Many individuals who invest in properties and become landlords do so with the aspiration of gaining financial independence and building wealth.
Although it's not difficult to initiate a property investment venture, investors often encounter challenges when expanding their portfolio from a few properties to double digits.
This process can be slow and overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. In this article, we'll provide some essential tips to help you grow your portfolio swiftly.
Starting With A First Strong Investment
Your portfolio's success and growth largely depend on how you begin it. In the property industry, the first project you undertake is crucial as it can either lead to a snowball effect of successful deals or an unhealthy financial situation if done wrong.
Experienced investors often describe their first investment as the toughest, with subsequent ones becoming easier.
It's important to start small and build a solid foundation before expanding your portfolio.
Take the time to know your local area and invest wisely to avoid negative experiences and financial setbacks. Remember, it's better to walk before you can run.
Property Is About Being At The Right Place At The Right Time
To ensure a successful investment, it is imperative to purchase property at the right price.
You can achieve a strong return by buying below market value and selling at a higher price. This will allow you to re-invest in your next project, rapidly building your portfolio.
Many properties are sold for less than their actual worth, particularly if the sellers need a quick sale due to changing circumstances. To make the most of these opportunities, it is important to make low offers and negotiate with the seller.
In addition, investing in properties that generate positive cash flow or provide profits gives you the leverage and equity necessary to invest in your next property.
Timing is also crucial, and buying property during the right time in the property cycle increases your chances of purchasing at the right price and obtaining the best return.
The ideal time to buy is when the market has hit rock bottom and is starting to rise in value again. Investing during a booming market can mean waiting a long time to see significant returns, which slows down the process of growing your portfolio.
Developing And Managing Your Cashflow
Investors who don't have a cashflow strategy are likely to lack an investment criteria and may settle for deals that seem good rather than the best ones.
This eagerness to grow their portfolio quickly often leads to making poor property purchase decisions that don't yield the expected returns.
It's crucial to establish a cash flow strategy and thoroughly evaluate the numbers before buying any property. It's best to use logic and reason instead of emotions when making investment decisions.
Consider A Limited Company
If you own multiple properties, registering them under a limited company may prove more beneficial in terms of tax payments.
Company tax rates are lower than individual tax rates due to higher income tax rates. As a result, your profits can be retained within the company and used for future purchases without being subject to income tax.
This is why many landlords choose to register their properties as a limited company. Doing so protects them from tax liability and eliminates capital gains tax when selling a buy-to-let property while retaining profits within the company.
Expanding Your Marketing and Network
It's not advisable to solely depend on estate agents for getting good deals. Just because an estate agent recommends a deal, it doesn't necessarily mean it's a good one.
Instead, you can engage with other individuals who source deals and motivated sellers through social media and niche groups.
As long as the deals align with your criteria, you have the potential to cherry-pick and find the right deal that suits your needs.
Use a Power Team To Assist You
To quickly build a profitable portfolio, it's essential to acknowledge that you can't handle everything on your own.
As a result, you'll require a team of professionals to assist you in the process. Collaborating with competent solicitors, mortgage brokers, builders, tax advisors, surveyors, and other experts is critical.
It will allow you to rely on their expertise to help you scale your business rather than attempting to master every aspect yourself.
One common mistake made by novice investors is spending too much time on the specifics when they should be actively seeking new opportunities to expand their property business.
Work Closely With Your Finance Broker
The finance broker you select plays a crucial role in the success of your project and the pace at which you expand.
A proficient broker can arrange the appropriate finance promptly, even within a tight timeframe.
Bridging finance is a popular financial solution utilized by investors who require immediate cash.
It enables you to acquire a property swiftly, break a property chain, or perform necessary work on a property.
For numerous investors, especially those who are new to investing, bridging finance is an essential method to initiate or broaden a property portfolio before switching to a buy-to-let mortgage.
Disclaimer
This article is intended to provide a general understanding of the topic. The contents should not be treated as advice.
Accelerated Finance Limited only considers applications for commercial or investment properties.
Accelerated Finance Limited is not regulated by the financial conduct authority and only provides unregulated loans via our network of lenders. Your property is at risk if you fail to make payments on a Mortgage Contract. Please note that Accelerated Finance Limited and its employees do not give financial advice or recommendations on any product.
