Buy-to-Let Mortgage Activity Expected to Rise in 2020
As more new data highlights a pickup in the UK's housing market, a survey suggests that buy-to-let (BTL) mortgage activity is set to gain ground in 2020, with more property investors looking to expand their portfolios. Remortgaging activity is also expected to remain robust, however it appears this renewed appetite to purchase more BTL homes is driving overall positive expectations.
Landlords show more interest in HMOs
Amid fears that more Buy-To-Let (BTL) landlords are considering leaving the Private Rental Sector (PRS) in 2020, comes a new report highlighting a growing interest in investing in Homes of Multiple Occupation (HMOs). The higher potential yields that are typically available from HMO investments suggests that even if some landlords do exit the PRS, there is still the potential for a good Return on Income from the property investment and BTL industry to encourage others to enter the market or expand their portfolios.
Good news for tenants as renting costs make up smaller proportion of income
New research has some good news for the UK's army of tenants, as the cost of renting calculated as a proportion of average incomes has fallen between 2019 and 2016. Given that rents have actually been on the rise during much of that period, the findings of the research from the Deposit Protection Service, (DPS) might come as a bit of a surprise.
Should Airbnb Landlords Pay Business Rates?
City councillors in Brighton are reported as saying that Airbnb landlords should pay business rates in England. Meanwhile, in Scotland, local councils look set to be given powers to add controls to better manage the provision of short-term lets. However, there are concerns that this action could result in short-term let landlords selling their properties.
How Adding Mortgage Capabilities Could Support Growth of the Estate Agency Industry
Mortgage approvals surged in the last month of 2019 and analysis from the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association (IMLA) suggests the market is set to expand in 2020 and 2021. With this in mind, a growing number of property industry participants and experts are pointing at adding mortgage support/broker arms to estate agents, as the next way to grow business in the sector. And, it looks like a number of estate agencies are already moving towards doing just that.
Do Britons Want a Completely Digital Home-Buying and Selling process?
As the UK's property tech industry continues to grow, new concepts and ideas that are sometimes already at play in other industries, can take shape. For the estate agency industry, Coadjute wants to introduce a completely, end-to-end digital system for the home buying and selling process in the UK.