When it comes to investing, property is often seen as a sound option. It can provide you with a regular income through rent, and the potential for capital growth is high if you get in at the right time. So how do you go about building a property portfolio? And how can you guarantee that you keep making profits in a notoriously volatile market?
In this article, we’ll walk you through the process step-by-step and teach you how to make smart investment decisions that will pay off in the long run. So whether you’re just starting out or are already experienced in the world of property investment, read on for all the advice you need!
Identify Your Goals
The first step to building a successful property portfolio is to know what you want to achieve with it. Are you looking for long-term capital growth? Or are you aiming to generate a regular income through rental properties?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, and the right strategy for you will depend on your unique goals and circumstances. Once you know what you want to achieve, you can start to put together a plan of action.
Work Out Your Investment Strategy
The next step is to work out your investment strategy. This will involve looking at things like how much money you have to invest, your risk tolerance, and your time frame.
If you’re just starting out, you may want to consider investing in a property that is already tenanted. This will give you a ready-made income from day one. If you’re more interested in capital growth, then you might want to look at properties that need some work doing to them. These can be bought at a lower price and then sold for a profit once the renovations have been completed.
The right strategy for someone else may not be the right one for you, so it’s important to do your own research and figure out what will work best for your goals.
Organise Your Initial Budget
Once you know how much money you have to invest, you need to start looking at the different ways to finance your property purchases. The most common options are taking out a loan, using equity, or entering into a joint venture.
Each of these has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you’ll need to weigh up the pros and cons before making a decision. Here is some important information you need to know about each option:
Loans – You will need to put down a deposit, and you will be responsible for repaying the loan plus interest. The advantage of this option is that you can leverage other people’s money to finance your investments. However, the downside is that you will be taking on debt, which can be a risky proposition.
Equity – If you have equity in another property, you can use this to buy additional properties. The advantage of this is that you won’t need to take out a loan and you’ll only be using your own money. You need to keep in mind, however, that you will be tying up your equity in the property, which could limit your ability to access it in the future.
Joint Ventures – A joint venture is when two or more people come together to buy a property. This can be a great way to pool resources and spread the risk. The downside is that you will need to find someone you can trust and who is also interested in the same investment strategy as you are.
Weigh Up the Risks
While there are potentially huge benefits, investing in property is not without its risks. The most common risk is that the value of the property could fall, leaving you out of pocket.
Another risk to consider is that the rental property could be damaged or vandalised, which would impact your ability to generate an income from it. There is also the possibility that the tenant could default on their rental payments which can be expensive and time-consuming to resolve in court.
You may also find that the property needs more repairs and maintenance than you initially thought which can eat into your profits and even end up with you losing money.
Identify the Right Market
When you’re looking at different markets to invest in, there are a few key things you need to consider.
The first is house prices. Different areas in the UK have very different price points, so you need to make sure you’re looking at areas that are in your budget. The second is up and coming areas.
It’s also important to look at up and coming areas, as these are more likely to see capital growth in the future. Look out for areas that are due to receive infrastructure investment, such as new schools or hospitals.
The third is local amenities. Look for areas that have good transport links and a variety of shops and restaurants. This will make the property more attractive to potential tenants.
Finally, you need to consider the rent or resale potential of the property. If you’re planning on holding the property for the long term, then you need to make sure there is enough demand from tenants to cover your mortgage payments.
Time Your Purchases Right
The timing of your purchase is also important. You need to make sure you’re buying at a time when the market is favourable.
This means avoiding times when there is high demand and prices are inflated, such as during a housing boom. It’s also important to avoid times when the market is depressed, as this could mean you end up paying too much for the property.
The best time to buy is when there is a lull in the market. This means prices are more realistic and there is less competition from other buyers.
One way to judge the best time to buy a property is to use the 18-year property cycle as a guideline. This is the theory that the UK property market goes through a cycle of ups and downs every 18 years.
