Many investors see property as a favourable alternative to more ‘intangible’ investments. Not only does it offer the opportunity for both short-term profit and long-term gain, but it has also proven to be extremely resilient against wider economic challenges over time.
For some, property is the chance to diversify in order to better protect their money. For others, owning something tangible, (‘bricks and mortar’) gives a feeling of security that a number on a statement simply never could.
Being able to take a hands-on approach to improve a home - and directly affect its immediate earning potential and long-term capital gain - also makes property ownership an attractive prospect. Whatever the reason, if you have clear financial goals you want to achieve, property is still one of the most stable places you can choose to invest.
There are many factors that need to be understood in order to create an optimum investment strategy. These will include such elements as your objectives, short term and long term cost burdens and personal circumstances. For example, the older you are, the more you should potentially be wary of risk as you have a shorter time to correct any portfolio downturn.
Diversification is a key term. Put simply, this means having a mix of investment types with the goal being to reduce risk and yield higher returns - avoiding having ‘all your eggs in one basket'.
So, does property meet the criteria for being a suitable element of a diverse portfolio?
The Benefits of Property Investment
So, we’ve established that property is a powerful investment vehicle. But what type of property is best for you?
When assessing what makes a good property investment there are several factors to consider. It’s a good idea to take personal tastes out of the equation - be objective about what property would create the best rental opportunity as this may be very different to one that you would live in yourself.
A good letting agent will have local property experts to advise and support new landlords and ensure that they have everything they need to make an informed decision.
Important for attracting the family market and as a rule, the better the school reputation, the higher the rental value. Properties near a good school also attract a higher sale price when it comes to realising your asset.
The more jobs there are, the greater the potential rental income. Look to see if there are many major employers coming to the area and invest in property ahead of potential price increases.
Do your research. What do comparable properties earn in the same area? It’s vital for calculating the efficiency of your potential investment. You can simply look in lettings agents windows, or visit sites like Rightmove to see rental values in the area you are interested in.
Both factors affect the desirability of a neighbourhood. The lower the crime and the better the amenities, then the greater the opportunity to attract tenants, get higher rents, and improve your capital appreciation.
Different properties will attract different costs - for instance buildings insurance and local tax. Get quotes and understand what these may be as you assess your investment return potential.
You will of course need to take into account what property you can afford as well. Finding a great buy to let opportunity may not be the dream investment you think it is if you are financially stretched beyond your means.
With the right guidance and patience, a property can become a great asset and the rewards of being a landlord can be plentiful. As well as additional income there are opportunities for tax deductions and it can help you achieve long term security.
But of course, there are risks to consider which it would be remiss not to highlight.
Tax for landlords can be complex and it comes in many different forms, including;
Insurance costs can also be significant but are a necessity. A landlord insurance policy will cover the building and its contents, it can include rental protection cover and some policies can cover legal costs in the event of a dispute.
Additional cost considerations include:
These will vary to a greater or lesser degree, depending on where you live or what property you have so it’s important to do your homework and understand what your overall cost scenario looks like. A letting agent is a good place to start to help you understand your investment opportunity.
Lettings agents will also charge a fee but a good agent will provide a service and value that will save you time and money in the long run and help you make your investment as profitable as possible.
The process of purchasing a buy-to-let is not too dissimilar from buying a property to live in. If you need to finance the investment, you will need to consider a buy-to-let mortgage which tends to have higher charges than a mortgage on a property you live in. Once you have a deposit you will have to go through an affordability check to understand your budget and secure the mortgage. After you have identified a property, the mortgage provider will assess its rental value and any additional work that needs to be completed.
Once you have an offer accepted, you can then start to think about the actual process of letting it out and begin to look ahead to enjoying the benefits of investing in property.
We have many years of experience and expertise in letting property. From finding your first tenant, arranging all the legal paperwork through to ongoing management, we can help you make the smooth transition to becoming a landlord.
Countrywide Mortgage Services can help with finding you the right mortgage. Just click here to find out more.
Once you have invested in property and started your journey as a landlord, then you may wish to consider developing your business approach. Similar to investing in a stocks portfolio, property in itself can offer a diversified approach if and when you look to expand your property portfolio.
Varied location investing. There is no absolute reason to invest in property close to home; looking at opportunities across a wide area may enable you to take advantage of different yield potentials (rental income measured against the value of the property). This will also spread your risk if one area suffers a dip and helps to smooth out any variations in return.
Varied property types. Investing in a different selection of property types - from family homes to single bedroom apartments allows you to reach a variety of market segments and also protects against changes in demand for different types of property.
Pricing. Consider what mix of property may be best for your budget. Instead of a single property, could you invest in two cheaper properties instead? This could you give you a greater opportunity and again is a way to diversify and reduce your exposure to risk
Recent insight confirms that property remains a potentially strong investment opportunity especially in certain locations around the UK. Average rents excluding London rose by 3% on the year, helped by a continued rise in demand, up 32% year on year across the UK (again, excluding London). High levels of demand are meeting with a reduced supply, which may be the position for some time yet.
As a return to greater normality gathers pace, demand is set to keep on rising and a return to city centre rentals will also be seen as offices start to re-open.
*Zoopla UK Rental Market Report May 21
