While there’s no doubt that the property market is facing immediate challenges as a result of the lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, what does the future hold? Our mortgage expert, Chris Spurgeon, shares his thoughts on what the buy-to-let landscape might look like towards the end of the year.
This article does not constitute advice. Professional advice should be taken prior to acting on any part of it. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other debt secured on it.
As there’s no real clear ending in sight for the government’s socially distancing mandates, it’s hard to predict how the market will perform or guess when we’ll be able to start recovering in earnest. However, we’ve monitored the market and trends and share what we might expect to see over the coming months and some ways you can prepare.
Consult the professionals
Ensure you have a mortgage broker that knows the buy-to-let (BTL) industry and how to close a deal. Better yet, choose someone who specialises in the healthcare industries because they’re aware of all the challenges you might face.
Make sure you have a responsive conveyancer with a track record for executing property deals.
Cash continues to be king
If you’ll require a mortgage, just be aware that you’ll likely face a 60% LTV as we expect to see mortgage lenders be quite conservative post-COVID 19. This seems to the new normal at the moment and will likely continue until recovery is in full swing.
As banks might be tied up with surveyance once restrictions are fully lifted, cash buyers will be very attractive to sellers. A broker will know the most up to date offers from a range of providers that will suit those planning to borrow, so working with one will help you find the right property and mortgage deal.
Prepare to be agile
If you had your heart set on buying a property, and quickly, the smarter option will be to look for a tenanted property instead of a vacant one so you can hit the ground running. Be open to the opportunities that present themselves once the market opens up. The outlook for the rental market is expected to look good.
To give yourself the best chance in the BTL market, focus on what will still be in demand: quality, regional portfolios, and apartment blocks, especially those with several years of history of tenancy.
Rental demand expected to be high
Many factors point to the demand for renting to stay high, and some argue even higher than before. As many people might have needed to tap into their savings during the outbreak, they will likely now focus on replenishing their safety net.
Stay positive about profit expectations
As rental rates are normally locked down for at least 12 months, they tend to be less volatile than house prices. It’s possible that property values will fall and your rental yield would increase as a result.
Despite dipping right now, we expect house prices to bounce back as they did post credit crunch. Once the pandemic passes, motivated sellers might create some exciting opportunities for buyers who want to get going quickly.
Work with a mortgage expert who understands healthcare professionals
If you want to ensure you’re prepared to make the most of the market, get in touch with a specialist mortgage broker who can not only advise and guide you through the process but who also has the experience and established relationships with the lenders to help you.
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Dental & Medical Financial Services have been helping doctors and dentists with finding low-cost mortgages for your home and investment properties for over 25 years. Call Chris to discuss your options.
Tel: 01403 780 770