Frequently asked questions
This depends on what type of property investment you are considering. You can purchase property in Liverpool for example via Rightmove from as little as £35,000. You need to consider what you are buying it for and how you are going to fund it to establish how much money you will need to get started.
This depends on what type of property investment you are considering. You can purchase property in Liverpool for example via Rightmove from as little as £35,000. You need to consider what you are buying it for and how you are going to fund it to establish how much money you will need to get started.
Buy-to-let is pretty much what it sounds like – you buy a property in order to rent it out to tenants. You should consider the property as a medium to long-term investment, in investment terms. Buy-to-let investment is very different from owning your own home as it generates income for you. You will automatically become a landlord when you purchase a BTL and therefore you’re effectively running a small business – one with important legal responsibilities.
You can make money this way by generating an income via the rent charged. You can also generate cash by selling the property, if you ever decided to sell. Although house prices have fluctuated in recent years, property is still a relatively safe long-term investment.
Buy-to-let is pretty much what it sounds like – you buy a property in order to rent it out to tenants. You should consider the property as a medium to long-term investment, in investment terms. Buy-to-let investment is very different from owning your own home as it generates income for you. You will automatically become a landlord when you purchase a BTL and therefore you’re effectively running a small business – one with important legal responsibilities.
You can make money this way by generating an income via the rent charged. You can also generate cash by selling the property, if you ever decided to sell. Although house prices have fluctuated in recent years, property is still a relatively safe long-term investment.
There are a number of fees that you must consider before you purchase a property. These fees can can include:
Survey fees
Solicitor’s fees (Legal fees)
Stamp Duty
There are also running and maintenance costs associated with any kind of rental property purchased for investment. All of these must be considered before you purchase an investment property as they will need to be paid before you can exchange and complete on your property.
There are a number of fees that you must consider before you purchase a property. These fees can can include:
Survey fees
Solicitor’s fees (Legal fees)
Stamp Duty
There are also running and maintenance costs associated with any kind of rental property purchased for investment. All of these must be considered before you purchase an investment property as they will need to be paid before you can exchange and complete on your property.
If you can’t buy your investment property outright, you'll need to apply for a mortgage. Many people do this on a regular basis and it will have to be a specific buy-to-let mortgage. A standard or 'residential' loan is only relevant when you also plan to live in the property.
There are various differences between a residential and buy-to-let mortgage, and they start with the way your affordability is calculated. Instead of your salary, the lender will view the potential rental income of the property as your primary income source. Many lenders will then take your personal income into account as a secondary factor.
If you can’t buy your investment property outright, you'll need to apply for a mortgage. Many people do this on a regular basis and it will have to be a specific buy-to-let mortgage. A standard or 'residential' loan is only relevant when you also plan to live in the property.
There are various differences between a residential and buy-to-let mortgage, and they start with the way your affordability is calculated. Instead of your salary, the lender will view the potential rental income of the property as your primary income source. Many lenders will then take your personal income into account as a secondary factor.
Generally, investors do not live in their investment properties. If you chose to live in your Buy-to-let property, it is no longer an income-generating asset and it becomes owner-occupied instead. You must also consider the terms and conditions of your mortgage. If you have a buy-to-let property that you wish to move into, and which you have funded in part through that mortgage, you will need to change your buy-to-let mortgage to a residential mortgage before moving into the property itself. As a general rule, this is not common and often defeats the point of purchasing the investment property in the first place.
Generally, investors do not live in their investment properties. If you chose to live in your Buy-to-let property, it is no longer an income-generating asset and it becomes owner-occupied instead. You must also consider the terms and conditions of your mortgage. If you have a buy-to-let property that you wish to move into, and which you have funded in part through that mortgage, you will need to change your buy-to-let mortgage to a residential mortgage before moving into the property itself. As a general rule, this is not common and often defeats the point of purchasing the investment property in the first place.
A local property letting agent can help advise you on the typical rent you can expect to achieve on your investment property. We believe that happy tenants are key to success in property investment. Charging fair rents and treating tenants well means that they will stay longer, and therefore results in fewer void periods for investors.
A local property letting agent can help advise you on the typical rent you can expect to achieve on your investment property. We believe that happy tenants are key to success in property investment. Charging fair rents and treating tenants well means that they will stay longer, and therefore results in fewer void periods for investors.
Once you know how much you have for a deposit, you can start looking into what mortgage companies would be prepared to lend you. You'll be able to work out the loan to value (LTV) applicable for properties of different values. You can then use mortgage lenders' calculators to work out how much a mortgage would cost per month. If you've already worked out your monthly budget, you'll know how much spare cash you have to put towards paying a mortgage.
Once you know how much you have for a deposit, you can start looking into what mortgage companies would be prepared to lend you. You'll be able to work out the loan to value (LTV) applicable for properties of different values. You can then use mortgage lenders' calculators to work out how much a mortgage would cost per month. If you've already worked out your monthly budget, you'll know how much spare cash you have to put towards paying a mortgage.
Home equity is a homeowner's interest in a home. It can increase over time if the property value increases or the mortgage loan balance is paid down. Put another way, home equity is the portion of your property that you truly “own.” You're certainly considered to own your home, but if you borrowed money to buy it, your lender also has an interest in it until you pay off the loan. Home equity is typically a homeowner’s most valuable asset. That asset can be used later in life, so it’s important to understand how it works and how to use it wisely.
Home equity is a homeowner's interest in a home. It can increase over time if the property value increases or the mortgage loan balance is paid down. Put another way, home equity is the portion of your property that you truly “own.” You're certainly considered to own your home, but if you borrowed money to buy it, your lender also has an interest in it until you pay off the loan. Home equity is typically a homeowner’s most valuable asset. That asset can be used later in life, so it’s important to understand how it works and how to use it wisely.
A house in multiple occupation (HMO) is a property rented out by at least 3 people who are not from 1 ‘household’ (for example a family) but share facilities like the bathroom and kitchen. It’s sometimes called a ‘house share’. If you want to rent out your property as a house in multiple occupation in England or Wales you must contact your council to check if you need a licence. Renting out a property by the room tends to generate more revenue than letting it as a whole.
You must have a licence if you’re renting out a large HMO in England or Wales. Your property is defined as a large HMO if all of the following apply:
it is rented to 5 or more people who form more than 1 household
some or all tenants share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities
at least 1 tenant pays rent (or their employer pays it for them)
A house in multiple occupation (HMO) is a property rented out by at least 3 people who are not from 1 ‘household’ (for example a family) but share facilities like the bathroom and kitchen. It’s sometimes called a ‘house share’. If you want to rent out your property as a house in multiple occupation in England or Wales you must contact your council to check if you need a licence. Renting out a property by the room tends to generate more revenue than letting it as a whole.
You must have a licence if you’re renting out a large HMO in England or Wales. Your property is defined as a large HMO if all of the following apply:
it is rented to 5 or more people who form more than 1 household
some or all tenants share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities
at least 1 tenant pays rent (or their employer pays it for them)