2 bed cluster house or 1 bed modern apartment...?

http://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/35747626?search_identifier=9fba6905dcb5cf9808088a03361a2d82#CRdBTh2StOHD3mqd.97

http://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/34480603?search_identifier=9fba6905dcb5cf9808088a03361a2d82#zEYeBcmjO1spcKkJ.97

Ok, so which would you say gives a better return on your money if buying to let?

Both up for £160k - 

Personally I'd go for the two bedroom cluster house. It would rent for around £650 per month in the current market, and a modern one bedroom flat (sorry, apartment) would fetch £600 at the most. Then you've got ground rent, maintenance and insurance on the flat to pay for, meaning your return isn't as good. You'd need to collect all the figures and make a choice, but i'd take the house every time!

The flat also says 'offers over', whereas the house could be up for negotiation and be an even better return.

Do You Have An EPC? - (Energy Performance Certificate)

Do you have an EPC, or even know what one is? All properties for sale or let must have one when going on the market, however not many people know there's a register thats totally free to see them all and to check if your property already has one. You can find it here:

https://www.epcregister.com/reportSearchAddressByPostcode.html

You can search by postcode and it might save you some cash, and you check out neighbouring properties for build types, etc. It's a good research tool, and can show if the property needs upgrading (meaning negotiation on buy price).

Tenants are getting wiser to these now, and will do so more in the future I think. I'm seeing more people take note all the time. After all, would you rather rent a place that's cheap to heat, or a 'G' rated money pit?

If you would like any advice on buy-to-let properties in Flitwick or Ampthill, just drop me a line and I'll be happy to help. Graham@1st-house-lettings.co.uk - 01525 838848
www.1st-house-lettings.co.uk

Terrible Estate Agent Photos - These Are Pretty Hilarious

http://terriblerealestateagentphotos.com/

These things are good for a laugh! Click the link above for loads more, the comments are brilliant.

3 bed end-of-terrace house in Flitwick with a possible 5% yield...?

http://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/34899755#VkqK8xJ9JxY5m9qR.97

Modern 3 bedroom house in Flitwick, end-of-terrace and a half decent size for a recent build. There is a down side to this property, it backs right onto the trainline which explains why there's no photos of the rear garden!

However, if you're looking for a nice little investment these properties always rent out ok, and I think you'd get £800 per month at least for this one. If you could knock the price down to £190k (currently asking £200k) or lower then that's a nice little 5% yield!

Ugly 3 bedroom end of terrace house in Wilstead, but a nice 5.14% yield...

Jesus Christ look at that lovely 70's style carpet. Unfortunately I'm old enough to remember those well, and this place is like a step back in time. It's a pretty ugly house, check out the link here:

http://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/35473156#Uhyx0WZHJ7jKVHd7.97

If you can pick this up for £175,000 it will rent out for £750-£800 per month, maybe more with new carpets! The kitchen looks new, it has gas central heating, upvc double glazing, garage in nearby block, and Wilstead is great for easy access to Bedford, Luton and Milton Keynes. Nice little investment if you ask me.

3 Bed Semi in Maulden for £120,000???? - Potential 7.5% Yield!!!

Have you seen this 3 Bedroom Semi for sale in Maulden: http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-33215838.html

At first glance this looks like a bargain, but i'd need a closer inspection. Judging by the photos and looking at the windows, can you see a reveal around any of them? This tells me it might not be standard construction and could be unmortgageable, meaning difficulty in finding a lender to fund it. Definitely worth checking beforehand.

If you're looking at buying for cash to do up and sell, would your buyer obtain a mortgage once you've renovated it? Worth looking into.

Unless you've budgeted for the necessary structural work and had a surveyors opinion then you still need to research this one properly. Of course if you're buying with cash and holding long term then you might not care - but i'd still be aware of the potential implications when it comes to sell on.

I'll be interested to see what this sells for, and what the buyer does with it. Could be a bargain, could be a huge mistake! Offers must be in 12 noon on 6th Feb, good luck if you're going for it.

Once renovated I'd expect to achieve £900-£995 per month if let out, depending on the quality and rental demand. As it is you could still get £750 per month, meaning a fantastic 7.5% yield if bought at the £120,000 reserve price. 


(By the way it annoys me when agents don't include floor plans, I always insist on one when selling or renting my properties!)

5.87% Yield for two bedroom flat in Flitwick - Not to be sneezed at!

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-47145376.html

We used to manage this flat and it used to rent for £650-£675, depending on demand and time of year. The rooms are a decent size, the kitchen was refitted around 18 months ago, it's got parking, gas central heating and double glazing - it would be ready to let straight away.

If you can grab this for £140,000 and rent it for £675pm then thats a 5.78% yield - not bad for Flitwick!

If you would like any advice on investing in Flitwick and the surrounding villages then drop me a line at graham@1st-house-lettings.co.uk and I'll be happy to help.