The Brits can’t stop talking about property. The hot topic of discussion at the dinner parties of
Ewell, Ashtead and Cheam’s movers and shakers is the subject of the Epsom Property market, but in
particular, buy to let. These people are buying up buy to let properties quicker than an ace
Monopoly player ... or so it would seem if you read the Sunday papers. So is the buy to let market a
sure fire way to make money? Is it something everyone should be jumping into? Is it a sure fire way
to make money? The answer is Yes and No to all those questions!
Firstly, the government gives tax breaks to landlords, as it allows the mortgage interest payments on
a buy to let property to be tax deductible. Also, a landlord only has to flick through Rightmove or
Zoopla, pick any property at random and agree a price. Then, find a modest deposit of 25% (often by
remortgaging their own home) which for an average Epsom terraced house, would mean finding
£99,859 for the deposit (as the average Epsom terraced house is currently worth £399,439) and
borrow the rest with a low interest rate buy to let mortgage. Finally, the landlord would rent out the
property in a matter of hours for top dollar and live happily ever after, with the rent then covering
the mortgage payments, with loads of money to spare and come retirement have a portfolio of
property that would have quadrupled in value in fifteen years. Sounds wonderful – doesn’t it? Or
does it???
Let us not forgot that the half of one per cent Bank of England base rate is artificially low. The
international money markets can be fickle and if interest rates do rise quicker and higher than
expected because of some unforeseen global economic situation, that monthly profit will soon turn
into a loss as the mortgage will be more than the rent. Even though tenants are staying longer in
their rental property, tenants still come and go and my guidance to landlords is they should allow for
void periods, plus the maintenance costs of a rental property and of course, agents fees and VAT. ..
all things that eat into that profit.
Interestingly, by my calculations, there are approximately 734 Epsom landlords owing in excess of
£13million in mortgages on those Epsom buy to let properties. An impressive amount when you
consider Epsom only has 0.069% of all the rental properties in the Country. It really does come down
to a number of important factors going forward to ensure you are water tight for the future. A lot of
my existing landlords are fixing their mortgage rates. One told me that the Metro Bank are currently
offering a 5 year fixed BTL remortgage rate at 3.79% for 5 years (based on a 75% loan). I don’t give
financial advice, so you must speak with a qualified mortgage advisor... but that sounds very fair!
However, one thing I do know is that buy to let is a long term investment, it’s a ten, fifteen, twenty
year plan and property prices will go down as well as up. You wouldn’t dream of investing in the
stock market without advice, so why invest in the Epsom Property Market without advice? We give
bespoke detailed advice to our landlords to enable them to spot trends in the Epsom Property
Market before others, enabling them to buy better properties at better prices. For example, did you
know that flats are selling for around 2% lower than 12 months ago in Epsom yet detached
properties are selling for 19% more (with every other type in between). This means we can advise on
which properties will go up in value better (or lose less if property prices drop), we can also advise
which have lower voids and which properties have higher maintenance issues.
Information on the local property market and ability to process it is the strongest asset we can give
you. As Lois Horowitz, the famous author says, ”Not having the information you need when you need
it leaves you wanting. Not knowing where to look for that information leaves you powerless. In a
society where information is king, none of us can afford that”. One place to find information on the
Epsom Property Market is here at the Epsom Property Blog, where you will find many articles just like this.
Or you can email Ian at ian@directresidential.co.uk
It's fitting time to make a few arrangements for the future and the time has come to be glad. I have perused this post and on the off chance that I might I be able to wish to recommend you few fascinating things or counsel. Maybe you could compose next articles alluding to this article. I longing to peruse much more things about it! Buy to Let Property Tax Advice London
ReplyDeleteYour music is astounding. You have some extremely capable specialists. I wish you the best of accomplishment. Property Tax Accountant
ReplyDeleteExceptionally valuable information. Want to see more posts soon!. Property Tax Advice
ReplyDeleteThe site is looking piece garish and it gets the guests eyes. Outline is really basic and a decent easy to use interface. Property Tax Advisors
ReplyDeleteI concede, I have not been on this site page in quite a while... be that as it may it was another delight to see It is such a vital subject and overlooked by such a variety of, even experts. experts. I thank you to help making individuals more mindful of conceivable issues. Tax on Buy to Let Property
ReplyDelete