Property investment can prove to be a good opportunity for people looking for a way to invest their money in a valuable, physical asset. It is an option favoured by many and can potentially offer fantastic rewards, especially if you find the right property in the correct area.

Deciding on what kind of property to buy, what area to invest in, and the type of tenant you want to appeal to are the three most important decisions you need to make when it comes to investment properties. Get all three right and you could enjoy a return greater than you could with any other method of investing. You need to be careful though and make sure you have a suitable plan in place. It is also a very good idea to have the right support in place.

At Finefair we have a huge amount of experience when it comes to property investment and understand what it takes to be successful. We can offer people all kinds of tips and advice to help them with planning, buying a property, protecting their interests, finding tenants and managing the property going forward.

The top ten things you need to look at when it comes to choosing an area to buy a property in are;

1) The attitude towards the neighbourhood – all areas have a reputation and it is important to consider this when you buy a property. It will have an impact on the type of tenants you can expect amongst other things

2) Council tax band – this is very important because it will be an ongoing fee you or your tenants will need to pay.

3) Schools – close proximity to good schools can add a lot of value to a property and shape your choice of tenants.

4) Crime – this is an important factor because tenants will be thinking about how safe the area is. You should be doing the same before you make your purchase.

5) The job market – properties in areas with good employment opportunities nearby tend to command more value.

6) Amenities – parks, shops, gyms and other leisure attractions can all add value to a property and attract tenants.

7) Possibility of future development – regeneration projects and improvements in an area can add a lot to property prices.

8) The number of properties available and demand – it is better to choose an area where demand is high and supply is low.

9) Rental income – you need to check how much properties in a specific area can make in rental income before deciding to buy. This will ensure the purchase is viable and will provide a return rather than a loss.

10) The risk of exposure to natural disasters – if an area has a higher potential of issues such as flooding you need to take care when purchasing properties. The increased risk could impact your insurance coverage and expenses a great deal.

If you are exploring property investment in Hillingdon or any other London Borough you can call on us for help and advice. We are supportive and strive to help each client create the right plan and find suitable properties.

We know that there’s nothing new in the way we start off this article, but it is worth stating again – at present the demand for residential property in London is far higher than the apparent supply. It’s with good reason that we refer to the present supply as “apparent”, as there are a number of empty properties which are not being used. Although we always hold absolute respect for the wishes of property owners, in the eyes of a growing number of people there’s a compelling case to start the legal process of forcing properties to be made available for rent. Our services are designed to provide a mutually beneficial solution which avoids that scenario. Continue reading →

The Old Oak and Park Royal Opportunity Area Planning Framework were released as a supplementary guide to the London Plan (2015) released by the Mayor’s office. The aim of the framework is to allow regeneration to occur in the areas, putting a proactive strategy in place. This was done after the area was earmarked as one of the most vital for the creation of new homes and jobs in the capital over the next two to three decades. Continue reading →

Investors interested in the property market regularly look for features that can add a premium to values. There are several things that can do just that including close proximity to transport links, nearby attractions, and the character and appeal of the building itself. It is wise to know what sort of things to look for and determine the impact they can have on prices. Continue reading →

Waltham Forest is enjoying some of the highest demand for properties in London thanks to its reputation for offering value for money. The average price for a home in the area is lower than that for the capital as a whole. This means that buyers can see their funds go further in the area, resulting in more space. The high demand is also causing prices to rise so properties are an attractive investment. Continue reading →

Apartment living has become a firm favourite in London. Living in a block of apartments can offer a wide array of benefits including giving people impressive views across the city. On top of this the properties can provide all kinds of attractive facilities and services for residents to enjoy. These could include a gym, concierge service, and even a chauffeur service. Continue reading →

When the subject of conversation turns to the large demand for residential property in London thoughts are normally drawn to those who work in the city and are looking for living space. Whilst this particular group are undeniably one of the major contributing forces to the growing demand for housing, it should not be assumed that they are alone in this regard. In many cases one of the factors pushing up the level is people looking for the most ideal place to live with and bring up their families. Islington is one area where this is the case. Continue reading →

For all the changes that affect London, whether past or present, one thing has and shall forever ring true – people want to live and work in the city. This has perhaps never been clearer than here in 2016, as we’ve all seen a time of great change that has done next to nothing to dent the love of the capital and the demand for living space. The current situation in Hackney is the perfect example of this – and displays how we can ensure property owners in the area gain exceptional returns from the situation. Continue reading →

Usually it would be the case that we’d all have a joint groan and a laugh at the fact about how we must be in summer if we’re getting rain in June. Normally this would be a lighthearted look at how it is part of life in London, but sadly the situation this year has been far more serious. The last full week of June 2016 saw the capital get hit with some terrible torrential rainstorms. This has seen many properties in the city be subject to damage from flooding and lightning strikes.

London will, as ever, recover from this damage. Whether the harm inflicted on the city is manmade or from natural causes we always bounce back, better and stronger than we were before and because of what we’ve been through. The property and block management services we comprehensively deliver across all of the London Boroughs plays a big part in making sure this happens.

Whilst pretty much all of London was affected by the storms of June, the Borough of Ealing was hit fairly hard. Commercial and residential properties experienced flooding, the A40 in Perivale had to be closed for safety and, as mentioned earlier, there were a number of incidents of lightning strikes affecting homes. The one positive aspect that we, and we trust everyone else, can take from this is that there were no reported fatalities and very few injuries suffered.

We wish we could say that either our services or one we know of could somehow stop damage being caused in this way. The truth, sadly, is that there’s no way of preventing nature taking its course. What we can do is assure you that our management services work to maintain and repair your building quickly and correctly in the event of damage.

Our professional teams have spent over a decade building up a reputation of being the best. We know that the perfect way to maintain the value of your property investment, whether in Ealing or any of the other London Boroughs, is to make sure the premises are looked after correctly. That’s exactly what we make sure you have in place. Our block management services can even save you money in the process.

In order to ensure you get the best returns on your investment you need to choose the right property in an appropriate area. It can take a lot of work but good planning and care will reward you in the long term.

Before you purchase investment properties it is important to have an idea in mind of what you plan in the long term. If you are considering letting the property your big obstacle is ensuring you have tenants for the duration. When the properties stand empty they are not generating an income so you are losing out.

With tenants in mind you should look at areas where demand is high and properties don’t spend long times uninhabited. These are the locations you want to target for your investments because they offer the highest potential for strong, sustained returns.

Another thing to look at before you make a purchase is the rental fees that properties can command. You can get an idea of this by looking at the market conditions and other similar buildings in the same area. It is wise to have a professional conduct a valuation for you so you can determine what kind of returns you can expect and ensure your investment will pay off.

It is always better to invest in types of property that are in the highest demand. Owning a family home in an area that is predominantly apartments may be a bad strategy because the amount of interest it will receive will be lower. This means there is a smaller audience and raises the potential that you may struggle to find tenants.

At Finefair we are committed to offering comprehensive support to clients looking at purchasing investment properties. We work all across Croydon and the Greater London area, delivering personal services to suit the needs of each client. We can help you to decide what kind of property to choose, what areas to target, and the type of income you can expect from it. We also offer lettings services so you can rely on us for the long term.