Tag: rental yield

23rd September 2015

1 & 2 bedroom flats, Southgate Crawley

You don’t see this very often. Two flats in the same development at Godolphin Court, Southgate, Crawley, both being marketed at the same price of £180 000.

One of the flats is on with Connells (http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-36567399.html?premiumA=true) and the other with Homes Partnership (http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-54868772.html).

The difference between the two properties is that one of them is a 2 bedroom flat “in need of updating”, while the other is 1 bedroom flat in what looks like pristine condition from the marketing photos.

Godolphin 23-9-15So, which one do you buy ? To answer this question, we have to consider a number of factors.

A one bed flat in tip-top condition at Godolphin Court should achieve £775 to £800 pcm. Based on a purchase price of £180000, this gives a maximum gross annual yield of between 5.2% and 5.3%.

What about the 2 bedroom flat ? Well, firstly we would not recommend letting it out in its current condition ! Let’s say for argument’s sake, however, we spend £10k on renovations & re-decorating, to bring it up to the same standard as the one bedroom flat. Now, 2 bedroom flats at Godolphin Court in excellent condition should let for between £900 & £975 pcm.  Based on these rental figures and a purchase price of £180000 plus £10k renovation costs, we would expect to achieve a maximum gross annual yield of around 5.7% to 6.2%. If you can get some money off the purchase price, however, your yield will increase still further.

So, by adding value to the 2 bedroom flat and bringing it “up to spec”, you can see that a higher potential yield can be achieved in comparison with the “ready-made package” of the one bedroom property. Of course, this is not always the case. You must be very careful when buying a property that “needs updating” that (a) you do not buy it at too high a price and (b) you do not overspend on renovation works. If you’ve ever watched TV programmes like “Property Ladder” you’ll no doubt have witnessed how easy it is to get carried away and overspend on the initial purchase price as well as the subsequent property renovation.

If you’re looking to buy property to let or develop in Crawley, or would like an independent opinion of your current property project, why not give us a call on 01293 515588 or e-mail us on crawley@northwooduk.com.

22nd September 2015

Brand New: 2 bedroom apartment, Manor Royal, Crawley

Here’s an opportunity to buy a brand new 2 bed apartment in the heart of Manor Royal, Crawley. Marketed by Cubitt & West, the asking price for the 1st floor flat advertised here is £200 000. Here’s the Rigtmove link in case you want some more details : http://www.rightmove.co.uk/new-homes-for-sale/property-36525576.html.

Bowthorpe Pl 22-9-15

It’s a little more difficult to gauge the market rent for these properties as they are a fair distance from others in the area. However, we would expect a 2 bedroom example like this to achieve between £950 and £1000pcm in the current market. With an asking price of £200 000, this would give a maximum gross annual yield of between 5.7% & 6%. If you regularly read this blog, you’ll know that is a pretty good return, given the area and current state of the market.

One word of advice, however. If you’re serious about a property in this development, make sure you secure at least one allocated parking space (and preferably two). Allocated parking spaces can mean the difference between getting your flat rented quickly and having it hang around empty for a while.

If you’re a property investor looking for your next buy-to-let deal, or new to lettings and not sure what and where to buy, why not give us a call to discuss the different options Crawley has to offer. Alternatively, drop us an e-mail to crawley@northwooduk.com.

19th September 2015

Three Bedroom House, Ifield, Crawley

Some property investors are concerned about buying leasehold properties. They’re worried, for example, about the maintenance charges levied by the freeholder, what happens to the communal areas in the case of flats etc.. etc….

Investing in leasehold properties is fine in our opinion. However, freehold properties are equally as good. So, if you feel happier owning the freehold, why make life more difficult for yourself by buying leasehold ! ?

