Skip to content

Buy-to-Let Investment Guide

Want to become a successful buy-to-let investor? Get our free investment guide today for all the latest tips!

    Why Choose Buy-to-Let?

    Buy-to-let property investment is one of the most attractive options for those looking for a way to gain long-term financial security.

    When faced with the decision between unstable investment classes and a fluctuating stock market, the UK’s buy-to-let property market often comes out on top.

    When done right, buy-to-let investment can generate a consistent income that allows investors more financial freedom, even into retirement.

    If you’re interested in investing in buy-to-let and you want to find out more about how to invest in property for lucrative returns, take a look at this informative buy-to-let guide on why you should choose UK property investment.

    £30,000 Discount and FREE Furniture on Manchester 2-Bed

    Just over £40k required to exchange with flexible payment plans on offer. Approaching completion now! Owner occupiers welcome.

      The Gateway Liverpool

      Buy-to-Let Property Investment

      The UK Housing Market

      Although there has been a slight dip in the market this year, the value of UK property has been rising steadily in the period following the COVID-19 pandemic.

      Certain areas in the UK, such as Liverpool, are leading the way with this property growth, achieving a 23.37% increase by the start of 2021 and set to rise by a further 20.20% by 2028.

      A lot of homeowners in the UK have benefited massively from rising house prices and capital appreciation over the years.

      Ever since the introduction of the 1988 Housing Act’s Assured Shorthold Tenancies, the property market was opened up to buy-to-let investors, creating the potential for an accumulation of wealth outside of people’s day-to-day careers.

      In many cases, this decision to invest in buy-to-let was very profitable, especially when you look at house price growth.

      Research by the Telegraph revealed that investing in a run-down UK terraced house with two or three bedrooms in 2012 generated a market value of 180,000 by 2014 for one clever investor.

      There are examples of similarly successful investments across the UK, with the cities of the North West currently possessing the strongest growth prospects as we move towards the middle of the decade.

      House prices and rental costs are on the rise throughout the UK, with the North West region standing out above the rest.

      Cities like Liverpool and Manchester have attracted attention from savvy investors from around the globe due to the impressive rental yields and affordable property prices on offer – ranking amongst the best areas to invest in property.

      The demand for rental properties is a factor that’s contributing to the success of the buy-to-let market.

      In Q2 2021, demand for rental property reached new heights as the number of properties available for rent fell.

      With the majority of millennials being much more likely to rent than buy, the demand for rental properties from young professionals is sure to remain strong for many years to come.

      The North/South Divide

      If there’s one thing that constantly comes up when discussing the UK property market, it’s the divide between the North and the South.

      While London has long been the first point of call for many people looking to invest in property in the UK, the state of capital’s property market over the past several years has led many to start questioning whether it’s worth choosing London for their next buy to let venture.

      Highly-priced properties, declining rental prices, and resultingly low rental yields are a few of the reasons many are steering clear of investing in London property.

      Unless an investor investigates the areas in London that are expected to see some growth further down the line, they’re unlikely to make the kind of returns they’d hope.

      The North, in comparison, gives investors a much better chance of making a lucrative investment.

      Property hotspots like Manchester boast average rental yields of up to 8% and offer much more affordable property prices than the capital.

      The divide between these two areas is made obvious when you consider the average cost to buy a property in London compared to the North.

      According to Zoopla, for a two-bedroom flat in London, you can expect to pay just over £500,000, whereas, in Manchester, the same price can get you a six-bedroom house with enclosed gardens and a large driveway and garage.

      The affordability of Liverpool property, paired with increasing rental costs of 10% by 2026, has generated some highly impressive rental yields in the city and attracted a lot of interest from those who want to invest in buy-to-let.

      Liverpool boasts an average rental yield of 7.7%, with yields in certain postcodes going as high as 10%.

      In 2017 and 2018, record numbers of Londoners were reportedly leaving the capital and moving up North.

