Is buy-to-let still a sound investment?
Published on March 14th, 2010.
Is buy-to-let still a sound investment?
With little movement of interest rates and continuing drops in house prices will buy-to-let now be an investment vehicle of the past? With buy-to-let lenders tightening up their lending criteria, house prices continuing to fall and the general lack of confidence caused by the Northern Rock crisis I believe that experienced investors will still continue to buy rental stock, banking on long term capital gains. However first time landlords or landlords with smaller portfolios are finding it harder to fund new rental stock. For the well placed landlord that has the correct gearing on their portfolio it is still a time to hunt for the next opportunity! There will always be risks involved in any business or investment. For example your investment can rise or fall in value and property is clearly no different. You therefore just need to ensure that you minimise potential risks. In the past I’ve used several methods to minimise risk to my own investment portfolio. These include: Ensure the mortgage is between 80% - 85% of the property’s value. Every time your mortgage is due for renewal try to release equity. This ensures that your rent covers your operating payments and expenses. Start building a fund by putting this money to one side. Therefore if you have sudden repair bills or a vacant property you have money to fall back on. Always keep your property well maintained. If the rental market in your area suddenly changes pace the up together properties will rent much quicker. Always ensure you have a tenancy agreement in place, as this will protect you any your property. Widen the range of tenants you agree to let your property to. You may find that council tenants are able to top up rent monies by their own means, giving you the rent you have always achieved. Areas which attracts students also attracts higher rents. Wear and tear may be slightly higher, but at least the monthly repayments are being met. When increasing your portfolio look for properties that can add to the overall yield of your whole portfolio, ensuring your investments stay balanced. For example try to buy property in disrepair. Once renovated your equity should have increased, which in turn would increase your property portfolio’s yield. More recently overseas property investment has become a trend with investors searching for the next property hotspot to invest in. Things to consider when looking for your next investment whether here or abroad include: How easy is it to get to the property? Can you keep an eye on the property if it remains empty for a period of time? Will the property be let for the whole year or is the property’s location Summer or Winter orientated? Can you easily maintain the property yourself saving you the cost of employing trades people or does the rental income provide enough cash to pay for unforeseen repairs? Will the property’s location ever fall out of fashion with your intended tenants? Remember holiday hotspots change very quickly! Always ensure your investment has a steady stream of visitors. Even if the U.K buy-to-let is not as buoyant as it has been over the past decade the vehicle for investment is still sound. Ensure you put time into researching your potential investment and prepare yourself for long term capital gains. The online-lettings portal will soon allow for holiday lettings to be uploaded ensuring where ever you or your property is located tenants can always be found.Benjamin Perry CEO of online-lettings.co.uk The Specialist lettings website where you can <a href="http://www.online-lettings.co.uk">rent flats</a> or buy a <a href="http://www.online-lettings.co.uk">Tenancy Agreement</a>
Source: www.ArticlePros.com
The Purpose of E-Renter.com
The purpose of E-Renter.com is to provide our clients with technology based factual data and information. Make use of our services to order and access credit reports as part of your tenant screening procedure because chances are that if your prospective tenant fails to pay others on time, they may fail to pay you as well. Avoid risky prospects, avoid problems and reduce loss. With E-Renter.com find out what your tenants financial status is before you hand over the keys to your property. Financial problems faced by certain applicants make them unsuitable as tenants. Avoid giving away your house keys based on a decision triggered by incomplete or falsified information. Our easy to read credit reports help you avoid potential liabilities, costly evictions and lost rental income. We at E-Renter.com assist you in discovering whether your prospective tenants pay their bills on time, are facing any kind of financial difficulties or have any collections or bankruptcies filed against them. Let us help you make an informed decision. Our credit reports include the following:- FICO score Payment Patterns, Monthly Payments Aliases and Accounts balance Reported Employment/ employment verification information. Credit Limits and available Credit Items in Collection Trade Lines Inquiries SSN Match Bankruptcies, liens, Judgments All of the above present to you a current and objective picture of the financial obligations and handling capabilities of your future tenant. Get all this information at E-Renter.com and be on your guard to avoid potential fraudulent tenants. To know more about tenant screening, please visit our website http://www.e-renter.comE-Renter USA Ltd is a Consumer Reporting Agency with access to the Experian, Equifax and TransUnion Databases. We have 24/7 online direct access to consumer and business credit files as well as numerous other databases relating to credit, criminal, eviction, driving records, property deed records, assessor records etc.
Source: www.ArticlePros.com
Importance of getting your house valued when selling a house as is
While deciding to sell your house, there are certain aspects to consider for a good sale. Apart from maintaining the cleanliness quotient and ensuring all the electrical and plumbing phases are in working condition, the value of the house has to be estimated before you quote a price for it. The reasons why you want to sell your house, is the foremost consideration that is taken into account when determining the house value. The elements that need scrutiny before the valuation of the house can be made are: The location of your house, whether it is far from the city area or in the prime locations, would affect the assessment of the house. The age of the house and its current condition. The average per-square rate of the area in which your house is located. The facilities provided with the dwelling play a vital role in valuation. Whether the house is fully, partially or not at all furnished, whether it has a swimming pool, clubhouse or garden or no such facilities are available. Benefits The significance of getting your house valuated is that buyers tend to certain price ranges to fit their budgets and formulating a price close to the fair market value will better your chances of striking a good deal. All house sellers are advised that they avoid being caught up in the high price deals promised by their agents and brokers. This is because many times sellers get charmed by the high price quoted by agents thinking it is the best deal and often overlook the fact that the price quoted is way above the market value and hence will not be taken up by anyone. This in turn increases the time period of the sale, which might hamper the house’s market value even further and the sellers may find themselves selling their house for much lesser amounts than was possible earlier. Getting a professional with a good track record to value your house will not only ensure the correct price but will also save your house from being held due to a poor estimation. How to increase the value of your house You need to know the market and other house deals that have taken place in and around your area. This will help you self-analyze whether the rate estimated for your house is reasonable, even without the help of a broker. The next thing you need to decide on is a minimum price for your house. If the buyers cannot afford the stated price, they you can negotiate from that minimum price so that you still end up making a profit on the sale. You should enquire about the average selling time for a house in your area. If your home sale is taking much longer than the average time, then the problem could be the price, which would undoubtedly be higher than the market value. In order to increase the value of your house, compare it to other properties in the vicinity and alter the price if necessary. Sellers need to track market movements and make regular checks on the stock of unsold local inventory and price changes. The house tax, property tax, maintenance charges and other costs need to be considered during the evaluation.We will buy your house As Is Now in any condition including Ugly Homes. If you need to Sell Your Home Fast Orlando, Jacksonville, Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, For Lauderdale, Houston, Tampa and Fort Myers. Visit us at http://www.asisnow.com. Call 1-800-AS-IS-NOW (800-274-7669).
Source: www.ArticlePros.com
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