So, here’s a potential freehold investment property. It is a 3 bed terraced house in Ifield, Crawley, close to Ifield train station. In good condition, these types of properties will normally rent for upwards of £1200pcm. This property is marketed by King & Chasemore, Crawley, with a guide price of £270 000. For more details, here’s the Rigtmove link: http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-54774053.html

Treyford 19-9-15From the marketing photos the property looks in good condition (but do please check !) and has a garage en bloc. There are also local schools close by, which brings us nicely on to the subject of the type of potential tenants properties like this will tend to attract. Any guesses ?

If marketed in the right way a property like this 3 bedroom house will, of course, attract families. Proximity to schools is very often a major consideration for these types of tenants and this property has both primary & secondary schools close by.  If you’d like to know more about letting these types of properties – both pros & cons – we have a free guide to help you. Just send us an e-mail and we’ll forward it on.

Back to the figures…what about the yield ?

Well, based on the guide price and a rental figure of around £1200 pcm, you would expect a maximum gross annual yield of 5.3 %. With a bit of tough negotiation, however, you might be able to get a price reduction & improve the yield figures. As estate agents ourselves we can give a bit of “inside information” – strictly legal of course ! – about presenting any offer you care to make in the best possible light. Just let us know and we’ll forward the information to you.

If you’re looking for property investments in and around Crawley, or would like a an independent opinion on a property you have your eye on or are buying through another agent, why not give us a call. We’re on 01293 515588. You can also e-mail us on crawley@northwooduk.com.

16th September 2015

2 bed maisonette, Langley Green, Crawley

Take a look at this very well presented 2 bedroom, ground floor maisonette in Langley Green, Crawley. It’s marketed by Moore & Partners with a guide price of £220 000. For a closer look, here’s the Rightmove link http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-54712082.html

LG 16-9-15Now, for £220000 you could probably get a more modern 2 bedroom flat over in Pembroke Park, Crawley, close to Three Bridges train station with its fast rail links to London. Langley Green, however, is a little more out of the way in terms of main line rail access, but this property does some have some very good features.

One feature we like is the room sizes. As this type of property is from the Crawley New Town “commission” era, its room sizes are pretty large compared to its more modern counterparts. In addition, you have your own private garden and it is likely to have a much lower annual maintenance charge compared with new build flats. But do please check !

This type of property would appeal more to a couple or young family (because of the size & outside space), rather than “professional sharers”. We’ve just let a similar property for £975pcm and there are other examples around that rent out at a similar price.

Based on the guide price, a rent of £975pcm would translate into a gross annual yield of 5.3%. So not too bad at all. If you’re interested, one word of warning though, do check to see why the EPC rating is only a D. It might even give you some room for negotiation on the price !

If you’re interested in the Crawley buy to let market, whether as an experienced landlord or someone thinking of investing for the first time, why not call us on 01293 515588 for a chat to discuss some of your ideas, or e-mail us on crawley@northwooduk.com.

15th September 2015

2 bedroom flat, St Georges Court, West Green, Crawley

If you’re looking for annual gross rental yield above 5%, then take a look at this flat at St Georges Court. On the market at £195000 with ConnectUK, the flat, according to the description, has been refurbished throughout. The pictures look great and it has been newly double glazed. For more information on the property visit the Rightmove link here: http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-54672362.html

St Georges Ct

Flats at St Georges Court are older than those at Pembroke Park, for example, and tend to only have a family bathroom i.e. no  en-suite. As such, they are a bit cheaper to buy and do not command as much in rent.

However, the development is ideally located for Crawley town centre, Manor Royal, Gatwick etc…., so location is good for reducing potential void periods between tenants.

Properties like this are fetching £875 to £895pcm at present which gives a gross annual yield of between 5.4% & 5.5%.

If you’re looking for investment property and want some impartial free advice, why not e-mail us at: crawley@northwooduk.com or call us on 01293 515588. Alternatively, if you’re buying an investment property through another agent and want an independent opinion, we’re more than happy to help.

