Property Represents a Fantastic Investment in the UK’s Newest City

The but to let market has come under the microscope in recent months. But choose wisely, and it still represents a safe investment with great yields.

When the government announced changes to stamp duty on buy to let properties in April 2016, there was widespread fear that it spelt the end of the buy to let boom. When the EU referendum result was announced, everyone said the UK property market would go through the floor. Yet here we are in mid 2018, and property still represents the best show in town if you are looking for a safe investment that will generate certain returns.

Of course, it is not all roses. The property market has certainly seen a few wobbles, and prices in London have plummeted over the past 12 months. It is therefore all the more important to consider the where, as well as the what, when choosing property as an investment. And according to one mortgage broker in Chelmsford, investors just can’t get enough of Essex’s county town, which is actually no longer a town at all, having been granted city status as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012.

Entering into the buy to let mindset

Buying a property as an investment makes sense on every level, so the huge rise in private landlords should come as little surprise. The danger is that as homeowners, we can think we already know about buying a house, so we dive into it with the same mindset as when we are looking for a home for ourselves. Big mistake.

It’s one thing to pay attention to the neighbourhood and the decorative condition of the property, but your main focus needs to be on what sort of property tenants are looking for and what will generate the greatest yield.

For example, perhaps you can afford a two-bedroom semi in Great Baddow a couple of miles out of town that’s up at £250,000 and seems perfect. Sizeable garden, nice views across the countryside, good price, what could be better? Just think again, however. A two bedroom apartment in the centre of town will be far more attractive to tenants and will be in walking distance of the station. Better still, it will cost around £50,000 less and generate a superior yield.

What properties generate the best yield?

When someone is looking to rent, they have different objectives to when they buy, and these need to also enter your way of thinking. Tenants come in a variety of types, from young professionals, to low-income families who cannot afford a deposit to buy, to the “newly divorced” looking to start again. It is a case of choosing your target and buying accordingly.

The young professional market is a perfect area to look at in Chelmsford. You have the advantage of people with steady incomes who are unlikely to prove “difficult” as tenants, and there is a wealth of commuter-friendly property to choose from, including modern apartments and traditional terraced houses.

The average flat in Chelmsford costs just over £200,000 and generates a yield of around five percent, while a town-centre semi will cost around £350,000 with a yield of around 3.5 percent. Of course, most flats are lease hold and incur ground rent and management fees, so do bear this in mind.

Keep all these factors in mind, and remember to “think like a tenant” when you choose your property!

Award winning Chelmsford estate agents Balgores are handling the sale of a luxury development of barn conversions and new build properties in the highly sought after Beaulieu Park area of Chelmsford.

Situated on the Heritage site of Old Lodge Farm, the tastefully designed properties bristle with luxury touches to provide the complete home. Features such as cinema rooms in some properties, state of the art lighting controllable via wi-fi, smartphone and tablet apps, many energy saving provisions and audio systems serving the lounge, kitchen and master bedroom in all properties seem certain to generate much interest in these unique homes.

Built by Randall Watts, who have a 60 year track record of building exclusive luxury homes, the Old Lodge Court development consists of nine properties; three barn conversions and six stylish new build homes designed to blend with the surrounding architecture of a Grade 2 listed farmhouse and listed barns dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries.

While the development is gated and tucked away in an attractive and secluded location affording high levels of privacy, links to major arterial routes such as the A12 and M11 are close at hand, Stansted Airport is a mere 25 minutes by road, and Chelmsford itself is only 35 minutes by rail from London. Rail links will improve further in 2019 when Beaulieu Park Railway Station opens.

Other luxurious features include luxurious fitted kitchens, luxury bathrooms including marble tops to the units and waterproof built-in televisions, staircases finished in either black ash, walnut or oak with glass balustrades, ground floor underfloor heating, and feature radiators to blend in with the style of the property in the case of the barn conversions.

One of the properties even features a fully-featured wine storage room.

For further enquiries contact Balgores Property Group.

The Beaulieu Heath development in Chelmsford has a range of new colonial-style homes, ready to move in to by Christmas

We all know that it can be difficult to get on the property ladder. A combination of rising house prices, stricter mortgage conditions and a fast-moving housing market where demand often outstrips supply means that first time buyers can find it a struggle to secure their first home.

However, good news is on the horizon and first time property buyers could soon be celebrating Christmas in their very own home at Beaulieu Heath development. Situated in expansive parkland on the outskirts of Chelmsford in Essex, Beaulieu Heath comprises 49 new colonial style houses, which are among the first to be made available in the new Beaulieu neighbourhood.

Help to Buy

The properties range from three to five bedrooms, and the three bedroom houses in particular are proving very popular with those who are downsizing and first-time buyers. The Government’s Help to Buy scheme makes it even easier for first-time buyers to buy a property at Beaulieu Heath. The scheme offers buyers a loan of up to 20% against the cost of the property, making it possible for first-time buyers to buy a home with just a 5% deposit.

Fixtures and Fittings

The houses at Beaulieu Heath have been designed by leading architects, with exterior weatherboarding giving the properties a distinctive look. Care has also been taken with the interiors, making sure they are finished to a high specification.

All houses feature open plan living-dining rooms (perfect for Christmas entertaining), individually designed kitchens with integrated appliances, ceramic flooring in bathrooms and kitchens, and gardens to the front and rear of the property. Most houses have a single or double garage and some even benefit from private roof terraces.

Technology is also an important consideration, and all homes will have fibre optic capability – perfect for people who work from home.

Neighbourhood Amenities

New residents in Beaulieu Heath will also benefit from a neighbourhood which boasts plenty of amenities. As well as three schools planned (two primary and one secondary), the area will offer health and community amenities, retail outlets and sports facilities, to ensure a vibrant and sustainable community.

What’s more, Beaulieu is less than 3 miles from Chelmsford city centre – a lively city offering great shopping facilities and a wide array of nightlife. It’s location means that the development offers a good balance between city and country life, and families on the development will enjoy an array of open spaces including play parks, meadows, dog walking areas and a community garden – all linked by a network of foot and cycle paths.

As with any housing development, strong transport links are key, and Beaulieu doesn’t disappoint in this area. The development will be connected to the A12 via a relief road and there are plans to develop a new railway station on the East Anglian main line. Furthermore, direct rail services run from Chelmsford to central London in as little as 35 minutes.

With well-designed houses, good amenities and a location that combines the best of countryside and city living, Beaulieu Heath looks certain to attract plenty of interest amongst first time buyers and others attracted by all the development has to offer.

With exciting developments in the pipeline, the estate is also likely to have a positive impact on the wider area, and property agents in Chelmsford are likely to see a surge of interest as more buyers view the city as an attractive proposition for their next property purchase.