Simon Banks

Alongside Bristol, Manchester is the UK’s highest growing city for real estate. Not only that, but a growing population of young professionals, three esteemed universities and significant regeneration have put Manchester firmly on the map of investors. Indeed, it’s often regarded as one of the best places for buy-to-let in the UK. These factors combined …

Is Manchester still a good city for a buy-to-let investment? Read More »

The likes of Airbnb have led to an increase in holiday lets. Data from the HMRC shows that the average income declared on a holiday let exceeded that of a long-term let during the previous 2020/21 tax year for the first time ever since records began in 2011. So are holiday-lets a good idea for …

Pros and cons of renting out a holiday-let property Read More »

So you’ve begun your mortgage application and provided all the necessary information. What comes next? That would be the underwriting process, which for all intents and purposes is one of the final stages of the process before your mortgage offer is issued. Here, we bring you everything you need to know about mortgage underwriting, including …

How does mortgage underwriting work? Read More »

As we step into 2024, buy-to-let is firmly under the spotlight. With rising interest rates and uncertainty over new legislation, you might be thinking the current climate isn’t ideal for investing. And while only you and only you can make the decision as to whether 2024 is a good time to invest, we’re focusing on …

5 reasons to invest in a buy to let in 2024 Read More »

Whether you’re retired, no longer working or are over 66 (official UK retirement age), you may be thinking about purchasing a buy-to-let property with a mortgage. But questions  often arise over if it’s possible to get a mortgage during the later years of life or during early retirement. With that in mind, we’re looking at …

Can I get a buy-to-let mortgage in retirement? Read More »

Pro: regular rental income (that seems to be rising) Letting a property offers a steady income stream and can enhance your savings or even serve as a retirement strategy. In 2022, Zoopla reported a “chronic imbalance” between rental supply and demand, leading to significant rent increases, especially in London, Manchester, and Glasgow, with rises of …

The Pros and Cons of Buy-to-Let Investments: Is It Right for You? Read More »

Mortgage protection insurance What is it? Mortgage protection insurance is a policy designed to cover your mortgage payments in case you’re unable to do so due to circumstances like unemployment, illness or accidents and if the property is vacant without any tenants. The insurance typically pays out a set amount for a specified period, allowing …

Do You Need Insurance When Getting a Buy-to-Let Mortgage? Read More »

Location is everything if you’re considering investing in a holiday let property. Fortunately, the United Kingdom offers plenty of options, from rugged coastlines to rolling countryside. In fact, you’re spoilt for choice. And for that reason, we’ve put this guide together, exploring some of the best locations for holiday lets in the UK. What makes …

Best holiday let locations in the UK Read More »

One property, two properties, three properties or four? Building a buy-to-let property portfolio is no easy feat, but for some investors, it’s the primary goal when they start their buy-to-let journey. Now, there’s no one guaranteed way to become a portfolio landlord, but there are some tried and tested approaches. With that in mind, this …

Building a property portfolio Read More »

Determining your rental yield is helpful for assessing the viability of a buy-to-let property as an investment. It’s also essential if you’re contemplating a buy-to-let mortgage, as lenders look at the rental income to mortgage ratio as part of their decision-making process. Here, we’ve put together a detailed guide on how to calculate rental yield …

How to calculate rental yield Read More »