Property Investor Guides

General guide to investing in UK Property These guides are are intended to give property investors some thought provoking information and calculation charts to encourage them to properly research their intentions and lead them into making better informed decisions about their investments. Background to property investment for the rental market Within living memory UK property values have steadily increased ahead of inflation giving those people who invested in property a great return on their investment. Since around 1996 people began to seriously invest in property to for the rental market and as lenders supported the trend with cheap mortgage products the opportunities became irresistible. The property investment market known as the buy-to-let (BTL) market was born. The current market for property investment In 2015, the then chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne introduced a series of tax changes which were intended to slow the growth in buy to let property ownership. Some of Read more

As we mentioned in the initial guide General Guide To Investing in UK Property, one of the first considerations for anyone considering investing in property is to ensure you understand your true reasons for making your investment. Only then will you be able to fully and unequivocally carry out the research needed to enable you to make the right decisions. Common reasons for investing in property Property renovation- The aim here is generally to buy renovate and sell in as short a time as possible and then repeat the exercise to build your capital. Building a property investment business – Investing in multiple properties and creating a portfolio of rental properties which could include a mixture of properties for renovation for later sale or rent would be the main aim. Buying investment property to provide support in retirement – People approaching retirement may consider investing their spare capital in rented property to provide Read more

Buying property to renovate and sell on With the historic growth in property prices many people who engaged in property renovation have now made their fortune. However as in all forms of investment, renovating property requires good project management skills if a successful outcome is to be achieved. Financing a renovation project – If you will require finance for your project then you will need to consider carefully the options that are available to you prior to committing yourself to the project. Property financing is covered elsewhere on this site. Assess your skills – having the skills to manage such a project will be vital to success and will define the limit of the complexity of renovation projects you should consider. DIY skills on their own must never be your sole basis for attempting a complex renovation project as your success will be more to do with the planning and managing contractors functions Read more

Buying new build BTL property and buying BTL property off-plan Investors entering the buy to let (BTL) investment market in the UK are often attracted to the advantages offered by the many new build developments to give them the security of knowing that everything is new and will generally covered by building guarantees for a good number of years to come. This certainty gives a lot of peace of mind as the troublesome problem of handling repairs is generally avoided. Investing in New build property Buying a new build or off plan property can provide investors with some worthwhile benefits. Benefits of new build property New build property features – Large property developers generally take great care to ensure their developments contain a good variety of house types to appeal to a wide range of purchasers. Developers will often have good outdoor spaces with provision for off street parking. Minimum repair bills – Read more

Investors buying or selling property at auction Over the last decade, property auctions have become widespread and are frequented by an ever growing number of property investors. With over 260 property auction houses across the UK there will be several auctions held each month at venues near you. Attractions for investors using property auctions Property auctions allow for the speedy exchange of property which helps sellers dispose of their unwanted property but provides the astute investor with the opportunity of obtaining a bargain. This is particularly true where distressed property is being auctioned. Notice of properties being auctioned - Check the auction house website for upcoming auctions and browse through the properties that will be sale. Property types – Choice will be very wide and varied and will range from land purchases derelict buildings to tiny flats and great mansions. Commercial property such as shops and offices to trading businesses will also feature. Read more

Buying freehold or leasehold property Investors is planning to purchase property residential purposes or investment in the buy to let (BTL) rental market need to consider the type of title you will hold on the property as this may affect the properties future value and may impact on lender willingness to provide mortgage finance. Freehold and leasehold are two fundamentally different legal forms ownership. Estate agents often gloss over their meaning but the difference can be between acquiring a property that is worth buying and one that is not. Buying freehold property Freehold title means that you have absolute ownership of the land and all buildings that stand on that land can do with it what you please subject to local planning regulations and building regulations. Advantages of holding freehold title to a property Annual ground rent – Freehold title means that you will not be required to pay annual ground rent as Read more