Asking Rents Peak - here's what that means for South London Landlords

According to a new report from Rightmove, asking rents in England and Wales have hit a new record high of £1,162 per calendar month. This is up 10.8% from last year, and is the highest level since Rightmove began tracking asking rents in 2008.

According to Rightmove, the average asking rent in South London is £1,323 per calendar month. This is up 9.8% from last year, and is the highest level since Rightmove began tracking asking rents in 2008. The average asking rent varies depending on the specific area of South London. For example, the average asking rent in Lambeth is £1,435 per calendar month, while the average asking rent in Croydon is £1,223 per calendar month.

The high level of asking rents in South London is due to a number of factors, including the strong demand for housing in the area, the limited supply of housing, and the rising cost of living. The report also found that the number of properties available to rent has fallen to a record low of 29,000, which is 40% lower than the same time last year. This is due to a number of factors, including the ongoing shortage of housing supply, the rising cost of living, and the increase in remote working.

What it means if you are letting...

• Make sure that you are on a sensible mortgage rate. If you are on your standard variable and you have no plans to sell up see if there is a simple product switch you can do to benefit from a lower rate and increase your monthly profit margin.
• That said, make sure that you are not running a charity! Increase your rents to market rent. "the tenant is good and pays on time" is great, but it's better if they pay a market rent so that you can get a good return from your investment. If you had stocks and shares invested you would want your dividends, not sending them back to the CEO to enjoy in Barbados.
• Ensure you are offering value. If you are having a tenant switchover make sure that your furniture is tip top, any repairs are done (reported or not) and the place is pristine for the new tenants to take over. Having a property in A* condition is a lot easier to manage and maintain for you and tenants alike because you can all agree it was tip top to start with.

Looking for more letting advice? Drop me a line and see if I can help you. Curious to see what your property is worth? I have an AI-driven tool on my website that can give you a rough estimation. Beware, it's not replacing me just yet so for an accurate appraisal be sure to reach out!

The Tenant Reform Bill - Will It Be CHAOS for South London Landlords!?

In case you missed it

The government in its infinite wisdom to make life better for everyone (but somehow worse for good landlords like your good self) has proposed quite a number of things that would have the average landlord gasp and get dialling for that ambulance quicker than you can call a tenant who's late on a rent payment!

Here's what the brainiacs in power are wanting to lumber upon us, property owners of South London:

Section 21 bye bye

They are proposing the abolition of the favoured S21 notice. This means that unless the tenant cocks up magnificently you have to wait until they serve you notice. One month of course... So you are stuck with Section 8 notices, under which of course we know there are 17 grounds you have to ask a judge for your property back (remember only a few of these are mandatory, the vast majority are discretionary grounds - 10-17).

Periodic tenancies only here

So rather than an initial fixed term the tenants will be able to stay as short as they like effectively. This is a particular pain for those that dabble in the student market, who often insist on giving notice so they can bugger off for the summer. They don't realise that it will be a royal PAIN to find new accommodation in the summer months when they return at the height of the lettings market of course, leading them to overpay for something inferior, but like with anything these kids can't be told. They'll be able to give you a month notice and if you get notice in a bad month like november it's likely you'll have a void over Christmas. No more running 12 month fixed terms from August to August or September to September, you'll be at the tenant's mercy as to when they'd like to leave, unable to plan ahead. I can't see this being a win for anyone, who in their right mind wants to move in under a year? The associated costs with moving are rising (as well as landlords' costs such as inventories, deposit paperwork and so on) so long term lettings are in everyone's best interest.

Ombudsman for Landlords

Just like agents landlords will be required to join an ombudsman scheme. Honestly I think this is super zealous, bearing in mind in 2021 the OFT and Trading Standards received a total of 21,245 complaints about landlords. The total number of landlords in the UK in 2020-2021 was 2.74 million. This means that the percentage of landlords who received a complaint was 0.78%. And this supposedly requires ombudsman membership for all! I wonder how much that's going to cost us South London landlords???

Tar and Feather

In case I hadn't outraged you enough already, do indulge in the whole white paper here. The Renters (Reform) Bill is (thankfully) still currently in its draft form. It must still go through several readings in the House of Commons and House of Lords, where the contents will be discussed and potentially amended, before receiving royal assent and becoming law. This whole process is anticipated to take around a year, with the new legislation expected to come into force in early 2024. I eagerly await... I would also hope that any fundamental changes are permitted a period of transitional implementation once the legislation is passed. This would allow landlords and tenants time to adjust to the new rules and regulations. However seen the government's past performance on this front I wouldn't bank on it. Law not followed, landlord bad, landlord fined...

