Maidenhead Property Articles

… happy eid and a wonderful new year wishes to all our friends, family and clients from Appleton-Estates.

Over the last 10 years, in the UK there have been significant changes in the property prices, lending and legislation; making the buy-to-let a very attractive investment alternative.According to some statistics, in the UK, the buy-to-let mortgages now constitutes 12 per cent of all mortgage advances, compared with just 3 per cent, only five years ago.

This demand has not gone unnoticed by the property developers. They have been busily popping up new buildings all over the country almost over night. There have also been an enormous increase in the property investment clubs. Some of them are now even offering free membership, free advice etc.

The director of Appleton Estate Agents Marlow, Adil Akkus, believes neither the property developers nor the investment companies have helped the buy-to-let market in the long term. Mr Akkus personally thinks that these are the 2 main factors behind the unsustainable property price increases in the South East. He continues “there may be better investment opportunities in the older properties compared to the new-builds. Also when you look at how much discount the investment clubs seem to be getting for the same new property, one cannot stop thinking that there is a huge mark-up in the new-builds. Also, with so much money to be earned, the investment clubs seem to offer unbelievable bargains all over the country but in places you have not even heard of before.”

We advise the potential investors to be very careful in buying a property that they have not seen, in an area they do not know, and where they have little idea of rental income and resale values.

Successful property investors should be able to demonstrate a good understanding of the area and the type of tenant they wish to attract.

The old adage “location, location, location” still seems to ring true.

The Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA) claims that the level of tenants searching for a property to rent has hit a five year high in the UK.

ARLA highlights several potential reasons for the increased tenancy demand including increased levels of immigration, concerns about the housing market, and more people living alone.

The South East of the country is heading the list where there is a shortage of rental properties.

The ARLA survey suggests increased tenancy periods where tenants are preferring to stay in the property well over twelve months. Also the vacant rental property period seems to be well under a month.

Appleton Estate Agents Maidenhead have been seeing a similar trend as well.