s what Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are and clarifies the rules surrounding the legislation, before assessing just how important an EPC is to homebuyers and landlords.
An explanation of what downsizing means is followed by an investigation of the pros and cons. Options for taking equity out of a home without selling are then assessed, along with an examination of downsizing in retirement and the market forecast for downsizing.
Making money quickly from buying and selling property looks attractive, but a host of pitfalls lie in wait for the unwary. In this article, we cover the 10 key points to know about buying and `flipping’ a property to turn a profit, following an introductory overview of the market and an explanation of the tax position.
Buy to Let is still regarded as a sound investment, providing that the basic principles of buying the right property for the right price and in the right place are followed. The right place at present appears to be in the North where landlords are achieving up to 10% yields in some major cities.
The rental yields from accommodation let to students can be attractive, but there is a wide variance in the figures that can be achieved in different university towns and cities. Smaller centres are currently achieving the highest rental yields, i.e., the percentage return a landlord can make back on the purchase price each year before tax, mortgage payments and other costs are considered. A total of seven of the top 10 locations for return on investment are in towns or cities with one university and some have less than 25,000 students.
Shared Ownership is a government scheme designed to help more people get onto the housing ladder in the face of spiralling house prices. It operates on a part rent, part purchase basis: the participating homeowner owns a share of a house and rents the remainder, receiving an assured tenancy for the length of the lease. Homeowners have the option to buy some or all of the remaining share in the future, however, the price of this will vary according to the market value. The homeowner pays rent to the landlord, which may be a housing association, local authority or private developer, on the share that is not owned as well as mortgage repayments, a service charge and ground rent.
By Keith Robinson 
By Gill Broad 
By Martha Lott 
