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Research on buy to let in my area.

Hi everyone

I am a first time buyer looking into purchase a buy to let property in my local town.
Before I commit myself to buying, I am wanting to do some research in what sort of rental property is in high demand in the area.
Where should I be looking or who should I be asking to at least give me a rough idea of what sort of properties I should be looking for?
Would it be cheeky of me to ask local letting agents about what sort of properties tenants are looking for at the moment?

Comments

  • marliepanda
    marliepanda Posts: 7,186 Forumite
    kh888 wrote: »
    Hi everyone

    I am a first time buyer looking into purchase a buy to let property in my local town.
    Before I commit myself to buying, I am wanting to do some research in what sort of rental property is in high demand in the area.
    Where should I be looking or who should I be asking to at least give me a rough idea of what sort of properties I should be looking for?
    Would it be cheeky of me to ask local letting agents about what sort of properties tenants are looking for at the moment?

    I don't see why it would be cheeky. They make their money from landlords, more prospective landlords, more potential money for them...
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Talk to agents.
    Look at ads in the local paper/Rightmove.
    Consider type of tenant - university town? etc
    Do budget - capital expnse Vs realistic rental incom
  • BitterAndTwisted
    BitterAndTwisted Posts: 22,492 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    If it's your local town you should have a good idea already about what kind of people who are living there. Is it family-friendly or a single or sharers rental-market?

    In the first instance you could do some research on sites like RightMove which should tell you what local market-rents are. You should know what the average purchase-price is.

    Of course, the first question in my mind is why would a person who does not own a property already be looking to purchase a BTL rather than a home of their own? BTL is not a risk-free way to invest your money. Also, the received wisdom is not to invest all of your savings in one type of investment vehicle. BTL is very long-term.

    A safer way could be to buy a home to live in yourself but buy one big enough to take in a lodger. Less risky and less tax to pay.
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