Landlords: How to pick the perfect investment property
Prospective landlords must do their homework - Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Buying to let can be a complex business. Landlords are advised to follow a few simple steps to ensure they make the best investment possible.
Allison Thompson, managing director at property specialist Leaders, says: “Recent research shows buy-to-let is still the best investment option in terms of overall return.
“Rental demand for all types of properties is already at an all-time high and experts predict that up to a quarter of all households in the UK will be renting by 2025.
“As such, it is no surprise that investors remain extremely keen on property. But that is not to say every home presents a lucrative investment opportunity, so prospective landlords must do their homework to ensure a property will deliver the return they are looking for.”
Allison has identified five factors every landlord should look for in a property before buying to let:
You may also want to watch:
1) Local employment opportunities
Proximity to a number of employers will open up a wider pool of potential tenants.
Most Read
- 1 Driver dies in London Colney crash
- 2 Man 'tasered' outside Alban Arena after brawl, claim eyewitnesses
- 3 Woman arrested after wielding broken bottle in St Albans fight
- 4 Record-breaking run for St Albans' Lizzie Bird in Olympic final
- 5 St Albans MP reveals: 'Oaklands College has no intention of continuing to provide nursery services'
- 6 St Albans indies pick up six awards in regional competition
- 7 The latest court results for the St Albans area
- 8 St Albans violent crime: 'Imagine having a criminal record before having a chance to get a job'
- 9 National Trust set to open at the Abbey Theatre in St Albans
- 10 8 filming locations of Netflix royal drama The Crown in Hertfordshire
2) Excellent transport links
A nearby train station or motorway network broadens a property’s appeal. Avoid remote areas and focus on investing in a well-connected part of town.
3) Quality of housing
A good looking, well-maintained property is more likely to achieve higher rents, longer tenancies and fewer voids. Buy the best, or consider refurbishing.
4) Attractive local amenities
Proximity to shops, pubs, restaurants, schools and entertainment facilities should increase demand – and the potential for capital gains.
5) Meeting local demand
Consider your market – houses with many bedrooms suit the student market while a stylish apartment may be better suited to young professionals.
Get your buy-to-let project started today by visiting Leaders’ Property Investment Hub – a dedicated portal featuring available investment properties and, in many cases, full rental histories.
