Thursday, 9 February 2017

Should you still be investing in Warrington Buy to Let Property?

If I were a buy to let landlord in Warrington today, I might feel a little bruised by the assault made on my wallet after the last 12 months by HM Treasury’s tax changes on buy to let. With 18,046 people in private rented properties in Warrington – is the market now saturated?

To add insult to injury, Brexit has caused a tempering of the Warrington property market with property prices not increasing by the levels we have seen in the last few years. I think we might even see a very slight drop in property prices this year. If that does happen, first time buyers could be attracted back into the Warrington property market; meaning less demand for renting and a decrease in average rents.

Yet, before we all run for the hills, all these things could be serendipitous to every Warrington landlord, almost a blessing in disguise.

Warrington has a population of 163,873, so when I looked at the number of people who lived in private rented accommodation, the numbers astounded me …



Yields will rise if Warrington property prices fall, which will also make it easier to obtain a buy to let mortgage, as the income would cover more of the interest cost. If property values level off or come down, that could help Warrington landlords add to their portfolio. Rental demand in Warrington is expected to stay solid and may even see an improvement if uncertainty is protracted.

However, there is something even more important that Warrington landlords should be aware of: the change in the anthropological nature of these 20 something potential first time buyers.

I got chatting with my wife’s nephew and his partner at a family get together.  Both are in their mid/late twenties, both have decent jobs in Warrington and they rent. Yet, here was the bombshell, they were planning to rent for the foreseeable future with no plans to even save for a deposit, let alone buy a property! I enquired why they weren’t planning to buy and the answer surprised me.

They don’t want to put cash into property, as they would rather spend it on living and socialising –going on nice holidays and buying the latest tech and gadgets. They want the flexibility to live where they choose and they don’t like the idea of paying for repairs. All their friends feel the same. I was quite taken aback that buying a house is just not top of the list for these youngsters.

So, as 11.0% of Warrington people are in rented accommodation and as that figure is set to grow over the next decade, now might just be a good time to buy property in Warrington – because what else are you going to invest in?  Give your money to the stock market run by sharp suited city whizz kids – because at least with property – it’s something you can touch - there is nothing like bricks and mortar!

If you are looking for an agent that is well establishedprofessional and communicative, then contact us to find out how we can get the best out of your investment property.

Email me on manoj@hamletwarrington.co.uk or call on 01925 235338. If you are in the area, feel free to pop into the office – we are based on 6 Bankside, Crosfield St, WA1 1UP. There is plenty of free parking and the kettle is always on.
Don't forget to visit the links below to view back dated deals and Warrington Property News.


Follow The Buy-To-Let Property Investment Market in Warrington

Warrington Property Market LinkedIn Page

Hamlet Homes Letting Agents Warrington Facebook Page

Hamlet Homes Letting Agents Warrington Twitter Page

Warrington Investment Property Specialist Hamlet Homes Website


Thursday, 2 February 2017

Ask Andy – “What documents do I need for my Warrington property in order to move a tenant in?”

Landlord’s Question:
‘’Dear Andy,
I have just bought my first buy-to-let property in Warrington – a three bed semi detached in Great Sankey. I’ve done my research and know what tenants I can attract and what price I can expect per month for my property, but I’m confused as to what documents I need to rent my property out.
What documents and checks do I need to do before I move a tenant in?
-Steve’’

