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July 25, 2023

10 Compelling Reasons to Hire a Property Specialist in the UK

buying a propertyIn the fast-paced world of real estate, navigating the complexities of property transactions can be daunting. Whether you are a first-time buyer, a seasoned investor, or a landlord, enlisting the services of a property specialist can be an invaluable asset.

These professionals, such as CrowdProperty, possess a wealth of knowledge and expertise, allowing them to guide you through every step of the process and help you make informed decisions. In this blog post, we will explore ten compelling reasons why hiring a property specialist in the UK is a wise investment.

Expert Guidance and Support

When it comes to property transactions, having a knowledgeable and experienced guide by your side can make all the difference. Property specialists understand the UK property market in-depth, including local regulations, trends, and pricing.

They can provide valuable insights, helping you make informed decisions based on your needs and goals. Whether you are buying, selling, or renting, their expertise can streamline the process and ensure you achieve the best possible outcome.

Access to Exclusive Listings

One of the significant advantages of hiring a property specialist is gaining access to a wide range of exclusive listings that may not be publicly available. These professionals often have access to a network of contacts, including property developers, estate agents, and other industry insiders.

Working with a property specialist increases your chances of finding the perfect property that meets your requirements, even before it hits the market. This access can give you a competitive edge and help you secure desirable properties in a highly competitive market.

Negotiation Skills

Negotiating the best deal requires a delicate balance of market knowledge, persuasive skills, and confidence. Property specialists are well-versed in the art of negotiation and can act as your advocate during price discussions, contract terms, and other crucial aspects of the transaction.

With their expertise, they can help you achieve favorable outcomes while ensuring that your interests are protected. Their objective perspective can be especially valuable, preventing you from making impulsive decisions or overpaying for a property.

Time-Saving

Searching for a property, arranging viewings, conducting research, and handling paperwork can be time-consuming and overwhelming. By hiring a property specialist, you can delegate these tasks to a professional, freeing up your time to focus on other important matters.

Property specialists have the resources and systems to efficiently manage the entire process, saving you from the stress and hassle associated with property transactions.

Market Insights and Trends

Staying up to date with the ever-changing property market is a daunting task for anyone not involved in the industry daily. Property specialists have their finger on the market’s pulse and can provide valuable insights and trends.

They can analyze data, interpret market indicators, and help you understand your property transaction’s potential risks and opportunities. Their knowledge can empower you to make informed decisions that align with your financial goals.

Access to Professional Networks

Property specialists have established professional networks that can benefit you during various stages of a property transaction. They can connect you with trusted mortgage brokers, conveyancers, surveyors, and other professionals required throughout the process.

These connections can save you time and effort in finding reliable service providers. Moreover, property specialists often have a good rapport with local authorities, enabling them to navigate potential bureaucratic hurdles and ensure a smooth transaction.

Proper Valuation

Determining the accurate value of a property is crucial when buying or selling real estate. Property specialists have the knowledge and expertise to conduct comprehensive property valuations, considering location, market demand, condition, and recent sales.

Their professional appraisal can help you avoid overpaying or undervaluing a property, ensuring that you make informed decisions based on market realities. With a property specialist’s assistance, you can confidently negotiate, knowing the actual value of the property in question.

Legal Compliance and Documentation

Property transactions involve a multitude of legal requirements and documentation. Navigating the legal landscape can be complex, from contracts and title deeds to compliance with local regulations.

Property specialists are well-versed in these legalities and can guide you through the process, ensuring that all necessary documents are in order and deadlines are met. Their attention to detail minimizes the risk of errors or oversights that could lead to legal complications in the future.

Tailored Property Search

Each individual or investor has unique requirements and preferences when it comes to property. A property specialist takes the time to understand your specific needs, budget, and long-term goals.

With this information, they can narrow down the options and present you with a tailored selection of properties that align with your criteria. This personalized approach saves you from wasting time on properties that do not meet your requirements, allowing you to focus on the most promising options.

Peace of Mind

One of the most compelling reasons to hire a property specialist is the peace of mind it offers. Property transactions can be stressful, and having a professional handle the intricacies can alleviate much of that burden.

From the initial search to the final closing, a property specialist ensures your interests are protected, mitigates potential risks, and provides expert advice at every step. This peace of mind allows you to navigate the property market and make informed decisions confidently.

