Very interesting post.

I think in all market conditions there are winners and losers.

We have built a large portfolio in South Yorkshire over the years and the portfolio stands on its own, i have always known this down turn was coming and knew i would have to walk through it before i would make some serious gains.

I wanted to be in a position when the market bottoms to be sitting on a good size portfolio ready for the next increases. With all the pent up demand as soon as the market starts to reach a near bottom everyone will be piling in and before we know it you are back in bidding wars for properties and picking up discounted properties in this market is tough, i have done it !

I reached the size of portfolio i wanted a few months back, what we have set up is to offer the exact deals i was taking on, made available from our marketing to investors, who have money to invest in deals. We don't advertise for these "associates" and they have to sign a code of conduct etc and already have an income away from property to be able to apply. This is to protect our "rent - back" clients.

The average amount our clients need to put in to each purchase is £10,000 which is for everything, deposit, solicitors, survey,broker fee, our fee, etc etc. What they get in return is an immediate "double" their investment ie for £10,000 put in you would get instantly £20,000 equity, the rent covers the mortgage by about £50 per month ! Through our service of using the discount to pay some towards all the costs it works out you have to outlay about 50% of what you would have to outlay using a conventional method and you also get more instant equity in return!

We have clients wanting anything from 2million to 10 million portfolios and works as a long term investment who live all over the UK because the properties can be managed fully for 6% !!! especially for our clients.

This shows that if you have some money to put in to deals in todays market there are some bargains to be grabbed before the herds return !

There will always be winners and losers in any parts of the cycle and different models to adjust to within each part !

Hi. I'd be interested to talk to you more about what you do. Can you email me your contact details on

info @ propertyinvestorsroad. com

Thanks
Kimberley Charman

sent you an e-mail Kimberley

Oh dear, how true your comments about Leeds and Manchester (on the new build side of things).
Bill, your apartment development sounds excellent (and hard work!) but as Property Developer and Figaro point out - if you have the cash, there are bargains to be had.
Actually, there are the mortgages too - you just need a specialist broker!
Amateur landlords would do well to stick to less risky investments. As I always say, if you can't afford to lose, don't gamble!!
Michele

__________________
Michele Andrew
Editor of Square Foot Magazine

My company launched the Landord & Buy-to-Let Show in March last year. It is a trade show for landlords, property professionals and would be investors.

Our shows are still growing, we recently launched a Glasgow version to compliment our Manchester, Birmingham and London Shows and they are always busy. I believe this reflects a healthy and vibrant private rented sector.

Regards

Oliver

Agree with you on most points, I strongly agree with the chance to capitalise on repossesions, have picked up some good deals so far this year. Also done very well on land investment.


Still advisable to keep a wide and varied portfolio, not just solely dependant on the UK market.

I have recently attended a few BTL shows in the UK looking at the posibility of introducing a new market for anyone who is uncertain or low on funds.

Basically, we offer BTL landlords an option to purchase new-build contracts on overseas properties.

An example

Polaris World in Spain - Total value for a 2 bed golf apartment is 95,000GBP

It has 12 months till completion and the present contract owner has paid 40% -36,000GBP with the balance to pay in June 2009.

The owners will accept 8,000GBP for the contract, saving the buyer 28,000GBP.

There is an automatic low-cost builders mortgage at the end.

Quite a cheap way to enter the property market at present.

The buyer can either sell the contract on at a profit or BTL at the end.

As UK BTL landords, what is your opinion of the scheme?

__________________
Keith Newman

Contracts4Trade.Com

"Your Purchase Contract Marketplace"

www.contracts4trade.com
info@contracts4trade.com

Kinsellafinancial

Are you an IFA with an interest in property, if so I would love to have a chat with you.

Tony

I don't purchase abroad so would be wrong for me to comment. There are always way's to make money in the UK and prefer to have my investments close by - well a bus, train or car ride away

Generally, the market will go into cycle, and market corrections will happen no matter how strong the economy. IMHO, the market will continue have downward momentum this year, however, the most imprtant factor is always LOCATION.