There is still some way to go before the final proposals become legislation. I will of course keep you informed of the latest and if you are in doubt then do reach out to me for a no-obligation chat. Meanwhile stay on the right side of the regulations to avoid fines or taxes. Well, avoid isn't possible so let's just call it minimising liabilities and limiting risk exposure, it's a minefield!

Had enough of letting? Let me do the hard work for you. Start by getting a valuation from my valuation tool online and see how the pennies stack up for you. If you'd like to have a conversation in person then by all means reach out and let's get talking

South London Homeowners Struggling with Mortgage Payments

I only wrote about the disastrous consequences of the 100% mortgage a short while ago, and my predictions are already materialising!

Various news outlets are reporting that broker searches are including second charges a lot more and that people are looking to borrow their way out of financial trouble. Other searches that dominated the charts included "1 year self-employed and there was a rise in searches for lenders who will accept people that are currently on a debt management plan. This as well as the number one search - ‘maximum LTV’ indicates that borrowers are actively reaching out to brokers to help them get their money worries on track by (perhaps counterintuitive to some) borrowing more. My gander is however that refinancing at a lower rate at the same time would lower monthly payments as well as free up some capital to afford themselves some breathing space.

What does this tell us?

The hangover from the sniffle that was the pandemic is now seriously kicking in. Those that took out a nice (sub 2%) fixed term loan in 2018 or 2019 will see payments sky rocketing to 6% or thereabouts! A worrying sign for sure because together with inflation having run wild for the past few years of tomfoolery on the political/economic front I can't see a lot of borrowers will have been swimming in newly found wealth - perhaps just a Porsche they purchased from the bounceback loans).

Here are the top five searches performed by brokers on Knowledge Bank during May 2023:

Impact

A recent report by Pepper Advantage, a global credit intelligence company, highlights a concerning trend in the UK residential mortgage market. Pepper Advantage (With over $60 billion in assets under management)  has identified an 11 percent increase in borrower arrears in the year leading up to April 2023. This surge in arrears, which predates the recent base rate rises, is the highest growth rate since the global financial crisis over a decade ago. What impact does that have on the South London Property Market?

Growing Mortgage Arrears

The data indicates a strong correlation between rising borrower arrears and repayment collection failures, known as Direct Debit Rejections (DDRs). DDRs occur when there are insufficient funds in a borrower's account to cover a direct debit instruction processed by a creditor. Historically, DDRs have been a reliable leading indicator of borrower stress.The year leading up to April 2023 witnessed a significant increase of 33 percent in the percentage of accounts with a DDR across its UK mortgage portfolio. This rise in DDRs suggests that more borrowers are experiencing financial difficulties, which may eventually lead to arrears.

Regional Variations and Impact on South London:

Pepper Advantage's data also reveals interesting regional variations in mortgage arrears rates. While the arrears rate in London was around five percent in April 2023, the North East and North West regions of the UK experienced significantly higher rates, approximately 10 percent each. This emerging north-south divide indicates that South London might be relatively insulated from the brunt of the arrears issue. However, it is crucial to monitor the situation closely, as economic challenges and financial stress can have ripple effects. Potential factors such as job market fluctuations, changes in interest rates, and local economic conditions could still influence the property market in South London.

Different mortgages, different strokes

Pepper Advantage's report highlights variations in arrears rates based on mortgage types. Fixed rate mortgages experienced a 35.7 percent increase in arrears, while variable rate mortgages saw a slightly lower but still significant rise of 25.1 percent. Although the growth in variable rate arrears was recorded off a higher base, it indicates potential vulnerability among borrowers with adjustable interest rates.

The South London property market could experience some impact from these variations. Landlords with properties tied to variable rate mortgages might face increased risks as a result of borrower arrears. On the other hand, those with fixed rate mortgages may have more stability, but the overall market sentiment could be affected if the arrears situation worsens.

I know from data that the rental market is shrinking by 66 properties every single day at the moment as landlords struggle to make sense of the myriad of complexities (regulations) and see no profit due to tax grabs. I do wonder which investment is taking their fancy at the moment if property isn't? Perhaps a good time to be a South London landlord as demand is increasing as well as supply shrinking! Rental prices are on the rise, that is for sure.