Andy’s Answer
You’ve taken the first big leap of buying a property to let, but there are still more legal hurdles to jump when it comes to renting your house and making sure it is safe for a tenant to live in.
Some of the ones I’ve listed are legally required and help to ensure your tenant’s safety. Others are recommended as best practice.
Gas Safety Certificate
As a landlord, you have a legal responsibility to instruct a Gas Safety registered engineer to carry out the checks and produce a certificate. You need to give this certificate to the tenant when they move in. You also need to make sure that you have a gas safety check done once a year thereafter.
Legionella Risk Assessment
Landlords are responsible for keeping properties safe and free from health hazards – including legionella. Legionella is a bacterium found in water which causes Legionnaires Disease (a pneumonia type of disease).
As a landlord, your responsibility is to have a competent person carry out a risk assessment to assess the risk of exposure to Legionella to ensure the safety of your tenants. You can carry out the assessment yourself, but you must ensure you know what you are doing. It may be safest to use a contractor to carry this out if you are unsure, for the time being.
Energy Performance Certificate
This certificate is to check the energy efficiency of your property. They last for ten years and grade your property on their efficiency. You should have one from the sale of the property.
As of 1st April 2016, tenants can request consent from their landlords to carry out energy efficiency improvements to their properties if they follow a set process. Should this happen, you can’t reasonably refuse the request; however, the request should have no cost to the landlord (unless you agreed to pay towards the works).
From April 2018, your property will need to have a minimum rating of E, which means a lot of older and poorly insulated properties may struggle.
Electrical Certificates or PAT Tests
Electrical Certificates are not currently legally required of a landlord yet, but it is legally required that your electrical installations are safe when the tenancy begins and are in proper working order throughout the tenancy. It’s recommended that you have a professional carry out the electrical certificate every five years, or upon changing of tenants.
In single let residential property, there is no legal obligation to carry out a PAT test, but it may be something you wish to do if you have provided portable appliances. If you don’t have a PAT test or an electrical cert carried out, you should check that all your electrical installations are visually adequate (no cracks to sockets or burn marks, etc.).
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
At least one smoke alarm is required per floor of a property and you must carry out a check to ensure that the alarms installed are in proper working order on the day a new tenancy begins. Other than that, it is recommended that you follow manufacturer’s instructions when it comes to placement of the alarms.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms are only legally required where there is a solid fuel burning appliance (e.g. a log burner). As gas is not a solid fuel, there is no requirement, but they are recommended in close proximity to a gas boiler as best practice.

These are the legal (or recommended) documents which are required when letting your house as a single dwelling. As you can see, there’s a lot to think about when preparing your Warrington Property!
If you are looking for an agent with experience that can help you prepare your property and find the best tenants for it, then contact us to find out how we can get the best out of your investment property.
Email me on andy@hamletwarrington.co.uk or give me a call on 01925 235 338. Pop in for a chat – we are based on 6 Bankside, Crosfield St, WA1 1UP. There is plenty of free parking and the kettle is always on.

-Andy




Thursday, 26 January 2017

How to Finance your Buy-To-Let Property in Warrington

Recently I have been getting a lot of emails from first time landlords in and around Warrington. The biggest thing that stood out to me is how hesitant first time investors in Warrington are and this can be for numerous reasons, a question that keeps cropping up on the emails Is “how do I finance my buy-to-let property”

Here at Hamlet Homes we are always keen to encourage people to research their own buy to let (BTL) mortgages, but there’s no doubt it can be very daunting.  There are a few key concepts you need to understand and I’m going to outline them here for you.

What mortgage do I need?         
                                                                 
Most investors choose to take out interest only loans, because the interest can be set against your rental income, making this a relatively tax efficient transaction.  The lender will look at your credit file, and most expect borrowers to have their own home mortgaged or owned outright and have a minimum income of around £25,000 – although this varies depending on the lender.  Some major lenders like Birmingham Midshires and The Mortgageworks don’t require earned income, but their credit score is consequently more onerous, especially at higher loan-to-value ratios (LTVs).




How will my credit score and income be calculated?

Credit scoring plays a key part and having a high credit limit on a card can increase your credit score. However, using the credit facility regularly can reduce it quite dramatically and your credit score will be spared from impairment if your balance is below 50% of your total credit limit. Lenders can be fussy about what they include when calculating your income, and most disregard the forecasted rental income that the property will command.  They also tend to favour employed income from a payroll, and things like bonuses and earnings from zero-hours contracts may be overlooked.


What about lending criteria?

Rental income must cover 125% of the mortgage but almost all lenders now calculate prospective payments at a higher notional rate of 5%, rather than the agreed mortgage interested rate. This makes it harder to obtain finance and is aimed at acclimatising borrowers to the likelihood of interest rate rises in the short to medium term.  Lending policy also tends to favour landlords with smaller portfolios and most lenders place a cap on how many properties you can own, regardless of who the loan is with – usually between 3 and 10 or if not, a cap on how much you can borrow overall.


And what interest rates should I expect?

