Buy-to-let 'remains buoyant'

Brokers working on behalf of buy-to-let investors are predicting that eight out of ten landlords will make positive returns this year.

That comes despite the threat of a housing slowdown coupled with difficulties facing the mortgage market, illustrating the degree to which rented properties retain their appeal in the capital.

Having risen some 227 per in a decade, house prices have finally begun cooling off - and the ongoing credit crunch has left the majority mortgage lenders tightening their reins when it comes to approving loans.

But in spite of these difficulties Alliance & Leicester (A&L) Mortgages is still predicting that 80 per cent of buy-to-let investors will make a positive return this year, while more than a third will make an operating profit.

"The buy-to-let market will continue to be a significant part of the overall housing market for investors and broker sentiment indicates that buy-to-let will continue to deliver in 2008," said Mark Blackwell, A&L director of intermediary sales.

Birmingham Midshires recently reported that average total returns for buy-to-let investors hit 16.3 per cent in 2007.

Published 18th February, 2008

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