DESPITE rising house prices, higher mortgages and softer rents, property investment can still stack up if you know where to look.

And with the stock market having its worst week in three years more and more people are deciding that having some of their pension in bricks and mortar is the smart move.

Stuart Law, of property specialists Assetz, said: "We are buying more now than we have ever done before. In fact, we have done more business already this year than in the whole of last year."

And he says the market operates like any other with wholesale and retail prices on the same product. "The key to solid investment is making sure you get the discounted wholesale price which generally is only available to someone buying 20 or more units."

And he revealed that with many developers coming up to their year end there are "some very, very interesting opportunities" in the market for people looking to invest in property. Assetz is one of the many expert companies who will be passing on their advice and investment opportunities at the Property Investor and Homebuyer Show North at G-Mex from June 2 to 4 and Law says that the northern areas are where the savvy investors are buying. He said: "In these areas, often on the fringe of city centres, there are some very good deals which still stack up."

Balance

A two-bed apartment in Ancoats, for example, will cost around é150,000. With mortgage interest payments on an 80 per cent mortgage around é550 it needs to be renting at é675 a month to cover costs and voids. Law said: "Most people realise that you have to view property as a 10-year investment, and you need to balance income-generating property with stuff that will have long-term capital growth.

"It is much more of an art than a lot of people realise, but, as in many cases, it is a case of talking to the right people to make sure you get the right deal."

Developers Bellway will be highlighting some of their best deals for property investment at the show including big two bedroom /two bathroom apartments at their Bishops Corner scheme, in Hulme, which have amazing views over the city. And because they are five minutes from the centre they are more affordable - é146,995 including a secure parking space.

Nick Clark, MD of the show, said: "If people are considering investing in property, either for a rental income to boost their retirement or for long-term capital gain, we have experts at the show who can guide them in the right direction and talk them through the best possible deals available."

Next week's Manchester Evening News issue of Homes will carry a special supplement detailing all the free seminars and events across the three days of the show.

More information at the website below.

Tweet