If you are keen for an online valuation for sales or rental check out my online valuation tool or send me an email and let's book an in-person visit.

Investor Top tips 25/30 - The top 5 things that put off buyers and renters!

Continuing on my list of top investor tips, today the top 5 things that put off buyers and renters!

Have a look at the video and see if you can improve how quickly you let/sell or improve the price that you're going to get by following these tips!

As always I'm happy to help you so do reach out via email! I love to help other investors old and new find their way in the myriad of strategies that are available. Are you looking for coaching, mentoring or simply after a sourced deal? Do check out my personal website to choose a package for you! Don't forget to check out my YouTube channel for more useful information on all things buy-to-let and don't forget to subscribe!

National Landlord Licensing to roll out to Clapham Landlords

20% of landlords are registered with Rent Smart Wales, the mandatory licensing scheme for landlords in Wales. They are looking to roll this scheme out nationally under the “National Landlord Licensing” scheme. RSM has proven rather ineffective with only 3 prosecutions to date, so here it is - I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: “enforcing existing legislation is more (cost) effective than further legislation.”

The PRS has a lot going for it, low rents and long tenancies galore, providing the tenant behaves. Automatic rights for tenants to stay a long time are nonsensical, simply because landlords will not risk being stuck with a terrible tenant for a long period of time without the safety net of the ability to evict.

So what next? Compliant landlords are frustrated at increased taxation and legislation when “rogues” next door get away with beds in sheds and the like. With the prosecution rate low it’s a risk rogues continue to take, with the burden of tax and legislation falling on those that will fully comply.... but this doesn’t even self-fund the schemes, leaving a further financial hole to chase down the bad landlords that the schemes were set up to tackle in the first place!

Source: https://news.rla.org.uk/future-for-private-renting-in-wales/
 

I hope you enjoyed reading. If you are keen to take things further, be it to start from scratch, or do something a bit more interesting with your current portfolio... Start the conversation on email. I'd love to meet you in person of course at this month's Clapham Property Meet, so do come along. Click here for tickets and more info.

I want to look further from the station to find more space, but how will this affect the value of my property if the market changes?

This was precisely the question I was asked whilst having a catching up with an old friend earlier this week, and an excellent question which is well worth addressing. So let’s first state the obvious. Being close to transport is good. Typically, buyers like properties that are close to transport and properties that are located within a 7-8 minute walk from a station also tend to hold their value. Hence investors and developers tend to be a lot more cautious when it comes to putting their money into properties further out than this.

However, I told my friend that a big factor which has contributed to the rapidly increasing prices of the last few years here in London is the shortage of supply. And what do people do when there is not much on the market? Look further out. When in the position of buying and faced with the option of a cramped property relatively close to a transport hub, or a much larger place that is further away from a station, buyers compromise. Suddenly, that 15 minute trek seems much more do-able – especially in a market like London where buyers are typically stretching themselves to get on the property ladder in the first place – and have to compromise on something unless their budget is unlimited!

And what happens to prices as a result? We know that centrally located properties tend to increase in price steadily. However, what we have seen in the last few years is that when supply is restricted the prices of properties further out actually increase more rapidly in percentage terms, as they play catch up with with the more central ones. Properties further out have gone up at phenomenal rates over the last three years. Naturally, should the market be flooded with properties the price increases could be liable to plateau as buyers can afford to be more picky in terms of location.

Ultimately, investing in property in a market as buoyant as London is generally a wise long term decision wherever you buy. As always there is no right answer or wrong answer, it depends on circumstance – but the big factor when considering whether to purchase a property closer or further from transport – when looking from a price perspective – really comes down to how long you are planning to keep the property for. I advised my friend that were he only planning to keep the property for just a couple of years before upsizing or moving elsewhere, it would probably be better to purchase close to the tube station in the location he was looking at, as this would leave him less vulnerable to any short term volatility in the market. If he was looking to keep the property for longer, say 5-10 years as a long term investment, if he looks further afield not only is he likely to get considerably more for his money, it is highly likely to be a shrewd decision financially.

As always if you are eyeing up an investment and would like a second opinion do get in touch on 020 3397 2099 or drop me a line.

Richard Thompson
Sales Manager

EPC - is your property going to fail?