14th September 2015

2 bedroom flat, Three Bridges, Crawley

Here’s a nice looking apartment in the ever popular Pembroke Park development in Three Bridges, Crawley. Marketed by Inspire Estate Agents at £220 000, we would guess that it will probably not be around for very long before an offer is accepted. Here’s the Rightmove link if you’re interested in taking a look at some further details http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-36392469.html.

cutThe property has an en-suite to the master bedroom and a family bathroom with a shower over the bath. So from an investment point of view it scores well in terms of great location with access to Three Bridges Station and will appeal to couples & sharers alike – with two separate showers. Together with gas central heating, underground parking and a balcony we think it has plenty of investment potential.

So, down to the nuts & bolts……what about the yield ! ?

Properties like this are currently renting in Crawley for anything between £995 pcm & £1050 pcm. Based on the asking price this gives a gross annual yield of 5.4% to 5.7%. So not too bad at all.

If you’re interested in property investment in Crawley & the surrounding towns, or perhaps have your eye on a particular property, why not give us call or e-mail for some independent and free advice ? Call us on 01293 515588 or e-mail: crawley@northwooduk.com.

9th September 2015

One bedroom maisonette, Northgate, Crawley

A one bedroom maisonette in Glenview Cl, Northgate, Crawley has just come on to the market with Astons estate agents at £159950. Gelnview 9-9-15Although there are no internal photos to show condition, properties like this usually rent for in excess of £700 and may be more. Ideal as a starter home, in case you get fed up with the rental game!

Based on the asking price and our rental guide, you should get a gross annual rental yield of around 5.25%

Here’s the Rightmove link :http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-36297228.html

If you’re looking for property investments in and around Crawley & would like some advice on what to buy and what features to aware of, why not give us call on 01293 515588 or drop 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   .

3rd September 2015

2 bedroom flat, Trafalgar Gardens, Pound Hill, Crawley

A 2 bedroom apartment in the gated Trafalgar Gardens development, Crawley. You can almost roll out of bed onto Thee Bridges station from here ! The location will appeal to a very wide range of prospective tenants from those working locally in Crawley or Gatwick airport, to those who commute up to London, but don’t want to pay London rents. Additional plus points include lift access (which is not included in all of the Trafalgar Gardens blocks) and underground parking. The property is marked by Fox & Sons at £220 000. For more information here is the Rightmove link http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-36198504.html?premiumA=true

Properties like this apartment in Trafalgar Gardens have been achieving between about £995 & £1075 pcm. Based on the purchase price this gives a fairly healthy annual gross yield of between 5.4% to 5.7%.Trafalgar Gdn 3-9-15There is just one feature in the property we would recommend changing, however. This should not cost too much (perhaps a few hundred pounds) and would make the property appeal to a much wider selection of potential tenants. As such, this would help in reducing void periods i.e. the length of time the property was empty between tenancies. If you’re interested in this property and would like to know the “tweek” we’re proposing, just drop us an e-mail 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 be aware of – like the apartment above – why not give us call on 01293 515588 or e-mail to crawley@northwooduk.com   .

25th August 2015

3 bedroom house, Tilgate, Crawley

From the outside, here’s a nice looking house that first came on to the market in early July (see our 1st July 2015 blog entry). Well, it’s now come down in price from £285 000 to £277 000 – bit of an odd price, but there you go ! The property is on the market with estate agents House Network Ltd..

As the market is still reasonably quiet at the moment there may be scope to drive the price down a bit further, particularly given the fact that it would be wise to tone down some of the internal room colours.

Here’s the link Rightmove link to see further details http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-35271762.html?premiumA=true

Properties like this mostly appeal to families and, in our opinion, represent a good solid long term investment. With rents pushing at the seams due to reduced supply, you should achieve a rent of £1200 to £1250 pcm, giving a maximum gross annual yield of between 5.2% to 5.4%. Of course, if you could get a bit more off the asking price, so much the better !

Tilgate 25-8-15

If you’re looking for property investments in and around Crawley and would like some independent advice on something you have your eye on, why not give us call before you part with any money. We don’t charge for our opinion. Feel free to give me a call on 01293 515588 or drop us an e-mail to crawley@northwooduk.com .