Tag: Broadfield-Crawley

31st May 2016

3 Bedroom House, Foxglove Walk, Broadfield, Crawley

A lot of comment in the property press recently has concerned investors looking towards areas such as Manchester to purchase much higher yielding properties and off-set some of the effect of the recent tax hikes.

Somewhat closer to home, however, there are also relatively high yielding properties available in Crawley. One such property is a 3 bed terraced house in Foxglove Walk, Broadfield, Crawley that has recently been advertised by Estate Agents Zoom995. The property, which is on the market for offers in the region of £230000, is offered with no onward chain. Although Broadfield may not be regarded by some as one of the better parts of town, nonetheless rental yields can be relatively high here. To take a closer look at the property here’s the Rightmove link. http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-42153333.html

31-5-16 Foxglove Walk

Please do bear in mind that properties like the one considered here are principally family homes. As such, a large proportion of prospective tenants will consist of couples with children & possibly even pets. If pets & children are not your thing then our advice would be to steer well clear ! With regard to pets, however, you can always ask for a higher deposit and specify that any damage is repaired/replaced on an new for old basis.

So what about the rental yield ?

Properties like this one in Broadfield, Crawley rent for between £1100 to £1250pcm. Obviously time of year and internal/external condition will be major factors in determining just how much rent can be achieved. However, based on an asking price of £230000 and the rents quoted above, gross rental yields will range from around 5.7% to 6.5%. These yields are pretty good and some of highest we’ve seen in Crawley. Don’t forget that you will also have to pay an extra 3% stamp duty surcharge if you already own a property. However, with average rental yields in the UK at around 5%, this property in Broadfield could offer an investor an above average return.

Whether you’re a seasoned property investor or considering the buy-to-let market for the first time, why not give us a call to discuss the opportunities that Crawley  & surrounding towns have to offer. Our advice is free and what’s more…….we don’t bite ! Alternatively, you can always drop us an e-mail to crawley@northwooduk.com.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only and not of Northwood. If you are considering investing in property, please make sure that you seek appropriate professional advice.

 

 

 

 

29th January 2016

2 Bedroom Flat, Broadfield, Crawley

Here’s a 2 bedroom flat that has just come on to the market with Inspire Estate Agents at £185000. Although Broadfield may not be the most popular location in Crawley, remember that property correctly priced will always sell or rent. This flat also comes with the added bonus of a garage – definitely a selling point. Here’s the Rightmove link for further details http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-57580043.html

Hayling Ct 29-1-16

The location of this flat in Broadfield is very convenient for the Fastway bus service with access to Crawley Town Centre & Gatwick airport. So for airport or town centre workers it’s ideal. We’ve had a similar property on our books for a number of years now and have not had any issues letting it out.

Bearing in mind that there are two double bedrooms and a garage, rents for these types of flats are between £875pcm and £925pcm – depending on condition and when the property is marketed. These rents compare favourably with those for more modern flats close to Three Bridges station, which now let for up to £1100 pcm !

So, if you considered purchasing this flat, based on the asking price and anticipated rent, you would expect to see a gross rental yield of between 5.7% & 6%. These are fairly high yields for the Crawley market. Do remember, however, that high yields are often accompanied by lower capital growth. Still worth a look though, depending on your investment strategy.

If you’re looking to invest in the Crawley property market we’d love to from hear, even if your plans are only tentative at the moment. Just give us call on 01293 515588. What’s more any advice we give is free ! Alternatively, you can drop us an e-mail to crawley@northwooduk.com. Look forward to hearing from you.

 

 

 

18th January 2016

Studio Apartment, Broadfield, Crawley

Here’s a studio apartment that has just come on to the market with Astons estate agents priced at £119950. Considering it’s January, the picture is not exactly seasonal and there are no internal photos. However, here’s the Rightmove link in case you want to take a further look. http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-52649125.html

17-1-16 Broadfield Barton Studio

Depending on internal condition, properties like this studio can achieve rents of between £625pcm & £675pcm. The location is very good for Broadfield as it is close to the local shops, healthcare centre and the Fastway bus service – with excellent access to Crawley town centre, Manor Royal and Gatwick Airport.

Based on the advertised purchase price of £119950 and an average rent of £650pcm, the gross yield comes out at a very respectable 6.5%.

Do remember, however, that properties with higher rental yields tend to “suffer” from lower long term capital growth. Having said that, the Zoopla price paid information (http://www.zoopla.co.uk/house-prices/west-sussex/crawley/broadfield-barton/?search_source=top_nav) indicates that this property sold for £23250 way back in March 1995. If the property sells at its asking price some 21 years later, it would have increased in value by just over 415% ! Still, 21 years is a long time to wait !