Energy performance certificates have been around for a number of years now; most sellers and landlords will be aware of their existence. They are however probably not aware of their importance. Granted, up until recently they weren't very important; but that is set to change.

When Brussels imposed the EPC legislation on the UK (again the debate of UK's EU membership lights up, but that’s for another day) it was seen by the estate agency as red tape. "Buyers buy because they love the house, its local transport links, visual appeal and suitability to their requirements, not because they are spending less on their energy bill" was the argument from many an agent, me included. In London even more so, with flats being the home of choice for professional sharers and the bulk of properties in London being terraced houses, flats or perhaps even the odd semi-detached house the saving in energy consumption could have meant less than a £30 per month difference between A and F rated properties. Perhaps more so now (energy prices have risen and inflation has devalued our currency since EPC introduction in 2008), but the consensus was that there was very little attention paid to the energy bill when making a purchasing decision.

This is all set to change from 2016 with the introduction of legislation making it compulsory for landlords to make improvements at tenants' requests in order to make the home more energy efficient; and by 1 April 2018 ALL landlords must upgrade the energy efficiency of the rental properties which are rated F and lower to a minimum of E by April 2018 or they will not be allowed to let until such time improvements are made.

So with this in mind, is your portfolio ready for the government’s continued eco agenda?

Source: The Guardian Online.

Looking for a bargain at auction? Look no further.

Three bedroom apartments are always in high demand with sharers. In my experience they command the least void periods and provided they are refurbished to a high specification they always attract top-notch tenants. Gone are the days where renting a 3bed meant opening the doors to 3 rugby players that party all day and night. The gross of our 3beds are rented to respectable professionals with good jobs. Depending on the specification completely, but tenants range from graduate first-jobbers to qualified accountants, PhD students, doctors and lawyers. Naturally doctors and lawyers don't want cheap IKEA furniture though!

I saw this lot in the auction for 17th February with Savills and it represents an ideal opportunity. With over 100 years left on the lease and situated in a convenient spot between Oval and Stockwell it's ideal for those who want a serene home life and do their socialising in the City.

Click here to see the Savills Auction Property in question - 24 Cleveland Mansions, Mowll Street SW9

With Flats 4, 6, 16, 7 and 28 in the block all sold last year for 495k and over it looks like a safe bet, even if works are required. Estimated rental (depending on quality of refurbishment) between £500 and £550pw). I found another one in a neighbouring block too.
More photos on the late sales below, bear in mind most of these are listed as 2bedroom apartments so it would be interesting to compare layouts on the visit if you are indeed going for a look:

Comparable 1 - 28 Cleveland Mansions
Comparable 2 - 6 Cleveland Mansions
Comparable 3 - 4 Cleveland Mansions
Comparable 4 - 33 Aigburth Mansions

Remember, as always, if you do have your eye on an investment property and you'd like to pick my brain to see if it's worthwhile drop me a line: Via email or ring the office for an informal chat: 020 3397 2099.

Rent controls, do we need them to stop rents from spiralling out of control?

Not a day goes by that we don't hear about the London property market, and namely that rents are astronomically high. Higher than other parts of the country of course. But so are earnings; and food; and transport; and everything for that matter. We are frequently hearing from tenant action groups calling for lowered rents and a fairer deal for tenants. But what about landlords? Nobody is campaigning for lower mortgages and better laws to stop tenants from withholding rents and so forth...

The latest comes in the leadup to the elections with Labour touting Rent Controls as the latest gimmick to sway voters. Or renters should I say. I can't imagine that many landlords would embrace the idea of the government telling them how much rent they can earn from their investment. That's like the government interfering with the stock market, limiting the rise and fall of share prices.

One argues that renters are being squeezed out due to rents being unaffordable, and research suggests* that 77% of private tenants are in favour of rent controls. This would offer them a fairer deal. In the short term. If rent controls are introduced it would no doubt restrict the number of BTL investors, thus reducing the number of homes to rent. Less choice. Which is bad for consumers, in this case the would-be tenants. And consumers/tenants love choice. I can tell you a thing about that, it takes quite a few viewings before a tenant makes a decision on where to live! 20 viewings is not uncommon.

But as the Telegraph would suggest there is no problem to fix. There is no evidence that would-be homeowners are being pushed out of the market. With various help-to-buy schemes helping to fund deposits and so forth there is plenty of assistance. Would rent controls aid this further? Arguable.