The cycle is made up of four phases:
Expansion (boom)
Contraction (bust)
Recovery
Stabilisation
The expansion phase is when the market is growing and prices are rising. This is usually followed by the contraction phase when the market slows down and prices start to fall.
The recovery phase is when the market starts to grow again and prices begin to rise. This is followed by the stabilisation phase when the market stabilises at a new level.
It is important to remember that the 18-year cycle is not an exact science. While many property investors have used it to great effect, there will always be times when the market doesn’t follow this pattern.
Don’t Overpay
When you’re buying a property, it’s important to make sure you don’t overpay. This can eat into your profits and even put you at risk of making a loss.
There are a few things you can do to make sure you don’t overpay. The first is to research the market carefully. Look at recent sales in the area and compare them to similar properties. This will give you an idea of what the property is worth. You should also get a surveyor to value the property before you make an offer.
The second is to make sure you don’t get emotional about the property. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying a property and this can lead you to pay more than you should. Remember that you are not buying a dream home for your family, you are buying an investment property.
The third is to be prepared to walk away from the deal if you think you’re being asked to pay too much. There will always be other properties on the market, so don’t be afraid to walk away from a bad deal. Remember that the asking price is not set in stone. You can always negotiate a lower price if you think the property is overpriced.
Consider Renovation and Flipping
If you’re looking to make a quick profit, then consider renovating and flipping properties. This involves buying a property that needs some work, doing the renovations yourself, and then selling it for a higher price.
The key to success with this strategy is to make sure you don’t overspend on the renovations. It’s easy to get carried away when you’re renovating a property, but if you spend too much then you’ll eat into your profits.
Another thing to consider is the market. You need to make sure there is enough demand for the property you’re planning to renovate. Otherwise, you could end up sitting on the property for months or even years before it sells.
Diversify Your Portfolio
Once you’ve built up a portfolio of properties, it’s important to diversify your investments. This means not putting all your eggs in one basket so that you can weather any storms that come your way.
There are a few different ways you can diversify your portfolio. The first is to invest in different types of property. This could include residential, commercial, and industrial properties.
The second is to invest in different areas. This will help to spread the risk as not all markets will be doing well at the same time.
The third is to invest in different types of investments. This could include buy-to-let properties, holiday homes, and even development projects.
Establish Positive Cash Flow
One of the most important things to consider when building a property portfolio is establishing positive cash flow. This means that your rental income should be greater than your outgoings.
There are a few things you can do to make sure you have positive cash flow. The first is to make sure you don’t overspend on your properties. It’s important to stick to your budget and only buy properties that you can afford.
The second is to make sure you are charging enough rent to cover your mortgage payments, property taxes, and other outgoings. If a tenant is not willing or not able to pay what you think the house is worth, that doesn’t mean you need to drop your prices. Instead, look for a different tenant who is willing to pay the right price.
The third is to make sure you have a good property management company in place. They will be responsible for collecting rent, paying bills, and dealing with any maintenance issues. This will free up your time so that you can focus on growing your portfolio.
Finally, you need to make sure you have a contingency fund to cover any unexpected expenses. This could include things like repairs or void periods when you don’t have a tenant in the house. Many property investors fail because they don’t have these safeguards in place.
Look Abroad for Potential Investment Opportunities
When most people think of investing in property, they think of buying a house in their local area. However, there are plenty of opportunities to invest abroad.
The key to success when investing abroad is to do your research. You need to make sure you’re investing in a country with a stable economy and political situation. You also need to be aware of the currency risks involved.
Another thing to consider is the language barrier. This is why it’s important to work with a local agent who can help you navigate the process.
Finally, you need to make sure you have enough money to cover the costs of buying and maintaining a property abroad. This includes things like stamp duty, legal fees, and currency conversion charges.
Final Thoughts
It can take years of experience to learn how to build a property portfolio and maximise its profitability but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible for beginners. By following the tips in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to investing in property that can make you some serious returns. Just remember to do your research, stick to your budget, and diversify your investments so that you can minimise the risks involved.
