Buying your first investment property?

Q. Can you help? I am looking to buy my first investment property and was wondering to buy to let for the student or professional market?
Mr. S Smart
 
If your money was sat in my pocket then I would be investing in a property that has a prime location suitable to both markets just in case the wind changes. The majority of student landlords in Sheffield bought into property many years ago and are now well established. Subsequently, these properties seem to gain good repeat occupancy levels. We do predict that the student market will get more competitive as corporates like Unite are moving into the city with a purpose built complex named "The Forge". Although Unites presence won't affect the higher quality established properties that much, it will hit hard the portfolio holders of scruffy, undesirable student property.

We know that some students, especially foreign students regularly rent apartments as they don't have the resource to get additional colleagues together to rent a house with shared facilities. West One is one of many city centre developments that has its share of foreign students so you may want to consider buying an apartment that you are happy to let to foreign students or professionals.

There are several landlords who market their stock on Artful Lodger. We review our site statistics daily and have seen no let up in enquiries for either student or professional rental properties, although we have witnessed more and more enquiries coming in from overseas tenants.

We hope this helps you come to the right decision.