where the buy to let market might be in 10 years time.

First of all let us look at a few fundamentals which underpin the buy to let market:

* Interest rates. Have always been a key driver in the property market. But it looks as though investors will be able to enjoy a low interest rate environment, though not necessarily quite so low as today, for at least the next decade.

So cheap investment money is here to stay – for those who can access it.

* Landlord legislation …. and taxation. After a regime of limited regulation and favourable taxation over the last couple of decades landlords now seem to be faced with a much less favourable climate.

Investors will need to watch what the politicians are doing very carefully. How far can policies that are unfavourable to investment go on before the supply of rental accommodation starts to be seriously affected?

*Demand for rental property. Will keep on growing as the population rises. London and the south east will bear the brunt. London’s current 8.3m population is expected to grow to 9.4m by 2022, and will still keep on rising fast.

Ongoing levels of migration are going to be key here, with the UK’s future outside the EU the key issue here.

* Supply of property. Bound to become even tighter. Governments might promise more housebuilding but new homes need new building land, developers willing to pursue and finance schemes …. and sell them at a price people can afford to pay. That won’t be easy, especially in locations where demand is highest.

The build to rent (BTR) sector needs to be considered here. Some cities are seeing significant BTR development.

* Property prices. Pretty much every forecast out there says that house prices will continue to rise. A rough forecast-of-forecast seems to suggest prices will be on average 20% higher in high-demand areas including the south east, and 10% elsewhere, by 2025. In the process the supply-demand balance will worsen.

So what does Property Insider guess, and it is only a guess, the UK buy to let market will be like in ten years time?

* There will still be even stronger demand for property to rent than now. Much is said about ‘generation rent’ – people who only rent because they can’t afford to buy. But even if you take those people out of the equation demand is still huge from low income workers, migration, transient workers and of course students.

Landlords who are still in the market in 2025 won’t have any difficulty finding tenants.

* Rent increases will be a tricky one to forecast. Rent levels in 2025 will be strongly linked to what the economy is doing by then. Wage rises, especially in the public sector, are likely to be limited …. together with social security benefit rises. But what impact will the new ‘more generous’ national minimum wage have on how much rent tenants are willing to pay?

* Property prices will rise as supply becomes tighter, even if house building accelerates and as a result it won’t be possible to return a good yield on just any property. Landlords will need to invest more selectively to ensure a good yield.

* The regulatory and taxation burdens of running a rental property will be significantly higher than today. Extra costs will be partly covered by increased rents, but probably not entirely. Landlords will need to monitor their profit margins carefully.

* There will probably be fewer landlords overall. Accidental and casual landlords will exit the market (maybe even leaving their properties empty and reducing the supply of rental property). The landlords who remain will have the opportunity to own more properties and benefit from economies of scale.

By 2025 Insider thinks that the buy to let market will be very much alive and kicking. But landlords who are in the buy to let market in 2025 will need to be better informed, better advised, more creative and more professional than today. They will need to look at different ways of making money from their property – and adding value – other than just the standard family or professional let, and be more efficient. Those who rise to the challenge and see letting as a business and not a sideline or just a way of saving for a pension will be best placed to succeed.

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Property Investment: A Guide For First Time Property Investors https://propertyinsider.info/property-investment-a-guide-for-first-time-property-investors/ https://propertyinsider.info/property-investment-a-guide-for-first-time-property-investors/#comments Wed, 13 Feb 2019 09:50:59 +0000 https://propertyinsider.info/?p=447 Now might seem not such a good time to become a property investor. But if you’re one of those entrepreneurs who sees the opportunity in running against the herd, what do you need to know about getting started in property right now? As a first time property investor there are a lot of things to […]

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Now might seem not such a good time to become a property investor. But if you’re one of those entrepreneurs who sees the opportunity in running against the herd, what do you need to know about getting started in property right now?

As a first time property investor there are a lot of things to think about – not only actually finding the perfect investment property. In this report we’ll look at some of the most important things you’ll need as a first time property investor:

1.A mortgage

Interest rates might be low right now, but it’s still important to shop around for a mortgage that will best suit your needs both now and into the future.

It’s important to bear in mind that, unless you’re an established investor, this will normally be based on your income, not the income generated by the property. There will be other conditions too, such as what type of property the lender will lend on and how much money they will lend you in relation to the value of the property (known as loan to value or LTV).

2.A budget for buying and set-up costs

You’re probably focussed on the price of your property but there are some other expenses to budget for too.

The main expense is Stamp Duty, or Stamp Duty Land Tax to give it its official name. Bear in mind that you might be able to save on Stamp Duty by buying under the current threshold limits.