If you’re looking to make an investment in rental property in Crawley or surrounding towns, why not give us a call on 01293 515588. Our advice is free and we’ll be able to give you an unbiased opinion of the pros & cons of the property market in the area. Alternatively, you can e-mail us at crawley@northwooduk.com.

 

18th December 2015

1 bedroom flat, Copeland House, Rathlin Road, Broadfield, Crawley

Here’s a charming looking 1 bedroom flat in Copeland House, Broadfield, Crawley that has just come on to the market. It’s on with estate agents Zoom995 at £169995.

The warm sunshine in the picture, however, gives the game away a bit. A little further digging indicates that the property actually first came on to the market back in September …. which indicates the vendor hasn’t been able to sell at this price ! Well, not to worry, we’ll store that piece of information away and use it later  …. here’s the Rightmove link for further details http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-36615825.html

Rathlin Rd 17-12-15

You’ll see from the internal photos that the property appears to be presented in very good condition, which is all to the good.

1 bed flats in Copeland House are renting for between £750pcm and £800pcm. In fact there’s one available now for £875pcm …… which may be just a little too high. It’s still on the market To Let and has been since the end of November. Only time will tell if they achieve this price.

If we look at the rental yield for this flat based on the rents that have been achieved i.e. £750pcm & £8000pcm, we get a range from 5.3% to 5.6%. So, not too bad at all.

Of course, using our “inside” knowledge regarding the actual marketing date of the property, you should have a better than evens chance of negotiating the price down a bit. As we always say, if you don’t ask, you don’t get !

If you’re looking for investment properties in and around the Crawley area, why not give us a call on 01293 515588. We’re more than happy to give you advice & will even view properties on your behalf before you buy. Please note, we don’t charge for this service either ! That way you get an independent, unbiased opinion of a property’s investment potential. Always remember that the selling agent in any property deal acts for the vendor, not the purchaser ! Alternatively, you can e-mail us at crawley@northwooduk.com.

 

 

9th November 2015

4 bedroom house, Broadfield, Crawley

We don’t normally consider 4 bedroom properties as ideal for investment purposes. However, here’s an exception in Broadfield, Crawley. Marketed by agents Homes Partnership for £229950, they also quote a potential rent of £1200pcm, which we think is pretty close to the mark. Based on this rent, the gross rental yield would be an impressive 6.3%.

Readers of our blog will know that this potential yield is at the high-end of what we tend to find in Crawley. If you would like to have a look at some further details of the property, here’s the Rightmove link  http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-55273673.html

Broadfield 9-11-15jpgPlease remember that properties with higher rental yields tend to have lower long-term capital growth. The reverse is also true. So when thinking about property investment you need to consider whether rental income or capital growth are more important for you. Once you have the answer to this question, you’ll then start to have more of an idea about what type of property investment would suit you best.

If you would like to discuss the property investment options that Crawley and surrounding towns have to offer, please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01293 515588. Alternatively, drop us an e-mail to crawley@northwooduk.com.

23rd October 2015

1 bed flat in Broadfield, Crawley

For those investors interested in high rental yields, this 1 bedroom flat in Broadfield, Crawley has just come on to the market with agents Taylor Robinson, priced at £139950. Here’s the Rightmove link if you’re interested in taking a look http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-51455587.html. From the pictures, the flat looks to be in good order.

Broadfield Pl 23-10-15With regards to letting, we would expect a flat like this to achieve a rent of between £725pcm & £775pcm. Based on a purchase price of £139950, this would give a gross yield of between 6.2% to 6.6%. Followers of our blog will note that this is probably the highest potential gross yield we have reported to date. Do remember the “Golden Rule” of property investment, however, that when the rental yield is high, capital growth tends to be lower.

If you’re considering investing in a buy-to-let property in Crawley or surrounding towns, why not give us a call. We’re more than happy to have a chat with you about our favourite subject ! Alternatively, drop us an e-mail to crawley@northwooduk.com.

30th September 2015

2 bedroom flat in Broadfield, Crawley

Here’s an interesting flat that has just come on to the market, at least that’s what I thought when I checked for new properties listed on Rightmove. Apparently, however, it was first listed on 7th August, but I can’t find whether the asking price has changed or not. Well, not to worry too much. The property, in Broadfield, Crawley, is on for £179950 with King & Chasemore – here’s the Rightmove link if you want to look at further details – http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-53926175.html.

