
There's a lot to think about though. Whether it’s a home to live in or an investment.
There's nothing quite like a face-to-face chat with an expert, but here's a quick summary of useful tips and reminders for you buyers.
Before you do anything else, we say do your research and find out how much you can actually afford to spend on a property. Take into account any available cash you have for a deposit and then speak to a mortgage broker, or a selection of providers and find out what they'd be willing to lend you. Make sure they put their ‘in principle' offers in writing, as this will show estate agents that you are in a position to start making offers on properties that suit your requirements.
Don't forget, you'll need to put money aside for the stamp duty land tax too.
So, you've scoured the estate agents' websites and windows, poured over the property portals and pounded the streets figuring out where you might like to buy.
Time to book in some viewings.
When viewing a property, use the estate agent and ask questions. You might want to think about things like:
You've found a property and you’ve got your heart set on buying it. Call the estate agent and let them know how much you're willing to offer for it. Don't be surprised or too disappointed if your first offer is declined – that's the name of the game and buying a property is all about negotiating.
If a certain property has generated a lot of interest, you might be invited to take part in a sealed bid.
Fingers crossed.
When your offer is accepted, you'll need to employ a conveyancer. This legal specialist will handle any negotiations to do with the purchase of the property on your behalf. They'll check all the paperwork is in order and take care of the details of the contract for you.
Most people hire a chartered surveyor, too. The surveyor will do a full survey of the property, highlighting any possible problems that might need looking at, which could end up being quite costly later if they go unnoticed. There are two types of survey you can buy; a homebuyer's report and a building survey.
Buying a property costs money; a lot of money. You'll be asked to hand over your hard-earned cash throughout the process.
The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
Council of Licensed Conveyancers
The Association of British Insurers
Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE)
The Law Society
Ombudsman services: Property
Got a question? Contact us whenever you please
Buy-to-let properties are often great investments, but you must look at it as a medium to
long-term investment and not the means to a quick-buck.
Buying a property to rent out is a very popular income-generator for us Brits. There are the prolific investors with their massive portfolios, who make a living out of buy-to-let and then there are those of us who invest in a single property as a sideline, or a clever pension.
It's really important to research the area you're thinking of buying in because this will possibly determine the type of tenants you're likely to attract. We'll help you with that and advise you on the rental income you can expect. Also assessing whether that balances out with the investment you could be about to make.
As you would with any business, you need to plan and figure out what kind of money you could make from the property before committing.
(total income per year ÷ the value of the property) x 100 = % gross yield
([total income – total costs] ÷ the value of the property) x 100 = % net yield
mortgage repayments + estimated refurb costs + vacant time (estimate 30 days per year) + service charge and ground rent (if the property is leasehold)
Set a realistic rent. Setting a high rental value will put off tenants and could well increase the amount of time your property is vacant. This means you'll be forking out money, but there'll be none coming in.
This is our super-quick guide to buy-to-let. Of course, there is so much more to the process and every single case is different. So, we recommend you speak to our team and seek independent advice.
Online valuations provide an estimate of how much your house is worth, based on average property prices in your area. But these are based on the assumption that your home is typical of those in the area. We therefore always recommend that an estate agent visit your property to discuss how to market your property to the best effect given your circumstances, the timeframes you are working to and the sale price you hope to achieve.
Our unique multi-channel approach to marketing your property is designed to showcase it in a way that entices potential tenants to enquire about the property. We have a team of local experts who work with you to secure the very best applicants, paying the maximum price for your property, all within a timeframe that suits your needs.
We understand that sometimes it can be extremely stressful and time consuming when managing the day to day affairs of your rental property. This is why we have employed decades of knowledge and experience to develop a streamlined model which ensures that things run as smoothly as possible with the minimum amount of stress for you, our client. We pride ourselves on our work ethic and the commitment we dedicate to our clients, and stride to exceed your expectations every time..
At Ideal Properties we work closely with reputable financial advisers who would be more than pleased to compare the latest mortgage deals and devise a mortgage which is tailored to your individual sales situation. The financial advice that they would provide you with would be totally impartial. They also understand and appreciate the time restraints involved with the purchase of a property, and work to ensure that a product is recommended within a timely manner.
We’ve already done all the hard work and research so you don’t have to. Whether you’re moving back to the UK from abroad, downsizing, looking to take the next step on the property ladder, or looking to invest in property, we have an expert for you with a thorough knowledge of the local area, and could tailor your search to your personal requirements. Whether it’s schooling that is a priority for you, or it could be transport links, maybe certain activities, or even a combination. We’ve got you covered!
When a problem is reported, we will notify by e-mail, text or letter immediately and we keep you in touch with progress. You will also receive regular detailed financial statements. Furthermore, we have specialist contractors with a vast amount of knowledge that can cater for any maintenance issue which may arise. We can also refurbish your property. From minor decorating, to refitting kitchens and bathrooms, to a full refurbishment including structural works.