With the elections upon us in the not all too distant future we are finding ourselves under attack by promises of fairer deals, lower taxes, more job opportunities, better education and so forth. But if we read past the headlines and the bold statements, does it hold water?


* Source: The Telegraph Online

Excellent, a high yielding 3bed maisonette in Stockwell SW8/SW9 Borders

I came across this one this morning and it is absolutely beautiful. Financially of course. A three bedroom, split-level, maisonette in Stockwell. We have had similar properties in the past, which have achieved offers in excess of the asking price simply due to high yield. To see one available at this price is excellent, and certainly deserves attention at this price. With an asking price of £279,950 and an estimated rental of £450pw it works out to 8.4% gross yield at asking price.

Interested yet?

Remember if you are looking at this investment, or others, feel free to drop me a line either here on the blog or privately via email on jeroen@xandermatthew.com or give me a ring on 020 3397 2099.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-50225552.html

6.8% rental yield in Clapham South

This four bedroom flat in Poynders Garden SW4 has just come onto the market with Foxtons, at an asking price of £399,950.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-49501853.html

Finished to a reasonable standard, with four good size double bedrooms, a large reception room, and within easy walking distance of Clapham South (Northern Line) and Balham (London Victoria), the property would make an ideal home for professional sharers. 

After studying the floorplan and noting the lack of a bathroom photograph, it seems unlikely that it includes a shower - something most sharers would consider essential. A bathroom refit should be considered if you want to make the property as attractive as possible to prospective tenants. After making minor changes a weekly rent of £525 would be achievable, offering a 6.8% yield at asking price. The recent stamp duty reform also represents a saving of £2,000 when compared to the old 'slab' system.

If you've spotted a buy-to-let opportunity or need impartial advice regarding your current property portfolio, feel free to give me a call on 020 3397 2099 or email me at jeroen@xandermatthew.com.

Buy-To-Let bargain

Just a quick one from me today - blog followers will remember this three bedroom flat in Camberwell from a couple of weeks ago. 

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-49183244.html

The asking price has now been reduced from £335,000 to O.I.E.O £300,000. This represents a potential rental yield of up to 6.7%, a great opportunity for any buy-to-let investor. 

If you're a landlord or developer who's spotted a property with investment potential, email the web link to jeroen@xandermatthew.com and I'll be happy to give you my opinion. 

Buy-To-Let in Streatham Hill

This two bedroom flat in Streatham Hill has been on the market with Haart for just over a month, and was reduced today from £295,000 to £288,000.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-46638283.html

The ground floor flat in Balcombe House, SW2 is within walking distance of Streatham Hill station (for London Victoria) and offers two good size double bedrooms as well as a large reception room. In the current rental market it could be expected to achieve £1,400pcm, offering a 5.8% yield at asking price. 

It's not uncommon for properties in the £250,000 - £300,000 range to have difficulty attracting buyers because of the stamp duty threshold. It's likely that the vendor would entertain offers lower than the asking price, enabling a buy-to-let investor to maximise their yield.

Thinking of buying, selling or letting? Ask my opinion with no obligation by giving me a call on 020 3397 2099, or email me at jeroen@xandermatthew.com.

Development opportunity on Cavendish Road

The lots for December's auctions have been released, and this four bedroom property in Balham SW12 looks to be one of the best opportunities available for developers and investors.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-32958450.html

The property on Cavendish Road goes under the hammer on Wednesday 10th December with Auction House London, with a guide price of £675,000. It's available with 124 years remaining on the lease, and planning permission has already been granted to create a separate lower ground floor two bedroom flat in addition to extending the existing two bedroom garden flat. 

With its enviable location close to Clapham South Tube (Northern Line) and The Common itself, two bedroom period flats on Cavendish Road can fetch anywhere from £500,000 to £700,000, depending on condition and outside space. 

Viewings can be booked with Auction House London (020 8012 3603) and are scheduled for the following times:

Thursday 27th November 14:30

Monday 1st December 13:30

Thursday 4th December 14:30

Monday 8th December 13:30

If you have your eye on a development or buy-to-let opportunity, why not get a second opinion? Email the Rightmove or Zoopla link to jeroen@xandermatthew.com and I'll be happy to give you my thoughts.

7% yield in Brixton

This four bedroom flat in SW2 is available through Beresford Residential with an asking price of £375,000. 