Conclusion

Hiring a property specialist in the UK provides numerous advantages, from expert guidance and access to exclusive listings to time-saving and peace of mind. These professionals deeply understand the property market and negotiation skills to secure the best deal for you. By leveraging their knowledge, connections, and expertise, you can confidently navigate the complexities of property transactions. Whether you are a first-time buyer, a seasoned investor, or a landlord, enlisting the services of a property specialist is a wise investment that can save you time, money, and stress while maximizing your chances of success in the real estate market.

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July 2, 2022

Step-By-Step Guide to Buying Your First Income Property

buy your propertyAre you a renter looking to transition to the role of a landlord? Do you think you have what it takes to keep up with rent collection, home inspections, and tenant complaints? This step-by-step guide to buying your first-income property can help you better navigate the task of being a property owner.

Is Rental Property the Right Investment for You?

Although owning rental properties is one of the most stable forms of investment, it isn’t for everyone, or at least not right away. Thus, it would be best if you didn’t dive into the industry simply because everyone else is doing it. Real estate is a capital-intensive venture you should only embark on based on your state of mind, finances, and risk aversion.

Real estate is right for you if:

  • You’re ready to be a landlord
  • You don’t mind investing long-term
  • You value stability

Real estate isn’t right for you if:

  • You want to get rich quick
  • You need liquidity
  • You’re not ready to deal with tenants

5 Steps to Buying Your First Rental Property

1. Do Your Research

Research is essential for any business owner to thrive. You must be ready to do your homework and find out what you need to succeed as a property owner, especially if you’re buying your first one. While there are some things you’ll have to learn on the job, going in with an idea can help you navigate hurdles better. You should compile a list of questions to research on the internet or ask experienced real estate professionals. For example, would you like to invest in a single-family unit or a condo? How does that rental property perform in your chosen location? Also, it would help to decide whether you’ll manage the property yourself or hire a qualified property manager to handle your rental investment property.

2. Get Your Finances in Order

As we highlighted earlier, real estate is a capital-intensive venture, so you must prepare aptly. If you have personal debt, you might want to consider paying those off first. Too much debt can make getting a loan with reasonable rates harder. Besides, it might be hard for you to keep up with monthly mortgage payments. At this stage, you should start evaluating your financing options. A bank loan might not be the best solution for everyone. If you’re a good negotiator, you may consider seller financing. Of course, you can pay cash upfront if you have enough to spare.

3. Find the Right Property

Your first rental property can make or sink your portfolio. Hence, you must find the right one. The key word during your search is location. Prime location often translates to higher income for the property owners. Thus, it would be best if you were looking for things that attract renters. As a tenant, what informed your decision of where to live? Was it close to your office, good schools, and the city? Remember that people are willing to pay more for neighborhoods with an excellent walkability score. Gyms, laundromats, supermarkets, and bus terminals can contribute to your walkability score. The more errands people can complete on foot from your rental, the better.

4. Estimate Your Expenses

Before committing to any rental property, you should estimate your expenses. One of first-time property owners’ most common mistakes is underestimating their rental costs and undercharging tenants. You need to take a holistic approach when calculating your operating costs. Most landlords will account for repairs, utilities, staff salaries, loan mortgage, and property taxes. However, it’s easy to ignore travel expenses, employee gifts, and HOA fees. With these expenses in mind, you can create an accurate budget and ensure your cash flow remains positive. Also, it can help you take advantage of tax deductions.

5. Know Your Landlord’s Duties

As a tenant, you might think your landlord has it easy. After all, they only remind you when it’s time to pay rent and come around occasionally to make repairs. However, being a landlord is an active job and managing a rental property requires a lot of attention. Besides the apparent roles of collecting rent and making repairs, you need to schedule maintenance and pay utilities. When your units are vacant, you have to put out ads, screen tenants, and sign a valid lease. Also, you need to be aware of state laws regarding habitability, security deposits, and much more. With so many responsibilities, you should consider leaning on the help of other real estate experts.

Conclusion

That’s our step-by-step guide to buying your first income property. Moving from tenant to landlord is a big transition, and we hope this article clarifies what you need to do. However, before taking these five steps, you should consider if real estate is right for you. Remember that your first rental property will set the pace for the rest of your business. Thus, it would help to rely on an expert property manager when you need it.

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October 1, 2019

Here Are Three Things to Consider Before Investing In a Rental Property

property rental businessA rental property can provide you with a steady stream of income each month and allow you to invest in something that might later go up in value, too. While buying a rental property is an appealing way to invest, you should be aware of the potential costs and the work required once you have a tenant in place. With that in mind, consider your costs, potential income, and the amount of work you’re willing to put into property management before you take the plunge and invest.

