THE QUESTION

I've had three very different opinions from three brokers on a First-Time-Buyer-First-Time-Landlord BTL mortgage.  I've got JV experience (through a Ltd Company), I don't have a mortgaged property (I rent at present), I’m recently divorced and have a smallish cash pot.

I can't afford to buy where I live, but this is where my kids go to school, so I want to stay...

The devil is in the detail

When I meet people who are thinking about getting into property it’s not unusual for them to come up with a list of reasons why they haven’t got started yet.  Some of these are excuses, but some are simply the result of listening to people who only have some of the information.

Even people who have been in the property business for many years believe...

A property career often starts as a way to supplement your full-time income, these days known as a ‘side hustle’ or ‘the 5-9 job’. 

Some people keep it that way, finding a couple of properties and letting an agency manage them, so the rental income pays for holidays and the occasional new car.

Some start off with that intention and then get bitten by the property...

THE QUESTION

I am about to view a two-bed apartment, which has a low asking price and an impressive yield.  What are the pitfalls to watch out for?  Is it hard to raise finance for this kind of purchase as a buy-to-let (BTL)?

This is one of a row of flats that are above commercial properties, mostly shops (this on is actually above a kebab shop).  There is pub next door....

When you’re ambitious about your property career, but your bank balance isn’t quite ready to start buying properties, it can be frustrating.  You want to get started, but saving that all-important deposit to get started is holding you back. 

After all, there’s only so much money you can put away each month - and if you’re in a job with a family to look after,...

THE QUESTION

If you own a property that was mortgaged and not owned outright, could you still put that as security for a bridging loan?

THE ANSWER

This is a good question and a good opportunity to examine what I teach on the Ninja Investor Programme. The answer is ‘yes’, but let me explain more.

An unencumbered property is highly advantageous if liquid cash is not available or is...

When you’re starting out on the journey to become a landlord, houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) can appear to be a goldmine. Everyone knows that when a four-bed semi becomes an HMO, the rental income is likely to be much higher than it would be when you let it as a house-share or a family home.

So what’s to stop you simply charging four separate tenants per room?

There are...

THE QUESTION

Property can be so stressful and emotional sometimes. One of my investors has pulled out for personal reasons and the vendor wants to complete early next week. It’s a good deal, but it looks like I’ll lose my deposit - any ideas?

THE ANSWER

When you enter the game of playing with private investors, you have to take on the chin that you are dealing with individuals who...

Most property investors rely on mortgages to purchase properties.  Bridging as a means of financing a purchase tends to be treated with suspicion; it’s unknown territory.

The problem is that most people take their knowledge of mortgages and apply it to bridging and that’s where disaster lurks!  Here are five core facts about bridging.

1. Interest rates

With a mortgage, the...