In 2009, typical buy to let interest rates were around 5.25% with often an arrangement fee of around 2.5% of the loan applied, but thankfully rates and fees have fallen considerably, and at 75% LTV you are now looking at an interest rate 2.5% to 3.5% with fixed fees of less than £2,000. If you have a bigger deposit and can stretch to a 65% LTV, rates can be as low as 2%.  New entrants like Virgin Money, The Mortgage Trust, Precise and Aldermore – though not always the cheapest – have helped to increase competition.


How long will the process take?

The whole application process can be very slow and pedantic – with an average completion of 8 weeks –and the big three BTL lenders have about two thirds of market share partly because of their speed and efficiency: TMW, BM and Godiva. 

Should I use a broker?

Around two thirds of landlords choose to use a broker but be aware they may steer you towards specialist lenders who are not necessarily the best value.  Often building societies who mostly deal direct with customers can have some of the best deals, so try carrying out your own research by looking at interest rates.

Is it ready to let?

Mainstream lenders will require the property to be habitable and ready to let in order to proceed, which means a working kitchen and bathroom and no damp or subsidence.  Many won’t lend to flats over four storeys high, flats over commercial outlets or to freehold buildings containing flats. For situations where the property requires works, you could try commercial lenders like Lloyds, Shawbrook, Bank of Cyprus, private or other high street banks, but expect to pay an arrangement fee of at least 1% and interest rates of around 4% on loans of up to 70% of the value of the property.  Interest-only loans are harder to come by in this sector and your repayment term will be shorter – say, 15 years instead of 25 – but there won’t be any caps on the number of properties you own. 

Is bridging finance for me?

Bridging financers are the funders of last resort, usually lend on a non status basis at 65% LTV, and involve much higher costs of generally around 1% per month with no arrangement fee. It’s a bit like buying on a credit card. The advantage is the property can be in any condition – within reason, but be warned: never obtain bridging finance without a clear exit strategy and be aware that you will be stuck on it for six months before you can apply for a remortgage.

Growing a portfolio

I hope this has all been useful. Remember, once you have a mortgage, and if the property increases in value, you can think about growing your portfolio by releasing equity and applying for a further advance.  People often release funds from their own homes in this way to buy an investment property. Its called capital raising, and most lenders will allow it for the purposes of buying property, though they may insist you own the property for 6 or sometimes 12 months, and apply a lower LTV.

I myself am a Landlord and I have explored plenty of different creative options, I have shared my experience with Warrington landlords I currently work with. If you are looking to invest in the Warrington Property Market and the finance side of things is putting you off then why not pop in for a chat if you are in town. There is plenty of free parking, my office address is 6 Bankside, Crosfield Street, WA5 0LR, alternatively you can catch me on email which is
manoj@hamletwarrington.co.uk or on the phone 01925 235338.


Don't forget to visit the links below to view back dated deals and Warrington Property News.

Follow The Buy-To-Let Property Investment Market in Warrington

Warrington Property Market LinkedIn Page

Hamlet Homes Letting Agents Warrington Facebook Page

Hamlet Homes Letting Agents Warrington Twitter Page

Warrington Investment Property Specialist Hamlet Homes Website

Thursday, 19 January 2017

Ask Andy – “How Much Rent Can I Really Get For My Warrington Property?”




Landlord’s Question:

“Hi Andy,

I have been following the Warrington property blog for some time now and really enjoyed reading the ‘Ask Andy’ section last month. I have a rental property in Warrington – a 3 bedroom semi on Smith Drive. I have no problem letting it. It’s usually snapped up within a week of advertising.

The current rent I get for it is £625pcm. The property will be empty in 2 months and I wanted to ask you how much rent can I actually get for my Warrington property?

Am I under or over charging?

Thanks,

Neil”


Andy’s Answer:



Hi Neil, I’m glad you enjoyed the ‘Ask Andy’ section last month and thank you for following the Warrington Property Blog. Now, you raise an interesting question. Without actually coming out to see the property I will have to work with averages. The average rental price for a 3 bedroom semi on Smith Drive is £750pcm.

As you can see, you are currently under charging and this will explain why your property isn’t on the market long when you list it as to let! However, I do get asked this question at least one or twice a year, so I think it would be fair to explain my thoughts behind an appraisal and how I arrive at the figure in the first place.