      A total of 10,200 people moved to Manchester from London in 2017, with around 30,000 of the total London leavers from mid-2016 to 2017 being in the age range of 25 to 34.

      With more people leaving the capital, many of whom are likely young professionals, demand for high-quality city centre property is dwindling in London and growing in the North.

      Liverpool and Manchester are currently experiencing record levels of demand for rental property, and with the popularity of the North as a place to live, work and invest, this demand is likely to continue for many years to come.

      You can learn more about London property by reading the London property market forecast.

      Property Investment Checklist

      Interested in investing in one of our buy-to-let properties for sale in Liverpool and Manchester? Read the information on our property investment checklist first to make sure your buy-to-let investment runs smoothly.

      1. Understand the Buy-to-Let Process

      Property investment is a big commitment, so before going forward with your investment, make sure you’re fully clued up on the process.

      2. Research the Best Locations

      Have you looked into the best areas for property investment? Research the locations that offer properties within your budget and the best return on investment.

      3. Think About Your Target Tenant

      The type of tenant you want your property to appeal to can dictate the location and property type of your investment, so spend some time deciding who your target tenant is.

      4. Consider the Responsibilities of Being a Landlord

      Being a landlord brings a lot of responsibility. Research the ins and outs of being a landlord to ensure this side of the buy-to-let process runs smoothly.

      5. Get Clued up on Financial Issues

      Last but certainly not least, ensure you’re aware of the financial elements involved with the investment to avoid any nasty surprises further down the line.

      Townhouse Investment Property in Liverpool City Centre

      Earn £17,397 assured NET rental income on this south-facing central townhouse property.

      Property Market bus

      The UK Property Market in 2023 & 2024

      The last couple of years have proven slightly difficult for the UK housing market.

      Rental costs are rising due to the increasing demand for rental properties. Rental prices rose by 9.9% annually from April 2023, according to Homelet. The good news for investors is that buy-to-let property investment is often considered a much lower risk than other investment strategies due to the property market’s proven resilience.

      For example, the COVID-19 pandemic effectively shut down the country for several months throughout 2020. Of course, this naturally affected the property market as transactions dropped sharply, with many choosing to save their money whilst cooped up in their homes.

      However, as lockdowns ended, the property market bounced back massively as investors looked for more stable ways of investing their money. Stocks, shares and cryptocurrencies were hit hard by the pandemic, while property remained relatively stable.

      The multiple streams of income you get from buy-to-let property mean you earn a passive income from collecting rent and a larger payout by selling your property with capital growth.

      There are many reasons why investors choose buy-to-let property over other forms of investment, but these main benefits sum up the most common stories we hear from our clients. The unmatched combination of security, high returns and future prospects make buy-to-let property one of the best investment classes in 2024.

      Read More: Learn more about the property market going forward with our London property market forecast and 2024 buy-to-let predictions.

      Join Our Mailing List

      Sign up to our mailing list today for information on the latest buy to let deals, new property launches, expert insights, and more.

        Frequently Asked Questions About Buy to Let

        Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we hear about buy to let property investments.

        Buy-to-let investment is considered a good venture compared to other investment types.

        So, if the market changes or property prices fall, you can hold on to your property until it is worth more again.

        There are many reasons to invest in buy-to-let, and specific properties from different buy-to-let investment companies have different advantages for different people.

        Due to the wide variety of buy-to-let properties available, you can find one that fits your goals perfectly, whether it is high monthly payments, long-term capital appreciation or a quick renovation project.

        Rental yields tell you how much money you are making from the investment property you have purchased in the form of a percentage.

        To calculate a rental yield, you need to take the annual rental income and divide it by the purchase price of the property.

        The higher the rental yield, the quicker your investment will pay for itself.

        This is an important calculation for working out how much income you can make from investing in buy-to-let.

        A property’s rental yield is the annual rent received on a property as a percentage of its market price.