Other costs you’ll need to budget for include: Mortgage application fees (charged by some lenders), conveyancing fees and a survey (see later), buildings insurance. A budget to cover any refurbishment needed, or furnishings you will be providing. Agency or marketing fees needed to find a tenant.

3.Legal advice

Here’s what your solicitor or conveyancer will do:

* Check that the seller owns the property and that any existing mortgages on it (or charges as they are known) will be paid off.

* Check the title deeds, for any restrictions on what you can do with the property (occasionally this might include letting!). These are known as covenants.

* Undertake local searches with the local authority. This will reveal if any planning applications or new developments might affect the property.

* Confirm what service charges or ground rent might be payable, if any.

* Check the contract of sale drawn up by the seller’s conveyancer or solicitor.

* Accept the mortgage funds from your lender and transfer them to the seller.

* Register ownership of the property in your name at the Land Registry.

4.A survey

There are three main types of survey to consider. Take advice from a surveyor on what type of survey would best suit your needs.

* A Property Valuation tells you the current market value of the property (which may not be the same as the asking price). Your lender will want to see this and will base their final mortgage offer on it.

* A Home Buyer Report. This will tell you about the overall condition of the property and any obvious defects it has. Your lender won’t expect to see this, but you may find it helpful.

* A Building Survey. This might be needed if you’re concerned your investment property might have structural problems.

5.Financial advice

Last but definitely not least (in fact you should probably do this first), it’s highly advisable to take advice from an account or tax adviser on the tax implications of making a property investment. Also, the best way to make your investment as tax efficient as possible based on your personal and financial circumstances.

In view of recent income tax changes there can be advantages (as well as disadvantages) of setting up a limited company to buy your investment property. But this is something you really need to take professional advice on

If you’ve found this first time property investor checklist useful, you’ll find lots more useful reports on Property Insider.

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8 Reasons To STOP Investing In Property Now https://propertyinsider.info/8-reasons-to-stop-investing-in-property-now/ Wed, 07 Nov 2018 13:30:58 +0000 https://propertyinsider.info/?p=761 1.You could lose everything if house prices crash. It didn’t happen during one of the worst global financial crises ever. It hasn’t happened before or since. But who knows, it just might. 2.You’ll have to take on more debt. As a nation we’re head over heels in debt. Then again taking on debt to buy […]

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1.You could lose everything if house prices crash. It didn’t happen during one of the worst global financial crises ever. It hasn’t happened before or since. But who knows, it just might.

2.You’ll have to take on more debt. As a nation we’re head over heels in debt. Then again taking on debt to buy property is a whole lot better than debt on a credit card or to buy a car. Debt on property, capital plus interest too, is almost always covered by the rise in property values over the years.

3.You’ll make a regular income each and every month. All without taking on another job. It hardly seems fair or moral, so maybe you shouldn’t do it.

4.You’ll have to pay more tax. A depressing thought yes, that all takes the shine off the fact that you’re making more money.

5.You’ll probably have to deal with annoying problems at awkward times. Like a broken toilet on a Sunday evening. Let’s be honest though, in the league table of life’s problems problems like that hardly rank anywhere.

6.You might have to deal with tenants. Yes real people. And that would never do. (If you really can’t face the idea, there are lots and lots of letting agents who’ll do it for you – for a small consideration of course.)

7.You might find that your investment not only keeps pace with inflation, but outpaces it. A novel concept indeed, especially when you compare property with other ‘investments’ like cash savings and many stocks and shares.

8.Right now, it seems that the government doesn’t seem to want you to invest in property anymore.

If there’s ever a reason to keep on investing in property – making a sensible choice of property investments and buying at the right price – this really must be it.

What’s so good about investing in property that they don’t want ordinary people to do it?

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12 Reasons To Invest In Edinburgh https://propertyinsider.info/12-reasons-to-invest-in-edinburgh/ Fri, 22 Sep 2017 09:00:01 +0000 https://propertyinsider.info/?p=1337 Edinburgh is Scotland’s second largest population centre after Glasgow (area population 1.4m) and the UK’s seventh largest city. Official statistics say  Edinburgh has the fastest growing population in Scotland. It has grown by 9% in the last ten years, could rise by 7% by 2025, and go on to reach 619,000 by 2037. Edinburgh scores […]

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Edinburgh is Scotland’s second largest population centre after Glasgow (area population 1.4m) and the UK’s seventh largest city.

Official statistics say  Edinburgh has the fastest growing population in Scotland. It has grown by 9% in the last ten years, could rise by 7% by 2025, and go on to reach 619,000 by 2037.

Edinburgh scores very highly in most surveys on quality of life, being frequently nominated as one of the ‘best places to live’.

