Buying property to let out can be a good investment and help with cash flow. If you are thinking about buying property to rent out for the first time I would recommend you do your homework. The book Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki is a good start but below are a few tips to get you started. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Some buy to let mortgages are not regulated by the FCA and Commercial mortgages are not regulated by the FCA, where mentioned.
Like any investment, buy-to-let comes with no guarantees, but for those who have more faith in bricks and mortar than stocks and shares here are some tips:
1. Research the market:
2. Choose a promising area
Promising does not mean most expensive or cheapest. Promising means a place where people would like to live and this can be for a variety of reasons.
Where has a special appeal? Where has good transport? Where are the good schools for young families? Where do students want to live? Asking yourself these questions might sound over simplistic, but they are probably the most important aspect of a successful buy-to-let investment.
3. Do the maths
Before you think about looking around properties sit down with a pen and paper and write down the cost of houses you are looking at and the rent you are likely to get. Speak with us to give you an idea of mortgage costs so you can work out if the property will be profitable.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
4. Think about your target tenant
Instead of imagining whether you would like to live in your investment property, put yourself in the shoes of your target tenant. Who are they and what do they want? If they are students, it needs to be easy to clean and comfortable but not luxurious. If they are young professionals it should be modern and stylish but not overbearing.
If it is a family they will have plenty of their own belongings and need a blank canvas. Remember that allowing tenants to make their mark on a property, such as painting, or adding pictures or taking out unwanted furniture makes it feel more like home - these tenants will stay for longer, which is great news for a landlord. It is also possible to take out an insurance policy against your tenant failing to pay the rent, usually known as rent guarantee insurance. We can help you arrange this type of insurance.
5. Haggle over price
As a buy-to-let investor you have the same advantage as a first-time buyer when it comes to negotiating a discount. If you are not reliant on selling a property to buy another, then you are not part of a chain and represent less of a risk of a sale falling through. This can be a sizeable asset when negotiating a discount, especially in a tough market such as the one we have now. Make low offers and do not get talked into overpaying.
6. Consider how hands-on you want to be
Buying a property is only the first step. Will you rent it out yourself or get an agent to do so. Agents will charge you a management fee, but will deal with any problems and have a good network of plumbers, electricians and other workers if things go wrong.
You can make more money by renting the property out yourself but be prepared to give up weekends and evenings on viewings, advertising and repairs. If you choose an agent you do not have to go for a High Street presence, many independent agents offer an excellent and personal service.
Select a shortlist of agents big and small and ask them what they can offer you.
Ready to be confident you have the absolute best mortgage? Let us know the best way to contact you below and one of our top mortgage brokers will be touch to get you sorted. Even if you already have an offer or a mortgage in place, we will try to beat it.
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