Will You Make Any Money?

When you purchase a rental property, you have some built-in costs—the mortgage, taxes, property management costs, and more. When these are accounted for, can you charge a reasonable rent and still make money?

This point matters most to those who need a functional, operational rental and monthly income to cover the cost of the investment. If you are buying a property simply to enjoy an increase in value over time, you may not be as concerned about monthly income.

If you need money to pay the bills, though, then you should determine what the proposed rental will cost you annually (with a cushion). You will then need to charge tenants to break even, or better yet, earn a profit.

A look at your local real estate market should give you a good idea of what the home or property you are considering rents for. If it is already a rented property, then the owner should be able to provide you with concrete details about income and costs.

How Will You Buy the Property?

If you are buying a single property home for investment purposes, a conventional mortgage can be used, but if you are investing in a multi-family property, you’ll need a commercial loan. Commercial loans work differently than regular mortgages, so you’ll need to understand how they work and know what to expect from the process.

You should determine what amount you’ll need to put down and how much the home will cost you each month—you’ll need these figures to determine if the rental ROI will be where you need it to be, too. If the mortgage and property costs are going to have too much of an impact on your budget, it may be better to wait until you save up some additional funds to serve as a cushion, just in case a tenant fails to pay or an extensive repair is needed.

Do You Want to Be a Property Manager?

Investing in property is just the start; to generate cash, your rental will need to have some tenants. You need to decide if the everyday tasks associated with owning a rental unit are right for you. It’s okay if they are not—you can hire a dedicated property manager—but you should be aware that any rental property that has tenants will need an investment of time and money. Here are two basic options:

DIY: When you take this approach, you handle the work of finding and retaining tenants yourself; you are also responsible for repairs, maintenance, and other issues. When a toilet overflows in the middle of the night, when the tenant in 2A can’t get along with 2B, or when a rental home is unexpectedly vacated, you’ll be the one to take the phone call and clean up the mess.

Hire a Manager: A business or individual can manage the property for you and field those late-night phone calls. They can also help find qualified tenants, fix what goes wrong, and serve as an intermediary between you and your tenants. Property managers do cost money, but they free up your time and allow you to focus on your own life and investments.

You’ll need to determine which management approach works best for you before you invest in a rental property.

Learning more about the potential risks and considerations of buying a rental property can help you make the best possible investment and ensure you get the ROI you need from your purchase.

Author Bio Patrick Freeze

Patrick Freeze is the President of Bay Management Group, which manages about 4,000 units in the Mid-Atlantic Region. The company is overseeing more than $700 million worth of real estate as of October 1st, 2018.

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August 7, 2019

Who Gets My Money If I Don’t Have The Will

property moneyDo you know what would happen to your money, property and possessions if you died without making a will? For most of us, writing will content isn’t high on our list of priorities. But if you knew what could happen when you die without making a will, you would realise that it could be one of the most important things you ever do.

Dying without leaving a will – which is known as dying intestate – has some very serious consequences, which all too often, people are unaware of. The intestacy laws which exist in the UK determine what happens to a person’s estate when they die intestate. These are strict rules which dictate who may inherit from a person in the absence of a will. And they may not operate in quite the way you assume they would.

The rules on who can inherit from you if you die without leaving a will, all depend on your marital status. What applies to a single person, doesn’t apply to a married person, and doesn’t also apply to those who are in a relationship, but not married. The following is what happens to your estate when you die without a will:

Some things you should know about intestacy

When you die without leaving a will behind, the only thing you can be guaranteed is that the laws of intestacy take effect. Intestacy just means you died without making a will.

Under the rules of intestacy, it is usually only a spouse who can inherit from you. If you do not have a spouse at the time of your death, then children, parents, siblings and a few other relatives are entitled to your money but the order in which they inherit is strictly determined by law, and is laid out below. If no surviving relatives can be found, including distant relatives, the government takes possession of your estate.

Whilst under the laws of intestacy your property might be shared to your relatives, it might not be in the way you would have done it, or to relatives you would not have chosen. It’s important to understand how the law would divide up your estate if you were to die without making a will. It is also especially important to understand how dying intestate affects a surviving partner if you are in a relationship, but not married.

Here are some of the most common scenarios:

INTESTACY AS A SINGLE, UNMARRIED PERSON

If you are unmarried and have no children, your money is automatically given to your parents, if they survive you, along with all of your property. In cases where both of your parents are no longer alive at the time of your death, your siblings are next in line to receive the proceeds of your estate. This also includes any half-siblings.