Getting the Most from your Property

When you are renting out property, you want to be able to maximise your profits, whilst also being fair with prospective tenants. If you charge rents which are too high, you are likely to put people off, which can make it difficult to get your property let.

These are some basic points landlords should consider when trying to find the right rental price to charge tenants.

Location VS Competition VS Demand

The location of the property is one of the main considerations when it comes to pricing up your rental property. If the property is in Stockton Heath, Appleton, Grappenhall, etc then the numbers will naturally differ as these are the most desirable areas in Warrington.

I was conducting a best price guide for one of our Warrington landlords in the Great Sankey area recently and within a 1/4 mile radius of their postcode, there were over 9 similar properties available to rent! Two of the properties are still being marketed since first being listed in October 2016!

Unfortunately, the demand for properties in this location did not outweigh supply… quite the opposite. So in these situations, I would recommend marketing the property just under market value to give you a competitive edge. Yes, you can hold out for that extra £25 a month but – here’s the kicker – holding out for £25 more on the rent could lose you £725 per month! How many £25s go into £725?

For out-of-town properties, you may have less competition. However, if you over-price, you will still struggle to let it out. The key is to find a balance between what is currently available against what has been let in the last 6 months (and take into consideration what your appetite is to get a quick let and reduce any void periods.)

Know your Target Audience

You should also think about the type of tenants you are looking for in your property. Are you happy for students to let your property or would you prefer working professionals?

We recently took on a 7 bedroom HMO in a student area, but the landlord didn’t want students. Needless to say the property remained on the market for a while as, due to its location, the demand for professional tenants was low and the property just wasn’t filling until the landlord agreed to open up the net and allow students… the property was quickly fully let thereafter.

Size of Property

The size of the property is another consideration and also any additional extras, such as a garden/driveway/en-suite/additional WC/garage. Again, looking at properties of a similar size will help give you a better idea of the best rates to charge.

Amenities / Transport Links

You should also consider the local amenities. If you are situated near shops, surgeries and town centre you can definitely charge more for rent. The opposite is also true…some people like to be away from the ‘hustle and bustle’ of people and cars and therefore, the outer semi-rural areas would be more appealing to them. Proximity to train stations and bus routes play a vital role in pricing up your property. In Warrington we are fortunate to have the added bonus of being in the middle of the motorway network.

Furnished / Unfurnished

Furnished properties are generally more expensive than unfurnished, although not in all cases. You may want to think about furnishing the property (although the cost of maintaining the furnishings may be prohibitive and in the end counter-productive against your net annual yields).

So Neil, these are the things I take into consideration when doing an appraisal. Although I cannot give you an honest figure, I can tell you that your current rent is much lower than the average. Providing your property is in a good condition, I see no problem as to why you cannot advertise your rental property once it’s empty for £700+ per calendar month.


If you are looking for an agent with experience that can help you price your property and find the best tenants for it, then contact us to find out how we can get the best out of your investment property.

Email me on andy@hamletwarrington.co.uk or give me a call on 01925 235 338. Pop in for a chat – we are based on 6 Bankside, Crosfield St, WA1 1UP. There is plenty of free parking and the kettle is always on.



-Andy



Don't forget to visit the links below to view back dated deals and Warrington Property News.

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Website, http://www.hamlethomeswarrington.co.uk

Thursday, 12 January 2017

What type of Warrington property will sell best in 2017?


Welcome back to the first Warrington Property Blog article of the New Year! I hope you all had a lovely festive break with your friends and family.

I thought this would be the ideal time to talk about the weather… (I’m joking!)

So what type of property will sell best in Warrington? 

Knowing how saleable a property is, is half the battle when deciding what (or what not) to buy for your next property investment. Why? Well because, one day, you may need to sell that property. If you go into the purchase with open eyes, you know most of the risks – and can barter the price accordingly if you have to.

Bearing this in mind, last week, a newbie landlord from Runcorn popped into our offices to ask about investing in property. His concern was if we have another property slump (and we will because that is what has happened to the British property market ever since the 1950’s), if he did need to sell, what type of property would be easiest to sell. Now, everything sells, even during a slump, but I did some research and followed up his query – I was actually quite surprised with the results.

