Investment properties in Edinburgh come in all shapes and sizes

I recently attended a local meeting in Edinburgh where I got recognised as being The Edinburgh Property Blog chap (well you have to be recognised for something, why not that!).  A question I was being asked repeatedly was ''What is the ideal property to invest in in Edinburgh?''.  So I thought I would share my thoughts with you.

When considering a buy-to-let purchase what is believed to be a good deal will vary from person to person.  Everyone will have a different budget and varying preferences on location, style of property, condition etc as well as having different financial situations. That isn’t unusual, no different to everyone who has a different taste in music (I’m a 1980’s person myself with love of Abba if you are interested!).

I have always been of the opinion personally that “spreading the risk” is wise if you have a large portfolio.  A couple in the Marchmont, a few in Dalry, some in Newington etc, makes sense. All your eggs in one basket is a risk if something unpredicted were to occur.

I am also of the opinion that buying two properties for £175,000 is better than one at £350,000.  If you choose wisely two properties at £170,000 might rent for £800 a month each, but you’d struggle to find a £375,000 house that would rent for anywhere near £1,600.

Then there is the view that HMO properties cost more and change hands more regularly than non-HMO ones, so going for non-HMO ones might be wiser. But rents are generally higher in HMO properties which may well compensate for this.  The “what if’s” are endless.

Also, you need to be nimble when investing in property and change your investment strategy to take account of market, legislative and tax changes.  Take tax as an example.  The ‘normal’ element of Land & Buildings Transaction Tax (the Scottish stamp duty to you and me) starts being charged at £125,000 and this is meaning that certain buyers buying properties at less than, or as close to, £125,000 to mitigate this tax …. although I would point out that the Additional Dwellings Tax element of LBTT normally applies to the whole cost of a buy to let property.

In addition, there are a number of fairly ‘fixed costs’ associated with renting out a property – for example, registrations and safety certificates – and, given their fixed nature, these are proportionally higher for cheaper properties.

One thing is for certain, demand for one, two and three bedroom properties in the rental sector is high which means that there is room to trial many different stratagies.

We have developed a checklist which guide peoples to work out what sort of property is likely to fit their circumstances.  Please get in touch is you want a copy.

In short, don’t assume.  Feel free to get in touch and ask me what I think about your plans. I would be happy to cast an eye over the property you are considering buying and let you know what I think the pro’s and the con’s of it are – call me on 0131 603 4570 or email me on robert@thekeyplace.co.uk.

If you are a landlord or thinking of becoming one for the first time, and you want to read more articles like this about the Edinburgh property market together with regular postings on what I consider the best buy to let deals in Edinburgh out of the many of properties on the market irrespective of which agent is selling it, then visit my blog, The Edinburgh Property Blog, or sign up for our monthly newsletter, the Edinburgh Property News.

www.thekeyplace.co.uk

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