Stockport Express

Tips for investing in a buy-to-let property

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NOW that retirees can access their pension funds as cash, many are looking at buy-to-let as a way to get the most from their savings.

Good returns, a long history of strong performanc­e and tangibilit­y make property an attractive investment, particular­ly compared with the volatility of the stock market and low interest rates on savings.

Allison Thompson, lettings director at UK property specialist Leaders, said: “Demand for rented accommodat­ion has been strong for many years, and is still increasing, with more people renting than ever before. In many areas there is not enough rental property to satisfy demand, rents are rising, tenancies are getting longer and good quality properties do not stay empty for long.

“All this paints a very stable picture for landlords and is appealing to older investors who can now use their pension savings to become ‘grandlords’. Like any investment, buy-to-let comes with no guarantees, but, done with proper care and planning, the benefits are compelling.”

Here, Allison highlights the top five benefits of investing a pension in property:

Good returns in income and growth

Buy-to-let can deliver great returns over the medium to long-term, giving investors the opportunit­y to earn a regular monthly income while also achieving capital growth. Longerterm house price growth is around six per cent per year, according to most reliable measures, and in most good buy-to-let areas, rental yields of five per cent or more are achievable.

Benefits not offered by annuities

Annuity rates are at historic lows – around four per cent – making this traditiona­l option for retirees increasing­ly unattracti­ve. If you buy an annuity you give up any further growth from your pension whereas investing in property gives you a rental income and the opportunit­y to grow your capital.

Save on fees to maximise pension pot

Many pension funds charge significan­t fees for managing your investment­s, even when they perform badly, which further reduces the value of your pension pot. If you used an independen­t financial adviser to set up your pension you may also have to pay commission to them on an ongoing basis. Investing your pension in property gives you control of it, enabling you to potentiall­y make more of your pension pot and at the same time avoid those eroding pension management fees.

Borrow to boost your investment potential

Investing in property means you could take out a mortgage, to be paid off by your rental income, while you enjoy the potential capital growth. Most buy-to-let mortgages are done on an intereston­ly basis, so the amount borrowed will not be paid off over time. This is tax efficient, as you can offset mortgage interest payments against your income tax bill. If you secure the right buy-to-let property and mortgage deal, your rental return could still be substantia­lly higher than your mortgage payments, giving you the option to save the extra cash to supplement your life, invest in another buy-tolet or use it to pay off the mortgage at the end of its term.

Take control over your investment and limit the risks

No investment is risk-free, but with buy-to-let there are a number of practical steps you can take to limit the risks.

Consulting a letting expert to guide you on where and what to buy for maximum return is the best first step for a solid investment. A good letting agent will also find you a reliable tenant, ensure you stay on the right side of the law, take care of your property and protect your interests at all times.

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Calculatin­g the budget

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