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-49181534.html

At over 1,000 sq. ft. and offering four good size double bedrooms plus a reception room, it would make an ideal buy-to-let property. If there's one downside it's the lack of public transport links in the immediate area. Potential tenants would have a 15 minute walk to the nearest train station, but given the demand for four bedroom properties this shouldn't be problematic.

At this time of year it could be expected to achieve in the region of £480 per week, but in the peak summer rental market where sharers are willing to pay a premium for three and four bedroom properties, £525 per week wouldn't be unrealistic. This represents a fantastic 7.3% yield at asking price. 

If you've spotted a buy-to-let or development opportunity in SW London, give us a call on 020 3397 2099 for free advice with no obligation. 

Buy-to-let with 6%+ yield

Something a bit different for the blog today, as it's the first time I've posted a property that's on the market with my own agency! Trust me, if you're a buy-to-let investor it's worth a look. The property in question is a three bedroom ex-local authority flat on the market with an asking price of £335,000, and is available chain free for a prompt sale.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-49079678.html

With three good sized double bedrooms and a large reception room, it would be an ideal home for professional sharers. Located in Camberwell SE5, the property is within easy walking distance of several stations as well as Kings College Hospital. It could be expected to rent for £390 per week, offering a 6% yield at asking price.

Thinking of buying, selling or letting? Why not ask my opinion with no obligation? Email me in confidence at kevin@xandermatthew.com or call me on 020 3397 2099.

Update on Queenstown Road period flat

Eagle-eyed blog followers will remember me telling you about this 3 bedroom period flat a few weeks ago http://claphamproperty.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/period-flat-with-excellent-capital.html

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-48777956.html

In the last 24 hours the asking price has been reduced from £565,000 to £535,000, offering a rental yield of 4.4%. The demand for period properties, ongoing regeneration of Nine Elms, and the Northern Line extension to Battersea all bode well for future capital growth prospects, and this is where you'll really see a return on your investment. 

To maximise your future profit I'd suggest testing the water with an offer below the £500,000 stamp duty threshold.

If you're thinking of buying, selling or letting and want a second opinion with no obligation, give me a call on 020 3397 2099 or email kevin@xandermatthew.com.

The best ex-local flat I've seen in a while. A stunner

Those were the words of one of my colleagues in the lettings department when he came across this property this morning. I'd have to agree.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-48961985.html

At almost 1,000 sq. ft. with three good size double bedrooms, a study and large reception room all finished to an excellent standard, this Brixton flat would make a superb home for professional tenants. The block itself is well maintained, as is the surrounding area, and lies just 400 yards from Brixton tube (Victoria Line). 

Available for offers in excess of £375,000, the flat would fetch £475 per week in the current rental market offering an attractive yield of 6.6%. 

If you're thinking of purchasing a buy-to-let or development property then why not ask my opinion with no obligation? Email me in confidence at kevin@xandermatthew.com or call me on 020 3397 2099.

How much? £144,000 annual salary needed to buy in Wandsworth.

I came across this article in The Wandsworth Guardian this morning and thought it was worth sharing. In order to buy an average Wandsworth property, an individual or family has to earn an annual household income of £143,534. 

Northcote Road in Battersea

The stats are perhaps slightly exaggerated. In the current sales market the average buyer usually has a deposit considerably higher than the 5% quoted, often supported by The Bank of Mum and Dad who worry that it's a case of "now or never" for their child to get on the property ladder. Regardless, the figures are still staggering.

The good news for buy-to-let landlords is that with more and more young professionals and families resigning themselves to renting for the foreseeable future, there are excellent opportunities for both high rental yield and capital growth. If you come across a property that interests you on Rightmove or Zoopla, send the link to me at kevin@xandermatthew.com and I'll be happy to give you my honest opinion. 

Location, Location, Location

Moments from Stockwell tube (Northern and Victoria lines), this 2 double bedroom apartment would be ideal for a first time buyer or buy-to-let investor.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-46850578.html

The property is listed with LudlowThompson for £350,000. Having recently been refurbished, and available chain free, a quick sale seems likely. Two double bedrooms so close to the tube will catch the eye of good quality professional tenants who would expect to pay up to £1,600pcm in the current rental market, offering a 5.5% yield at asking price. 

Thinking of buying, selling or letting? Why not ask my opinion with no obligation? Feel free to email me in confidence at kevin@xandermatthew.com or call me on 020 3397 2099.