Borrowing/gearing to expand BTL portfolio

Borrowing/gearing to expand BTL portfolio

11:10 AM, 30th March 2015, About 9 years ago 16

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I’m on the verge of rapidly expanding my BTL portfolio. I’ve had one on the go since 2011, bought my second in 2013 and am just about to exchange contracts on a 3rd property. However, this time I’ve borrowed some of the deposit. Borrowing gearing to expand BTL portfolio

I’m up in Yorkshire and the returns on 2 bed houses/flats are pretty good- 15% yield before tax. I’m looking to release equity from my own house, plus a personal loan to fund two more purchases this year.

What I’m wondering is – of those of you with portfolios of 5 or more properties, did you borrow/gear-up to raise deposits?

Any advice/words of warning for me?

I am looking to cut back on some of my day job duties (lots of weekends and I have a young family now) and expand my portfolio to give a serious income.

Any help/advice on this would be great.

Many thanks

Rob


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Comments

Janet Carnochan

13:11 PM, 1st April 2015, About 9 years ago

Don't borrow to fund your deposits.
I used all my money to buy houses and relied slightly on them for an income, I didn't leave a contingency fund, I have since been taken to the cleaners by 2 tenants, I have had to go back out to work full time so that I don't have to rely on the houses for income. During this time every thing went wrong, massive car bills, house bills etc so some payments were made late, not mortgages but this has impacted on my credit score which now makes getting finance difficult.
I wish I had bought one less house and kept a contingency fund.
I am getting back on my feet but and now in a situation where all my houses are needing money spent on them.
Had I done things slower I would be in a much better position now.
.

money manager

14:05 PM, 1st April 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Janet Carnochan" at "01/04/2015 - 13:11":

Experience can be painful. We are fishing in a rather different pond to the poster focussing on a prime city centre development. Our first unit was bought right at the bottom of the post 2007 boom (more luck than judgement) and we had no property problems. Unit two was a corporate purchase and they come with no "history". Within three months we were so well versed in the trials and tribulations of the wet electric central heating system that we had to bring forward the boiler replacement (£3000 + VAT). Now with four units and soon to become a fifth we have decided to bite the bullet and replace all five over the course of probably the next year. Voids in the development are unheard of, the last unit went in two days at a well aboveestablished market rent, but we still assume 20 days voids and stress test to 7% on borrowings.

Jonathan Clarke

1:21 AM, 11th April 2015, About 9 years ago

Yes I geared up as much as I could on the basis that for every £1 I borrowed i could make £20. The dangers are running short of cash to pay the mortgages or repair essentials like a boiler. So you stress test your portfolio for interest rate rises and keep a sufficient contingency fund so you can sleep at night.

. If you get that all into place then you are relatively bullet proof so buy aggressively and set yourself up for the future so you can give up the day job. You have to have the courage of your convictions but also review at regular intervals exactly why you are doing this. Its easy to say - oh just one more and get carried away.

You also have to deal with friends and family around you who will want to understand why you are doing what you do. They need to be on your side and supportive. Some will though become perhaps jealous , envious and disengage with you as you move in a different direction to them. Take time out to explain to them but be prepared to lose some friends but also make new ones

To you and me it may seem perfectly normal to build a large sustainable property portfolio but to those around you who do not share your passion they may see you as a bit off the wall. If you say acquired classic cars in the same manner and ended up with 20 cars parked outside your house tongues will wag. Words like obsessed crazy mad manic start to be bandied around about you . Keep as eye on this as it may become problematic if people dont grow with you.

To summarise.

Keep a contingency fund, act normal and make sure the missus is on board
Then leverage away to your hearts content
Good Luck
.

Rob Clark

22:00 PM, 13th April 2015, About 9 years ago

Hi Jonathan
Thanks for the feedback. To be honest - I've already had my fair share of raised eyebrows and head shaking From family members as I mention my plans.. "Just put your money in an isa" and "I'd just put my money in premium bonds" are classic responses!
Growing a profitable portfolio is my main priority and I have made a good start with 3 properties. I'd like to cut back on work commitments by the time I hit 40 (4 years to go) but knowing how many properties that will take is the big question.

Colin Dartnell

0:57 AM, 14th April 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Rob Clark" at "13/04/2015 - 22:00":

Hi Rob

I guess if you are getting high returns them the capital growth will be slower so CGT may be a lesser evil. Personally I bought everything I could and borrowed wherever I could, but I never took a penny from the growing investment.

What you want to do is grow fast but take an income from it, I doubt it would work without risk, you are only 36 keep the day job for a few years yet and build a solid future.

If you are planning to manage your own properties the more you have the more hours it will take and that eats into your family time anyway. I would keep working and give the management over to an agent (Lettingsupermarket.com only charge 4%) so keeping your hours down to normal. No midnight leaking tap phone calls!

Good luck.

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

8:34 AM, 14th April 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Colin Dartnell" at "14/04/2015 - 00:57":

I totally agree Colin.

For the sake of the 4% charged by Letting Supermarket I find it hard to understand why so many people still self-manage or use other agents.

Here's what I get for my money >> http://www.property118.com/letting-supermarket-full-management/68829/
.

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