THE number of second homes in the UK is set to double over the next decade, according to the latest figures, as people continue to invest in property as a back-up to their pension.

According to agents Savills, 350,000 people already have a second home in the UK, either a city pad or rural retreat, and if this trend continues numbers will top 700,000 by 2016 with another 200,000 owning at least one property abroad.

Most owners combine using the properties themselves with renting out during high peak summer months to help cover mortgage and running costs and keep an eye on long-term capital appreciation.

If you listen to Christopher Hall at the National Association of Estate Agents, you should be ringing agents immediately because he believes that property prices will double in the next 10-15 years as increased demand is not met by a similar increase in supply.

That would need house prices to increase at around 7.2 per cent a year, not unfeasible when you consider that the average house price inflation over the last 30 years has been 9.7 per cent.

The key criteria is where to invest and it all depends on what you want out of your second property.

Expert advice on locations, finance, tax implications, developments and long term potential will be available to everyone next month at the Property Investor and Homebuyer Show North at Manchester's G-Mex.

It gives you the chance to compare city centre schemes in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Newcastle as well as developments further afield.

There will also be seminars on topics many property clubs charge thousands of pounds to tell you about such as what to look for when being off-plan, ways to buy property for less than it is worth and unearthing the hot spots abroad.

It is aimed at first-time buyers as well as seasoned investors and gives you the chance to ask a host of questions and pick up information without any pressure.

The show is being held from June 2nd to 4th and for more information log on to the website listed below. Tweet