Buy-to-Let Investment Guide
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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.
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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.
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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.