Robust BTL Strategy required for £1m investment in Scotland

Robust BTL Strategy required for £1m investment in Scotland

11:11 AM, 3rd December 2013, About 11 years ago 33

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Hello everyone.

I hope this finds you all well in the run up to the festive period.

My name is Andrew Hayworth. I’m new to the forum and wanted to introduce myself with a question for you all.

I am in the process of setting up a property investment vehicle, focusing on residential buy-to-lets, with initial capital c.£1m.

Target areas are Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dundee and Inverness. I know these markets and have an existing contact network of tradesmen established in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee. I also have a large family network in Inverness who can advise on location, tradesmen and the state of play re the local market and new University opening in 2015.

I currently own 3 residential buy-to-lets in Edinburgh (where I live) so have a base working knowledge of property investment. However, I am looking to identify someone who can advise on the development of a robust investment strategy for a larger portfolio and to help mitigate risk where possible.

I would also be interested to hear from any Scottish members who would be willing to open a dialogue. I’m a young businessman (27) who has benefited greatly from mentoring throughout my career to date. Whilst I have worked in property previously (3 BTL’s and a couple of refurb + sales) I feel that building a relationship with someone more experienced would be invaluable over the coming 12-months.

I should note that I’m not looking to steal too much time. Just some feedback and advice from readers or lunch once a month (on me of course) and the occasional email for questions/sense checking.

Many thanks to everyone in advance.

Have a great Christmas when it comes.

Andrewedinburgh


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Robert McPhee

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22:04 PM, 3rd December 2013, About 11 years ago

Andrew

What an exciting place to be.

I'm a retired Chartered Accountant based in Inverness with a small BTL portfolio in Inverness and Edinburgh and have also completed a number of refurbs.. I would be happy to meet up in Inverness and see if my background could be of assistance.

Mike W

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15:39 PM, 4th December 2013, About 11 years ago

Andrew many thanks for the further remarks. The issue of location is to do with focus and whether you consider an in depth knowledge of your chosen market to be important..

Taking Edinburgh as an example you would know better than I whether the mobile family market (bankers?) is better than students-non HMO or student HMO. A desirable family home will always be a desirable home. A tenement HMO will depend on local politics. The family home may have voids, the student HMO less so - if it is in a desirable location. The problem then relates to availability of property and competition. There is not much point chasing after property just for the sake of doing so. Is the student HMO in the right location? The problem with HMOs is regulation. Planning control re density? Fire sprinklers?? The problem with students is hard work. But there are ways to minimize these factors. It may be with your development background that you see HMOs as they way to go. I am just asking why and whether you understand the differences and the sub sector risks. For example what is the impact on student numbers if fees were to rise to English levels? What would happen to private demand if Unite were to build a new 1000 room student hall? Would you be aware of these factors better in Dundee or Edinburgh?

My comments are driven by my detailed knowledge of the Aberdeen market over 40 years and a limited knowledge of Edinburgh.

And finally I have recently done some research for a relative and compared my Aberdeen marker property (4 bed end of terrace house) with a 2 bed flat in SW18. Both in areas of high BTL property. In the 1990s the house/flat prices were roughly the same but the rental yields were double in Aberdeen. Today the London property is 60% higher and the rental level the same. However if you ever chose London make sure you understand leasehold law!

Paul Baldry

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14:40 PM, 7th December 2013, About 11 years ago

Andrew

I think people come back again and again to knowing your location. I have bought over 100 properties and buy for other clients properties in the Northeast and buy in Ashington (my home town) and 3 towns - lynemouth (north) newbiggin (East) and Blyth (South) so I know the streets, the people (and families to avoid!!), the council and tradesmen. I opened an estate agency in the area too as it was an extension of the property buying and I found it hard to find a lettings company that work to my standards.

I think if you want to buy in multiple areas start in 1 or 2 then after getting the teething problems sorted with that area, then move to another area and really work to know the area, the dynamics and the best properties to invest in.

Andrew H

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13:48 PM, 11th December 2013, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Allan Chalmers" at "03/12/2013 - 18:59":

Hi Alan,

Please accept my apologies for the late reply and many thanks for your note. Greatly appreciated.

Re your comment on looking at finance structure, I agree and have my account drawing up a report at the moment. However, I’m also keen to identify an investment consultancy firm that specialises in property to advise further on a robust financing strategy moving forward. If anyone can offer guidance here it would be very welcomed.

My current thoughts are a combination of interest only facilities and equity loans. However, I would like to seek professional input here and work through some forecasting scenarios before making any decisions. My thinking behind the above combination is primarily to increase rental yields and mitigate my exposure to rising interest rates.

Thanks also for your note re portfolio lending. I have noted for future ref and to factor in when forecasting.

Kind Regards,

Andrew

Andrew H

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13:49 PM, 11th December 2013, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mark Alexander" at "03/12/2013 - 19:15":

Many thanks, Mark.

All the best,

Andrew

Andrew H

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13:51 PM, 11th December 2013, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Ian Hamilton" at "03/12/2013 - 19:26":

Thanks Ian.

Although not sure this is for me.

All the best,

Andrew

Andrew H

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13:52 PM, 11th December 2013, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Scotsman " at "03/12/2013 - 22:04":

Hi Scotsman,

Please accept my apologies for the late reply and many thanks for your note. Greatly appreciated.

Mark, Can you please pass my details onto Scotsman?

Perhaps we could link up for a coffee next time I am up North or equally, if you are down in Edinburgh? On me of course.

Look forward to hearing from you. Have a good Christmas and New Year.

All the best,

Andrew

Andrew H

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13:54 PM, 11th December 2013, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mike W" at "04/12/2013 - 15:39":

Hi Mike,

Please accept my apologies for the late reply and many thanks for coming back to me. Greatly appreciated.

All of your points have given important food for thought and I will consider them closely as I move forward.

Many thanks once again for your time in providing feedback.

Kind regards and all the best over the festive period.

Andrew

Andrew H

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13:55 PM, 11th December 2013, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Paul Baldry" at "07/12/2013 - 14:40":

Hi Paul,

Many thanks for your note and apologies for the time it has taken for me to respond. I agree and have found everyone’s feedback very helpful. Edinburgh (primary) and Aberdeen (secondary) are the obvious choices for me and I plan to focus my efforts here at the outset.

All the best over the festive period and thanks once again.

Andrew

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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13:56 PM, 11th December 2013, About 11 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Andrew H" at "11/12/2013 - 13:48":

Hi Andrew

Please see this member profile >>> http://www.property118.com/member/?id=314

Their head office is in Essex but they do a LOT of work in Scotland.
.

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