Hayling Court

One reason for my interest is that a property like this, although not in the most fashionable part of town, can let for around £875pcm. Based on this rent and an asking price of £179950, you would get a maximum gross annual yield of around 5.8%.

However, just before you get your cheque book out and sign on the dotted line, have a closer look at the area. In July of this year a similar property completed for £166000 i.e. £14k less than is being asked here. In addition, there are two other similar properties currently on the market for £170000. Although there are no internal photos to compare condition, a purchase price of £170000 with a rent of £875 pcm would give a max. gross yield just shy of 6.2% ! Even better !

If you’re looking to increase your lettings portfolio or are new to “Buy-to-Let”, don’t hesitate to give us a call for a chat about property investments in Crawley & surrounding areas. Our advice is free and we might be able to provide you with some insight that you hadn’t considered ! You can also e-mail us on crawley@northwooduk.com.

28th September 2015

Broadfield Outperforms Pound Hill !

One of our landlords popped into the office last week looking at another Buy-to-Let property deal. He was interested in a 3 bedroom house he had seen advertised in Broadfield with another agent. His other investment properties are in Pound Hill and he wanted our opinion as to the pros & cons of buying in Broadfield.

As a letting agent we have property all over Crawley (and many further afield), including a number in both Pound Hill & Broadfield. To compare the two areas for the landlord we firstly looked at the gross rental yields he could expect in an area near to the Broadfield property being considered.  We then compared this to a similar sized area in Pound Hill, where he has his other investment properties. For the purpose of the comparison we just looked at 3 bedroom houses.

You might be surprised to learn, but our analysis showed that the area we considered in Broadfield out performed the area in Pound Hill, regarding gross rental yield ! The difference was just over 2.5%, which is not inconsiderable. The average Broadfield rental yield turned out to be just shy of 7% with average rental prices of £1140 pcm. In contrast, the Pound Hill rental yield was about 4.5%, with average rental prices of about £1290 pcm. So, Broadfield outperforms Pound Hill !

Of course, when buying a rental property, gross rental yield is not the only aspect to consider. Another key criteria to property investment is to look at capital growth. When investing in rental property, some people are mainly looking for yield. They might, for example, be relying on the income from their property investment to supplement their pension. On the other hand, others may be more interested in maximising long-term capital growth, with the intention of unlocking it at some point in the future, by selling.

To complete the picture, we also looked at the capital growth achieved by properties in the Broadfield area and found that over the last 16 or so years, the average 3 bedroom house had increased in value by around 210%, giving an absolute increase in capital of about £130000. However, when we did the same analysis on the Pound Hill area, the comparable capital growth was even more impressive at around 230% i.e. 20% more than in Broadfield ! In absolute money terms, a property purchased in this area about 16 years ago would have increased in capital value by just shy of £250000 !

So there you go. Although Broadfield outperforms Pound Hill as far as gross rental yield is concerned, Pound Hill gives a significantly higher level of capital growth. When thinking about property investments you need to consider whether yield, capital growth or perhaps a combination of the two, suits your circumstances.

Whether you’re an experienced landlord looking to invest in more properties or just tentatively considering taking a first step into Buy-to-Let, why not give us call on 01293 515588 to discuss the various options available to you. Alternatively, just send us an e-mail to crawley@northwooduk.com.

8th September 2015

2 bedroom flat, Broadfield, Crawley

Here’s and interesting apartment at Rathlin Rd on the outskirts of Broadfield, Crawley. The property, which is a 2 bedroom apartment with a balcony, is being marketed by Connells at £240000. The asking price may seem a bit steep when you compare it, for example, with the Pembroke Park development in Three Bridges. Rents for properties at this location vary from about £925pcm to £1000pcm, which would give a gross yield ranging from 4.5% to 5%.

Nonetheless from the marketing photos the property appears to be presented in very good condition. The Rightmove link is: http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-36264264.html?premiumA=true

Rathlin RoadFor the purpose of renting, however, there is one key drawback with this property. Can you spot it ? It can be remedied fairly easily for a few hundred pounds, but if implemented would make the property more appealing to a wider range of potential tenants – which is key to avoiding rental void periods.

Not sure of the issue we’re talking about ? Then drop us an e-mail to crawley@northwooduk.com and we’ll let you know.

If you’re looking for property investments in and around Crawley and would like some advice on what to buy and what features to aware of – like the apartment above – why not give us call on 01293 515588 or alternatively send us an e-mail to crawley@northwooduk.com   .