Questions from a property speculator

Questions from a property speculator

13:09 PM, 15th April 2014, About 10 years ago 15

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I see myself as being more of a property speculator than a property investor or a landlord. I would very much appreciate your views on my considerations and deliberations. Questions from a property speculator

I have seen some very nice leasehold flats which I can buy new build, fully furnished for £183,000 each. This represents quite a significant discount on the recorded sale prices at land registry. I think the developers are keen to get sales agreed before the half year results period, hence I also managed to negotiate a quality furniture pack to be thrown into the deal if I am able to complete of all three by the end of June.

I can comfortably afford to buy three of the properties outright.

My thought process is a very simple one. The pundits are expecting the property market to grow by 30% in value by 2020 and based on my own research I concur with this view. On that basis I would stand to make £164,700 before CGT if I simply buy them and lock them up for 6 years. I appreciate that I will have to pay Council Tax, ground rent and service charges in the meantime and that adds up to around £18,000 X 3 over the period. I will also have to factor in legal costs of purchasing and selling as well as estate agents fees but nevertheless the return, even after CGT is likely to be far greater than I would get if I left the cash in a bank account.

The alternative I have considered is to let the properties. However, I would then have to factor in wear and tear as well as the associated hassle of dealing with tenants, collecting rents and a whole plethora of other legal matters. I don’t really know whether I’m cut out to be a landlord.

I have been advised that if I do decide to let the properties I should receive around £875 pcm of rental income. However, this would be reduced by around 30% to 40% after factoring in letting agents commissions, inventories, gas safety checks, rental void periods and ongoing maintenance.

If you were me, what would you do?

Thanks in anticipation.

All the best

James


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Comments

Yvonne B.

21:03 PM, 15th April 2014, About 10 years ago

Hi, I've had a think about what I would do in your position - as follows;
I am based in the North of Manchester area, prices have risen here yet so it's a good time to buy, 2 bed terraced can be purchased for around £50-60k, expect prices in around 6 years to be £75-85k (pre 2008 prices). With your £549k to start you could purchase 11 outright, but the best way is to let & gear up, this way you could purchase 25 plus, the rent will pay for the mortgages and costs. Safety in numbers - if one area goes down or 1 or 2 properties empty it won't affect the portfolio. Best bit - each property value will rise £20k approx in 6 yrs - 25 x £20k = £500k - because they are small values, you can sell one each year to use up your CGT allowance. Buying only 3 properties will result in a large capital gain on the sale of 1 and therefore not as tax effective.
I have had my own portfolio for 10 years and manage for other people so I know the market well up here. Rental income on a 2 bed terrace is approx £425 pm before any fees, much higher return on investment than your South East properties, also demand is high and mine have never been empty in the last 10 years!
Whatever you decide, good luck and enjoy it!

Anthony Endsor

22:05 PM, 15th April 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Yvonne B." at "15/04/2014 - 21:03":

Just to add my input to this comment, which I personally think is the best idea, it would also provide the quickest way for prices to go up, as fewer would be for sale because more would be owned.... by you! So instead of owning 3 and having them go up maybe £50k each or so, you could own 20 plus, all going up maybe £20k or possibly more.
I would try and get 3 bedroom houses if possible, particularly distressed properties such as repossessions, estate wind-ups and refurbishment projects. Do them up, let them out, get them managed by agents so they have the hassle and not you, then in a few years, sell the lot and retire to the beach 🙂

Jeremy Smith

23:40 PM, 15th April 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "James A" at "15/04/2014 - 18:01":

I really would NOT go down the 'gearing' model, my recent experience of getting a mortgage has NOT been a good one so far.

There are the up front costs, which are not insubstantial, then there will be hefty early redemption charges if you want to sell one within the first year or two if you see the market take a really good upturn which you think will not last, then there is the possibility that interest rates will rise within the next 2-3 years, and definitely within 6 years.
The recent mortgage company I am involved with still want to charge me a fee for taking a buildings insurance if it isn't with them, and I guess there are other things I know not of, which could affect you if you are tied in with a mortgage company.

The best thing is to only have to report to oneself.
You will still have a freeholder to deal with if they are flats, I'm sure they will be problematic enough if you are leaving the premises empty.

Yvonne - DON'T tell everyone!! - I've just started buying up there too, I don't want too mch competition for these cheap, high yielding investments, but I can't tell you where I have found!! -ssshhh, it's supposed to be a secret. !!

Rob

9:27 AM, 16th April 2014, About 10 years ago

What if the market crashes when rates go up? I wouldn't assume prices will continue rising just because of the press. If you don't want to or can't flip the properties then You may have to consider this investment idea over a 10 year period just in case. You need to bear it in mind that the prices might not rise above what you paid.

Jonathan Clarke

15:46 PM, 18th April 2014, About 10 years ago

Hi James

How rich do you want to be and when do you want to give up your day job is the question

Please dont miss a golden opportunity by buying cash and not letting them out.
If 3 units make you money then 4 will make you more and 5 more and 6 more.
Each property you buy is a sucessful business in its own right. Following that logic the more properties you have the more money you will make.

I built a high yield high leveraged portfolio and maximised my gains by earning 20% - 40% gross on every £1 I invest.

With your 549K
I would buy maybe 15 properties @ 125K each gearing at 75% LTV
Portfolio worth £1,875,000
30% gain in 6 years = £562,500 gain
Fully managed = £250 net income pcm for each = 270K by 2020
Buy 5 more along the way with the spare cash flow and you have a
2.5 million portfolio
At 5% a year thats 125K growth pa plus your 60K pa cash flow
You can employ a dedicated property manager at 30K pa to manage so your input is absolutely minimal . Dont sell after 6 years. Its madness to sell an appreciating asset especially when you have a 150K pa job as a security back up.

If you enjoy your 150K pa job then just build this in the background ticking over and keep working. When you tire of working this is your back up plan already in place . You have a healthy passive income and an excellent capital asset base .

Good Luck

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