Official figures show Edinburgh is Scotland’s most popular location for migration.

Edinburgh overall is the wealthiest part of Scotland and one of the wealthiest parts of the UK, with a level of wealth only slightly behind that of London. Some of the UK;s wealthiest postcode districts are in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh has a strong employment market, with many highly paid jobs. It is particularly active in financial services – the city is one of the world’s largest centres for fund management. It is also strong in technology, media, telecoms and the digital sector.

The city is one of the UK’s top tourist destinations, receiving tourists from all around the world – which helps to create more demand in the property market. Around 4.2m tourist visits are made every year.

Edinburgh has one of the largest student populations in the country. There are around 65,000 students studying at four main universities. Student accommodation is in short supply and sought after.

Edinburgh has a housing shortage. There is high housing demand together with quite limited supply, which keeps property prices and rents high.

The upcoming City Region Deal for Edinburgh and South East Scotland could bring £1bn of investment into the region.

The city has the highest property prices in Scotland, currently averaging around £230,000. However, it is possible to find investment properties for around £70,000 – still far less than in London and the south east.

Average rents are the highest in Scotland, currently around £1,200 pcm according to Zoopla, meaning investors can still find attractive yields here.

Here’s another Property Insider report, which looks at the ins and outs of investing in Scotland: Investing In Property In Scotland: A Property Insider Guide

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12 Good Reasons For Investing In Coventry https://propertyinsider.info/12-good-reasons-for-investing-in-coventry/ Thu, 06 Apr 2017 11:35:07 +0000 https://propertyinsider.info/?p=1115 Coventry is one of those places in the UK that, often, doesn’t get a very good press. It’s not considered fashionable to say good things about Coventry. But, like many such places, the reality is often very different to the public perception. Here are 12 good reasons why we think you should consider investing in […]

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Coventry is one of those places in the UK that, often, doesn’t get a very good press. It’s not considered fashionable to say good things about Coventry.

But, like many such places, the reality is often very different to the public perception.

Here are 12 good reasons why we think you should consider investing in property in Coventry:

1.Coventry is the second largest city in the West Midlands (after Birmingham). It’s also the twelfth largest city in England with a current population around 345,000.

2.Coventry is one of the best connected places in the UK, being on or near the UK motorway network and well served by rail and air services. As a result it is particularly attractive for businesses who are looking to relocate.

3.Coventry is growing fast. ONS projections suggest Coventry’s population could grow by around a fifth to reach 417,000 by 2037, leading to a buoyant demand for accommodation.

4.Coventry is an integral part of the Midlands Engine programme, which aims to strengthen the economy of the Midlands over the next decade.

5.Coventry will be a part of West Midlands city devolution, coming into effect this spring. The leader of the local council has said this could unlock £568m of investment for Coventry itself.

6.Coventry is the traditional home of the British motor manufacturing industry, and in particular the HQ of Jaguar Land Rover, which supports a considerable number of jobs here. JLR are planning extensive investment in their headquarters at Whitley, to develop their engineering and development base here, and create a centre of excellence for the manufacture of electric vehicles.

7.The area also has a fledgling digital economy – well known as an industry that supports well paid jobs. Nearby Leamington Spa has been dubbed ‘Silicon Spa’, being home to over 30 innovative digital and gaming companies.

8.The HS2 high speed railway line will pass through the fringe of the area. Although there won’t be a HS2 station here construction activity is likely to bring more investment into the area, and a high demand for accommodation as a result.

9.Coventry’s city centre is undergoing regeneration, and more is planned. Friargate is a £100m 37 acre regeneration scheme to create a new business district for the city. The developers claim 15,000 new jobs will be created. Lambert Smith Hampton say the scheme has the potential to relaunch Coventry as a desirable office location.

10.There’s a housing shortage, which will help to support price appreciation in future. Press reports say that while the population of Coventry rose by 39,000 in the decade up until 2014 only 9,340 new homes were built.

11.Coventry is a major student centre, with around 50,000 students – a very high level for a city of this size. So there’s a big market for student accommodation. As well as Coventry University the highly popular University of Warwick is actually in Coventry.

12.Coventry property prices are much lower than the national average, and also lower than the average for the West Midlands as a whole. The average property price in Coventry is currently around £167,000 …. offering a good opportunity for investors to find yields.

If you interested in investing in other parts of the West Midlands, here’s a Property Insider report which looks at buying and investing in Birmingham.

