1. Research the market in your area
If you are just getting into buy-to-let, you must ask yourself a few questions. what do you know about the market? Do you know the risks, as well as the benefits. you should follow the local news and really get an understand of the community you are about to invest in.
Make sure a buy-to-let is an investment you are sure you want. Your funds could perform better elsewhere. In 2007 a high-rate savings account would beat most investments. Now that rates are lower, investing in buy-to-let means tying up capital in a house that may drop in value. Compare this to the possibility of a annual return on a fixed rate savings fund.
You could also get a similar return from an investment in funds, shares or an investment trust - paying just 10 per cent tax on income and getting tax-free capital growth through an Isa - with the ability to sell up quickly if you want.
If you know someone who has entered the buy-to-let market, ask them about their experiences.
Message boards: Talk to other buy-to-let investors
2. Choose a promising areas or streets in Aldershot for buy to let
Promising does not mean most just the cost. Promising means a place in aldershot where people would enjoy living and this can be for a variety of reasons.
Where in your aldershot has a additional value ? If you are in a commuter belt, where has good transport links? Where are the good schools in aldershot for young families? Where do the students in aldershot want to live? Asking yourself these questions might sound over simplistic, but they are probably the most important aspect of a successful buy-to-let investment
Zoopla: Check the rental market and homes to buy
3. Do the sums
Before you think about looking around houses or flats sit down with a pen and paper and write down the cost of houses you are looking at and the return you are likely to make.
Traditionally buy-to-let lenders wanted rent to cover 125% of the mortgage payments, although many had relaxed this in the boom years. Most also wanted a 15% deposit, which protects against falling prices.
After the financial crisis, many are now demanding upto 25% deposits, or even larger, for rates considerably above residential mortgage deals. The best buy-to-let mortgages also come with additional arrangement fees.
Once you have the mortgage rate sorted - and remember to allow yourself a margin for rate rises in years to come, be careful in deciding will your investment work out?
What will happen if the house or flat sits empty for a month, two months or even three? These are all things that must be consider. Make sure you know how much the mortgage will be and if it could rise or fall.
