UK Landlord Forum / Life

Good Evening,

I am a new prospective landlord considering buy-to-let investments.  I am currently evaluating the best criteria for purchase. Initially, I focused on the rent-to-price ratio (yield) as my primary strategy. However, due to high interest rates, this approach does not appear very profitable.

Consequently, I am now considering investing in areas with upcoming developments, excluding social/low-income housing projects, as research suggests that developments generally increase property values.

I would like to ask experienced landlords to what extent developments influence their investment decisions. Do you frequently purchase properties in areas with ongoing or planned developments?

Additionally, how do you stay informed about these developments? Is there a specific website or app you use? So far, I have found that monitoring council websites is the only method.

Many Thanks in advance.

This amount of research, which I'd call over-thinking, indicates (to me) that it's a project you might never actually start.

The variances are theoretical. Get a solid property that doesn't require much more than a bit of TLC to get up-and-running. Check the obvious stuff, like the roof, the boiler, local amenities (as they stand today), and get going. It doesn't matter if a new sports stadium is going to be built half a mile away in 2029... the chances of your Tenant being the next Linford Christie (and it mattering to them) are slim. It's a Landlord's market - currently - so you want a property with a paying Tenant. Job done. Then just be a good Landlord.

You have an assumption experienced Landlords think about things like this. I am experienced, and I don't. Stuff happens later that you never had an inkling of, some to your benefit, some to your detriment. Everyone has their own unique view on every development.

My first 3 rentals were on my doorstep. Then I started to casually look around another town  that I like 20 miles away. I was not online much then, but their local paper was full of excitement about plans to turn an old cattle market near the station into an agricultural college with student flats and some private properties. In addition the London train stopped there for workers at GEC.

I bought somewhere right in this area, and had the option to buy more. I was well pleased with my shrewdness. Well that was well over 20 years ago. I still have the  property and it has  been good on return,but the capital value has not increased greatly. GEC closed, and none of the other plans happened.The town itself is not what it was.  I don't plan much. There is a saying ( probably Chinese, they usually are ) " Man plans, God laughs."  I do find my tarot cards are reliable for big decisions.