A ‘general’ category where many fundamental principles of property investment success are highlighted. We are always open to ideas with regards to topics that you would like to read about – please feel free to contact us at info@propertysolvers.co.uk.
Please see an interview with Gary Murphy of Allsop – one of the leading auction houses in the country – where we discuss recent sales patterns; the popularity of auction buying; impending base rate rises; auction stock level predictions; getting the best deal possible in the current market; dealing with negative equity; placing the right guide price when selling; conditions of sale and recent emerging issues that investors should be aware of. [Read More]
Needing very little introduction, Sarah Beeney’s reputation as a genuine expert in all aspects of property ownership is unquestionable. With a number of varied business interests – including a TV series, an award winning property portal and a popular dating website – her dedicated and strong work ethic has made her a household name and a positive figure representing the property industry as a whole. Please see an interview below where we talked about what Sarah has been up to; the future effects of base rate rises on the property market; protection against negative equity; acquisition strategies; buying at the right price in the current climate; buying to sell; lease options; the growth of the Tepilo brand and the online vs. offline estate agency debate... [Read More]
With a UK property market considered to be at one of its relative lowest points for decades, the hunger for investors to build their portfolios is ever-apparent. One potential acquisition strategy – that is often overlooked due to perceived misconceptions – is to look into properties that have been left empty by previous owners. Please see an interview below with David Ireland of the Empty Homes Agency with whom we discussed current levels of empty properties in the UK; the effects of the recession on the situation; the housing deficit; the government’s response; what steps can be taken to investigate an empty home; seeking legal advice; available grants for renovating empty properties; getting advice from local authorities; the organisations’ campaign for council tax relief as well as a very worthwhile conference worth attending on May 23rd. [Read More]
Now a household name, the Rightmove property portal has now become the first point of call for the large majority of the nation’s house buyers and sellers. Launched in 2000, the company is now listed on the London Stock Exchange and recently attracted attention as being one of the only sites on the planet that Google were afraid to compete with due to its well established presence. We were therefore very grateful to be able to ask some questions to Miles Shipside – the company’s commercial director – who has had an integral role in bringing the company to where it is today. We focus on how the company has grown over the last 10 years; maintaining its strong position; 2011 plans; searching for investment property; quality control; what makes a successful property advertisement; the overseas property market; the Rightmove property index; the role of the web in the future of buying / selling property and estate agency fees. [Read More]
An interview with full time property investor and owner of 'Keys Mortgages' Lisa Orme discussing her history as a professional property investor; the risks of a bottoming market; whether property today is only for the cash rich; newbie investing / entering the market with low cash reserves; no money down in 2011; tips obtaining mortgage finance in a challenging market; improving your credit rating for the buy to let lenders; the FSA’s ‘Mortgage Market Review’; property options / impending regulation; the base rate rise and some advice for highly geared landlords. [Read More]
An interview with Paul Shamplina from Landlord Action focused on the recent changes in the landscape of social housing including preconceptions of the Local Housing Allowance (LHA); new ‘austere’ measures being introduced by the new coalition government; the implications of the Comprehensive Spending Review; research and the role of the Valuation Office Agency (VOA); the role of the 'floating tenancy support service'; recent comments by the Department of Work and Pensions on LHA landlords; Paul’s thoughts on the future of the property market amongst other topics. [Read More]
An interview with Patrick Clift of the British Property Federation (BPF) discussing the importance of landlords post-credit crunch; the need of professional standards in the industry; what the BPF are doing to encourage the sector; tax incentives; reforms to the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) system / social housing policy; UK infrastructual improvements and the future role of the organisation. [Read More]
A video interview with well known property expert Kevin Green (C4's Secret Millionaire) discussing the importance of public promotion as a property investor; the current property market; his thoughts on the future; consumer affordability levels; his advice for newbies / the risk averse; his own investment strategies; lease options and the recent controversy surrounding them; buying repossessed property (creating a win-win house sale) as well as his wealth training programme. [Read More]
An interview with David Kuo from the 'Motley Fool' online magazine discussing the concept of a value based investment strategy for property investors. [Read More]
An interview with Paul Howard - Head of Intermediary Sales - at The Mortgage Works (TMW), one of the UK's leading buy to let lenders. We ask what was their reasoning on being one of the first lenders to reintroduce higher LTV ratios in the market in recent times, as well as looking into their thoughts on the short, medium and long-term; how lender behaviour has / is changing; the new Financial Policy Committee (FPC); their new build criteria; Local Housing Allowance lending and more: [Read More]
