I've researched a lot of companies offering properties for sale and many are more concerned with making the sale than whether the deal stacks up and it's a good investment. Whatever the discount offered, the make or break factor is - will someone rent it and for how much?

The only way to find this out is to use a company that provides good research on why the area is good to buy in. And to do your own 'due diligence', meaning carry out your own checks. Simple actions like calling local estate agents posing as an investor with a property to rent; then later as someone wanting to rent a property. See the difference in the rent they say you can get. Look on websites to see what properties are being offered for in terms of rent...note this is the offer price not necessarily what they get in rent. Remember to add in all the costs of running a property - management fees, service charges, ground rent, maintenance as well as mortgage.

Personally, I have some properties that don't wash their faces, and I have to subsidise them by £50-100 a month when all costs are taken into account. But I view this as a contribution to a pension; and I also know that it won't take more than 2-3 years before the rent will increase to a point where I break even.

Hope this helps.

Kimberley

Kimberley Charman
Property Investors Road