The money or property will be divided among them in equal parts, no matter how many beneficiaries there are. If you are not survived by parents, siblings or children of your siblings, then your mother’s closest relatives get half of the money or property, while the closest surviving relatives from your father’s side get the other half.

The last condition to this is that if you die and are survived by children, then the entirety of your money and estate goes to your children. All will have an equal share of your money and property. If they are no longer alive, then your inheritance would be passed to any surviving children that they had (your grandchildren). If you had two or more children, and one dies before you, and that child has a child or children, then the children of your child, as well as your other surviving children get the money, divided equally between them.

INTESTACY AS A MARRIED PERSON

Married partners or civil partners inherit everything you leave under the rules of intestacy, if your estate is worth up to £250,000. Note however that this only applies if you were actually married or in a civil partnership at the time of death. That means that divorced ex-partners have no rights to inherit from you under the rules of intestacy.

If however, there are surviving children and your estate is valued at more than £250,000, then your spouse or civil partner will inherit the first £250,000 of your estate, and all of your personal property and possessions, and half of the value of the remaining estate. The other half of your remaining estate after the first £250,000 has been taken out, goes to your children, divided equally between them.

INTESTACY FOR AN UNMARRIED PERSON IN A RELATIONSHIP

Most of the laws of intestacy have no provision for those who are unmarried, no matter how long they have been together, and no matter whether they have children together or not.

It should be noted however, that in the case of jointly-owned property, if both partners owned property or a bank account together then the remaining partner would automatically become the sole owner of the home or money that was previously jointly owned.

Despite this, it can be particularly distressing and heartbreaking for grieving partners to discover that they have no share or access to their partner’s money or possessions, when it is too late to do anything about it.

Writing a will is the easiest way to prevent this circumstance from occurring. Writing a will allows you to name whoever you like to inherit from you and ensure that your loved ones are taken care of after your death in the way you would like.

The importance of having a will cannot be understated. It allows you to take control of your estate and ensure that those you most wish to benefit from your estate after your death will be able to do so, without having to fight for it in the courts. Making a will is easy and needn’t cost a lot of money. Seek advice from a solicitor or professional will writing service if you don’t feel confident drafting your own will, as they are the experts when it comes to ensuring your final wishes become legally binding.

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June 25, 2019

Three common errors first-time investors should avoid

investment timeAre you planning to make your first investment? If so, there are several things you need to consider to ensure that your venture is successful. As a first-time investor, you may face obstacles along the way, although these can easily be avoided if you stick to these guidelines.

Using capital you cannot afford

One of the biggest mistakes many first-time investors make is taking the approach of ‘go big or go home’, resulting in a significant investment that can bring with it financial difficulty. This is because they do not take all of their outgoings into account, as not only is a larger property more expensive, but it is also much more costly to manage.

The best advice for first timers is to start small with an apartment, or at least invest in a property you can afford. So, before choosing the property, you should consider every outgoing, including your purchase price, property management fees, renovation costs and more. You can then compare to this to your potential returns, which includes rental income and capital appreciation. This will allow you to work out your estimated net yield. First, take your expected annual income and minus your outgoings. You must then divide this calculation by the property price and multiply it by 100. This will help you establish whether your investment is worthwhile, or if your profits are not sufficient, you should look at properties elsewhere.

Lack of diversity

Once you’ve invested in your first successful property, you will most likely get the investment bug and want to expand your portfolio. This is when big mistakes are made, as many investors believe that because their first property was successful, they should invest in something similar. However, just because the first investment worked out well does not mean the same will happen for your second purchase. Instead, you should try your best to diversify, for example, if you invested in a semi-detached home the first time, why not consider purchasing an apartment next? This will cater to a completely different tenant market, and could even offer you even better returns.

To help you invest successfully, you should seek advice from property experts like RW Invest, who help their clients to diversify with their luxury apartments and off-plan developments, enabling an impressive portfolio. This allows investors to reduce their risk, especially if one type of property faces a decline, as they can fall back on their other investments and still reap lucrative returns.

Making impatient decisions

Whether you’re investing for the first time or the tenth, it is important to be patient and choose a property carefully. This avoids the issue of loss, especially with first-time investors who tend to go full-steam-ahead into an investment that they haven’t had the time to research.

Investors should remember to take the slow and steady route, especially in the beginning when you’re still getting to grips with the property market. Taking time to decide will also be more beneficial in the long-run, as being picky will allow you to benefit from both short-term and long-term financial advantages.

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