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Common Mistakes Property Investors Should Avoid https://propertyinsider.info/common-mistakes-property-investors-should-avoid/ Thu, 02 Feb 2017 09:26:07 +0000 https://propertyinsider.info/?p=1058 Guest post by Emma Gettings of BIG Property Finance The majority of investors want to make it big in the real estate world, however only a small percentage will generate a good return on investment. Therefore, I’m going to help you out by sharing with you 5 of the most common mistakes that property investors […]

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Guest post by Emma Gettings of BIG Property Finance

The majority of investors want to make it big in the real estate world, however only a small percentage will generate a good return on investment. Therefore, I’m going to help you out by sharing with you 5 of the most common mistakes that property investors tend to make, including hints and tips to overcome and generate revenue from residential properties.

1.Investment property should always be bought based on analytical research

Not only should a lot of questions be asked about the property, but also to enquire about the area (neighbourhood) in which it is located.

The following is a list of questions that investors should ask when looking to invest in a property:

  • Is the property built in the vicinity of a commercial site, or will long-term construction be occurring in the near future?
  • Does the property reside in a flood zone or in a problematic area?
  • Does the house have foundation or permit issues that will need to be addressed?
  • Are there any problem areas in town?

2.Buying the wrong property

Failing to research properties properly could result in investing the wrong property for your market audience. For example, the location you choose will have a huge impact in which property type you look to buy attracting either families or young professionals.

Therefore, know your market and buy accordingly.

3.Underestimating expenses

The best advice is to make a list of all of the monthly costs that are linked with running and maintaining a property (based upon estimates) before actually making a bid. Once those numbers are added up, you’ll have a better idea of whether you can really afford it.

Determining expenses prior to purchasing a property is even more important for investors. That’s because their profits are directly tied to the amount of time it takes them to purchase the home, improve it and resell it. In any case, investors should definitely form such a list. They should also pay particular attention to short term financing costs, prepayment penalties and any cancellation fees (for insurance or utilities).

Always account for any contingencies when it comes to investing, for example unexpected maintenance costs. It is also beneficial to allow about 10% of the property’s value costs such as; land taxes, management and maintenance fees.By underestimating your income and overestimating your expenses you’re more likely to avoid any unexpected issues.

4.Doing everything on your own

Many investors think by self-managing their portfolio they will be able to find their own tenants and act as their own property managers by organising rent, maintenance, etc. and will reduce costs and increase profit margins.

In the short term, this might seem plausible, however when you are managing a portfolio of multiple properties of ten or more this might be a problem to manage such a large portfolio.

5.What will happen if you manage such a large property portfolio?

You will have to find and qualify suitable tenants, know the laws pertaining to renting, conduct regular inspections to ensure your tenants are looking after your asset, collect the rent, deal with all the maintenance issues that crop up and be on call 24/7 for your tenants.

6.What should you do instead?

Paying a professional property manager to handle the above items listed on your behalf will not only mean you get the best outcome for your rental property in terms of a good tenant and the best possible returns, it will also give you something just as valuable as money when it comes to investing time.

The time spent managing your properties could be put to far better use in finding new investments to add to your portfolio and by generating greater profits.

7.Overpaid on a property?

To avoid overpaying on a property, research should be conducted to find out exactly how much the property is worth. This can be time consuming but is vital to make sure that you are not being over charged.

When a prospective buyer finally finds a house that actually meets their needs, the buyer is naturally nervous to have the seller accept the bid.

The issue with being a nervous buyer could mean you could overbid on properties. Overbidding on a house can have a number of issues arise. Buyers may end up taking on too much debt and as a result could take years for the home buyer to regenerate this type of investment.

To find out what your potential property could be worth, start by searching what other similar homes in the area have sold for in recent months. Alternatively look at comparable homes in your local newspaper, and see what they are currently on the market for. The buyer should try to keep any bids consistent with similar home sales in the same area.

It’s just a matter of being patient in the searching process.

For more information or advice in property investments visit www.bigpropertyfinance.co.uk or contact BiG Property Finance on 0121 3487830.

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Ski Property Investment: How, Where …. and Why? https://propertyinsider.info/ski-property-investment-how-where-and-why/ Tue, 03 Jan 2017 12:52:32 +0000 https://propertyinsider.info/?p=1037 A chalet in the mountains is still high on many wishlists, though the days when people bought ski homes purely for personal use have long passed. Today a ski property purchase is often made as an investment by buyers looking for capital gain, as well as a level of rental income. While investors in UK […]

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A chalet in the mountains is still high on many wishlists, though the days when people bought ski homes purely for personal use have long passed. Today a ski property purchase is often made as an investment by buyers looking for capital gain, as well as a level of rental income. While investors in UK property have seen an increase in stamp duty – and will see a reduction in mortgage interest relief from April 2017 – many are turning elsewhere for property purchase.