A good guide to judge the ability of a property to sell is the number of properties for sale, compared to the numbers that are sold, subject to contract.

I carried out this comparison last week, so the numbers will be marginally different today, but of the 283,656 households in Warrington there are 2,041 properties on the market for sale. Of those 2,529 properties, 1,206 properties are fully available on the open market waiting for a buyer and 1323 have buyers and are sold subject to contract. That means 52.3% of property on the market has a buyer in Warrington.

However, if we delve deeper: in Warrington today, a reasonable 29.8% (162 of 543 houses have buyers) of detached houses on the market have a buyer. It’s great news for semi detached property owners, as 49.4% of them have buyers (almost 50%, which is great market activity as 264 of the 534 have buyers). Terraced houses fair slightly better than detached houses, with 232 of the 511 on the market now having buyers (making 54.6%). The properties that appear to be sticking are apartments, which are comparatively lower than a semi detached house, coming in at 34% (81 buyers out of 238).


You must have a plan when investing in property – are you doing it for the yield or are you looking at it as a long term investment?

Looking at the research above its clear to see that if you are looking to invest in a property that will be easy to sell down the line, then it’s between the semi detached and terraced houses in Warrington. However, each of these have to be approached with different strategies.

If you are a reader of my blog you will know I am fond of my two up two down terraced houses in Warrington, as they can be picked up for around £70 – £80k in most cases. They can be ready to let for around £495pcm, roughly giving you yields of around 8%.

However, the average price of a three bed semi detached in Warrington is around £150k - £155k with rents on average at £750pcm, which gives you a yield of around 6%. These three bedroom semis tend to be in high demand and have very few voids. Although the upfront cost is larger and the yields are not as great, you can expect some good capital growth in the near future.


If you are looking for an agent that is well establishedprofessional and communicative, then contact us to find out how we can get the best out of your investment property.

Email me on manoj@hamletwarrington.co.uk or call on 01925 235338. If you are in the area, feel free to pop into the office – we are based on 6 Bankside, Crosfield St, WA1 1UP. There is plenty of free parking and the kettle is always on.

Don't forget to visit the links below to view back dated deals and Warrington Property News.

Thursday, 15 December 2016

Ask Andy – ‘’I have had a run of bad tenants – How do I find the right tenant for my property?’’

Landlord’s Question:

''Dear Andy,

Over the last two years I have had three different tenants in my rental property in Warrington.  At first each of them came across like ideal tenants. However, not long into each of their tenancies, problems started to arise.  To cut a long story short, between the three tenancies there have been months of non-payment, plenty of damage to the property and harassment (in the sense that I was called over  40 times in the space of 4 weeks  with requests to change light bulbs, locking themselves out of the property etc).

Why am I attracting these tenants? Is this a common thing with being a landlord?’’

Andy’s Answer

Well, it looks like you have had your fair share of bad luck with tenants. You are not alone – we have all been there, so don’t let this put you off. I’m going to share some steps to take to help you when looking for the right tenant for you and for your property.

In Warrington, we have huge demand for rental property – and unfortunately the supply isn’t as strong as we would like. So looking at that alone, you can afford to be fussy with the type of tenant you would like in your property.

Step One: Viewings

The first thing I would do is arrange a viewing. DO NOT let the property to anyone without them physically seeing it and meeting you at the property. (That doesn’t mean that the potential tenant sends someone to view on their behalf, whoever is going to be signing the tenancy documents needs to see the property.)

Viewings are key for me. I have over 10 years experience in meeting new tenants, so this is my chance to get a gut feeling about the tenant. I can ask them a series of questions that sounds like normal chit chat, however the answer I hear will determine whether this is the right tenant for this property

Step Two: References

I usually make them aware at the viewing that I will need to conduct a credit check, income and previous landlord references. These are necessary to paint an even clearer picture about the kind of tenant who may be moving into your property.

The reason why I tell them this at the point of viewing is to see how they react. If they say they have no CCJs and their credit is fine and they do not pass, then I would not go ahead with that tenancy.  If they tell you that they don’t think their credit is good and they have set up steps to make it better, and then they fail, then it’s down to your gut. If they are being honest about knowing they have poor credit, then they have no intention to deceive.