        Whether you are an investment veteran with a bursting portfolio or a novice who wants to dip their toe into the waters to make the best investments, you need to be sure that the numbers add up.

        The areas with the best rental yields in the coming years will be similar to those of previous years.

        Liverpool and Manchester will continue to lead the way, while other Northern cities and towns are also expected to grow.

        Student properties continue to provide some of the highest rental yields, along with residential city-centre properties.

        For property investors in the UK, there are increasing opportunities to invest in student towns and cities.

        Many graduates are deciding to stay in the same city they studied in after graduation, boosting demand for rental property and increasing rental yields.

        City centre properties near amenities, university campuses, or workplaces are perfectly positioned to benefit from growing rental yields.

        With the North West continuing to outperform the rest of the country, more and more investors are expected to seek out profitable buy-to-let properties for sale in Liverpool and Manchester.

        While UK property investment was strong in 2020 as a whole, certain types of property have been more popular than others.

        Off-plan property, new builds, and purpose-built accommodation have all gained traction in recent years and are expected to remain some of the most sought-after property investments.

        Off Plan Properties

        Off-plan properties are essentially homes that are not yet complete but are still available for investment.

        Many investors choose to buy off-plan property as they gain a range of attractive benefits that they wouldn’t otherwise get with another property type, such as a period property.

        One of the main selling points of off-plan properties is the capital growth potential.

        Since an off-plan property is still in the development stage, there’s a chance that the property could increase in value even before it’s complete.

        The likelihood of this is even stronger in areas with existing capital growth potential, such as Liverpool and Manchester, where there’s also a high demand for new rental properties.

        One quality that new builds and off-plan properties share is the fact that tenants will be the first, or one of the first, to rent the property.

        Not only this, but newly built properties are also a lot more eco-friendly, saving around £629 a year on energy bills.

        Since a lot of young people are now becoming more conscious of environmental issues, buying an off-plan property is a good idea for investors who want to attract this type of tenant.

        Student Accommodation Investments

        Purpose-built student accommodation is another booming market when it comes to property types and one of the most popular types of buy-to-let property for sale in the UK.

        In 2020, levels of student accommodation were higher than the historic five-year average, reaching £1.9 billion in quarter one and quarter two.

        Home to some of the best universities in the world, the UK welcomes high numbers of students year after year, including those from overseas.

        Liverpool and Manchester have a combined student population of over 160,000 and remain some of the most popular UK student cities.

        This means that the high demand we saw for student accommodation in 2020 is expected to continue, making student property investment an excellent prospect to consider.

        Disclaimer

        Contact Us

        Want to Get in Touch?

        Fill in the form to contact us today and a member of our award-winning property team will be in touch to help.

          I can honestly say they have put my mind at rest from day one answering all my questions I had , true professionals, I am not experienced in buying off plan or for a rental income but I have to say the process has been smooth from sales to Chloe in client care and now I’m handed over to the final stage for the site visits
          I feel very relaxed and happy with how amazing the team have been. I I can’t wait now to see the end built ! Thanks 🙏

          Kelly Webber

          Google Reviews Logo

          I have had the pleasure of experiencing exceptional customer service from RWinvest. Adam and Michelle were remarkable and were exceedingly supportive in facilitating the acquisition of two properties in Liverpool, at "The Gateway." Their guidance was instrumental in the purchase of the properties and I express my utmost satisfaction with their assistance, and I am inclined to not only endorse but also consider any property advertised by RWinvest.

          Narendra Rai

          Google Reviews Logo

          I am very happy and satisfied with RWinvest. Their team was always responsive, supportive and friendly throughout my investment process. Thomas from RWinvest team was especially very supportive and he made sure that I have all the necessary information at the right time. He helped me with all my queries, and helped me to complete my investment process smoothly and with peace of mind.

          Babak

          Arrow left
          Arrow right
          Property Investment Tips