The Alps,with its growing year-round market, and history of strong capital performance makes it one option for the savvy buyer. How can investors get the most out of a ski property purchase?

From Buy-to-Let to Buy-To-Ski

UK buy-to-lets have been a go-to investment, comparing favourably with property investment abroad. However, with landlords as the sitting duck target of the current government, tax changes have reduced their appeal. Acquisition costs in the UK used to compare favourably with those in Europe, but the additional 3% stamp duty fee introduced on UK second homes or buy-to-lets make investing in property more attractive elsewhere in Europe.

Comparative Purchase Costs (approx.) – UK vs. France

Purchase Price
in £

 

UK Purchase Cost in £

 

France (New Build) Purchase Cost in £ France (Re-Sale)Purchase Cost in £
100,000 3,000 2,500 6,700
750,000 60,000 18,750 50,250
1,500,000 195,000 37,500 100,500

 

In French and Austrian ski resorts, many properties are sold as leasebacks or “Let & Managed”, such as Pierre et Vacances l’Hevana development in the prestigious French ski resort in Meribel. The buyer purchases the property and leases it back to the developer for a defined number of years. The buyer can also recover the VAT (or “TVA”) on the purchase price, a saving of 19.6% in France. With developers taking responsibility for the management and rentals, this type of buy-to-let investment is attractive for the keen skier who would also like some personal use.

Likely Gains ?

Will an investment in the Alps provide a capital gain? Leading Alpine property agents Knight Frank and Savills believe so. Both of their 2016 Alpine Property Reports conclude that property values continue to grow steadily in the Alps, particularly in up and coming resorts, such as Ischgl in Austria. While there is a move away from the high-end resorts such as Courchevel and Megeve – where prices top €25,000 per m2 – buyers can get more for their money in resorts such as Chamonix and Ischgl where comparable properties cost €7,000 per m2. France Property Angels, specialists in the Haute Savoie region of the French Alps, also predict a continuing growth in values in ski resorts offering a year-round calendar of activities, such as Chamonix, Morzine and St Gervais Les Bains.

Average Annual Property Gain in French Ski Resorts in 2015

Courchevel, 2.1%

Chamonix, 3.2%

Meribel, 4.5%

Val d’Isere, 5.8%

Despite being home to some of the world’s most exclusive ski resorts, property prices in Austrian ski resorts are approximately 30% below the equivalent prices in the rest of the Alps. With constant investment in non-skiing related activities and a new focus on the 20-35-year-old market, Austrian resorts are growing at a rate of 8% a year and there are no signs of it slowing down.

Capitalise on Low Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates in France, Italy, Austria and Switzerland remain much lower than mortgage rates for a second home purchase in the UK. While UK mortgage rates are typically variable, offering a low teaser rate for 2 years before increasing upwards, long term fixed-rate mortgages are the preferred option in the EU and Switzerland. Switzerland is consistently in the top 5 of the world’s lowest mortgage rates – currently at an average of 1.19% for a 10 year fixed term, while in Austria, France and Italy it is possible to get an average rate of 2.25%, 1.7% and 2.8% (respectively) for 20 year terms. Now is the moment to capitalise on these historic low rates: rates are expected to increase in 2017, as the cost of borrowing has gone up following the US election.

Remember Currency Matters

Economic uncertainties and fluctuating exchange rates mean exposing your cash to the risk of rates moving against you. Working with a currency broker is the best way to ensure you get the best rate of exchange on the day. Often a ski property purchase requires future planning when it comes to currency. Using a forward currency contract allows you to secure the current exchange rate for use at a later date, and protect your finances from any adverse moves in the market.

What to Look for to Maximise Rental Income

1. Resort: a ski resort known internationally will increase the number of potential rentals.

2. Year-round Appeal: Many resorts in France and Austria attract a greater number of visitors in the summer than they do in winter. Flights to Alpine airports, such as Geneva, continue year-round and purchasing in a resort that has a bustling summer season increases the rental opportunity.

3. Snow-Sure Status: Snow fall should be a factor when deciding on a ski property. Whilst resorts based 1,000m village altitude may not have consistent snow fall, the more established resorts will have the facilities to ensure pistes remain in condition for as long as possible.

4. Location: It’s a familiar mantra, but location is a primary factor for rental return. Properties close to a ski lift, shops, bars and restaurants rent more easily, particularly in winter when customers want more convenience.

5. Ski Area: Generally, the bigger the ski area the better. A greater variety of terrain ensures there is an appeal for all levels of skier and snowboarders from families to experts.

Guest blog post by www.nidski.com – the leading website for buyers, sellers and owners of ski property.

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