Step Three: Some Creative Detective Work

You might also want to visit them at the property they are currently renting to see how well they look after it.

You could also type their email address or mobile number into the search bar in Facebook as it may pull up their profile. You can then browse their profiles to build a better idea of the type of tenant you might be moving in to your property.

Step Four: Maintaining your Tenant Landlord Relationship

Once you have the right tenant for your property and they move in, schedule an inspection for 3-4 months into the tenancy and then at least annually thereafter.  If any issues arise during the inspection, you can address them there and then.

As for the needy tenant who wants their light bulbs changing etc: I am presuming at first you felt obliged to help, as this is very common from a lot of private landlords I speak to. One landlord I spoke to was receiving texts late at night and when he wouldn’t reply the tenant threatened to go to the Citizens’ Advice Bureau.

The first thing to do is review your tenancy agreement and make a list of the type of work you are responsible for and the type of work the tenant is responsible for. Put a letter together with this information and state a reasonable time frame to respond to maintenance issues – and make sure you mention that if you are called to minor jobs that they are responsible for, your call out rate is £45 – including locking themselves out.

Send this letter via recorded delivery, or for peace of mind post it through the door and have a neighbour or friend come with you to take a picture. 

Don’t get me wrong, we don’t want tenants to NOT report issues with the property but, at the end of the day, you are running a business. Keeping on top of repairs as and when they are reported is better for you as you can keep the property up to date, rather than having a massive payout after a long let. I do always urge tenants to report any maintenance issues directly to us as soon as they arise.

I hope this helps you in choosing your next tenants and your luck takes a turn for the better.

If you are looking for an agent with experience that can help you find the right tenant for your property, then contact us to find out how we can get the best out of your investment property.
Email me on andy@hamletwarrington.co.uk or give me a call on 01925 235 338. Pop in for a chat – we are based on 6 Bankside, Crosfield St, WA1 1UP. There is plenty of free parking and the kettle is always on.


-Andy

Don't forget to visit the links below to view back dated deals and Warrington Property News.

Wednesday, 7 December 2016

“Already Tenanted” 3 Bed House, Lostock Avenue, Warrington, With Yields Of 7%+.


Good Afternoon readers. Just like most of you, I can not believe how quick this year has gone. I think I am almost prepared for Christmas (Amazon Prime is a saviour). Now it just time to do that dreaded wrapping.

Anyway the reason why I am writing is to share this absolutely superb investment deal in Warrington. This 3 bedroom property is up for £69,000 which is a steal and makes me think that their is a lot of work that may need doing to it. However from the advert we can only see an external shot. On the up side this property if already tenanted and then current tenant is paying £425 PCM. Now for a 3 bedroom in that area rents are usually 495 PCM so i think its safe to say the current tenant may be paying a lesser rent to cope with works that might need to be done to the property.

Current Yield - 7.3%

The best thing to do is give Fast Move Properties a call and arrange a viewing. 


The house is located off a very popular rental street (Longshaw St), Lostock Avenue is no different. The majority of properties on this road are rented. With 42 rented from the Council, 21 via other social associations and 24 from Private Landlords its safe to say its a popular rental area. It's close to schools and only a 15 minute walk to the town centre. 

Employment History on the street:





















So looking at the above chart the majority of the residents living on the street are either in Full Time or Part Time work. This is the kind of tenant you can expect to let the property out to. 



If you view the property and notice works needs to be done and the current tenant will not agree with a possible rent increase. Then do not worry about putting a new tenant in. Its about supply and demand and boy is there a huge demand for 3 bedroom houses to let in Warrington unfortunately the supply just isn't there. Usually when a 3 bedroom property in Warrington comes onto the rental market, its snapped up in a hand full of days usually by a family and they tend to be in their for life. So void periods are very low.

If you are looking for an agent that is well established, professional and communicative, then contact us to find out how we can get the best out of your investment property.

Email me on manoj@hamletwarrington.co.uk or call on 01925 235338. If you are in the area, feel free to pop into the office – we are based on 
6 Bankside, Crosfield St, WA1 1UP. There is plenty of free parking and the kettle is always on.

Don't forget to visit the links below to view back dated deals and Warrington Property News.