Where is the Best Place to Go for Advice on Property Investing?
Investing in property has long been considered a sound and reliable investment option, but if you’re new to property investment then you may be wondering where you should go for advice. Luckily, because property investment is such a large and popular market, you will find a wealth of resources available online in the UK to hone your property investment knowledge. But how do you separate the good advice from the bad? Where should you begin your research? Here is our comprehensive list of the best resources for finding out more about investing in property:
Online Organisations
One of the largest resources, and the best starting point for your research when considering investing in property is the internet. Whether you’re looking for specialist property data, investment forums, or to better research the current rental market in the UK, there is a wide range of websites available to provide what you need. Some of the most popular of these websites for property investors are outlined below:
- Moneysavingexpert.com is a popular and useful online resource where other amateur property investors share their advice and experience. Founded by financial journalist Martin Lewis, the website is highly regarded and is regularly updated to ensure that any information included is valuable and accurate.
- Propertyze offers consulting services that bridge the gap between lucrative finance deals and high-net-worth individuals, investors, and developers in the UK. Their experts boast years of market experience and are experts within the industry, making this online organisation incredibly useful both if you’re hoping to establish an investment strategy or grow your existing investment portfolio.
- LandlordZONE. Considered one of the best forums aimed specifically at property investors, this is one of the UK’s leading websites for both landlords and property investors. You will find a wealth of expert advice covering topics such as finance and investing, property planning and development laws, and relevant tax and insurance.
- Zoopla. For advice and support when valuing property, Zoopla is one of the best websites on the market. Zoopla will give you an estimated price for any property, including an average price and a high and low range. This service is completely free and easily accessible, meaning that it is ideal for those who are new to the property market or those operating on a tight budget.
Government Support and Grants
Whilst there are currently no government grants available from the UK government to help property investors purchase property, there are grants available that could help you to upgrade your property. These can be particularly helpful if you are looking to invest in a renovation project. For example, the Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) is available to private applicants interested in the construction of new low and zero-carbon (LZC) heat networks within their properties, if you own a flat then you can apply for a grant to install an Electric Vehicle charging point, and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme will offer financial support to help you reduce your reliance on fossil fuels in your properties.
Often local councils will also offer property investment grants, particularly in areas that are in need of redevelopment and regeneration. One example of this kind of support is Birmingham City Council’s Property Investment Programme (PIP) Grant Scheme. This scheme helps businesses to improve their commercial premises by providing financial support towards the cost of building improvement works with the aim of improving employment opportunities in the city. In 2013, Stoke-on-Trent city council unveiled an innovative scheme that has been replicated across the country enabling potential property owners and investors to purchase empty and derelict homes for just £1, on the proviso that these properties were renovated and restored to their former glory. It is worth researching what might be available from the council in your area.
Educational Courses
If you’re starting your journey into property investment with very little knowledge of the property market, then it may be wise to consider first investing in an educational course to hone your knowledge and skill set. Online colleges such as LearnDirect offer relevant courses: you can study for a qualification in Property Investment which will leave you with a greater understanding of the marketplace and more confidence to make your first investments.
If you have more specific needs or are looking for a short course rather than a formal qualification, then many financial service providers offer virtual and in-person courses and conferences to help you to overcome the primary investor failure points while exploring the main challenges that new property investors face. These are very small investments, in terms of both time and money, which makes them especially worthy of exploration.
Online Influencers
It’s important to note that often online influencers are not legally able to offer individual advice and support, as the information they are sharing is generalised rather than focused on your specific needs, but that does not mean that the numerous influencers within the financial and property investment community cannot provide a wealth of valuable information. Social media influencers in the property industry are perfectly placed to unpick the complex issues that impact the UK housing industry and share their insights in bite-sized chunks. Some of the best property influencers to follow if you’re looking for easy-to-access advice include:
- Sarah Beeny. Television presenter and property expert Beeny has an incredibly active Twitter account where she shares opinions and information on all things property in the UK, and she also hosts an insightful podcast which is a great listen for those considering investing in the property market.
- Tyron Ash. Owner of a self-named real estate agency and a regular on Channel 4 property Ash is an expert in utilising social media to grow his agency and specialises in the luxury property market. Ash boasts over 200,000 followers on Instagram.
- Nat Daniels. You can’t invest in real estate without working alongside estate agents in some capacity, and Nat Daniels is one of the biggest and most influential names in the UK estate agent market. Daniels is a thought leader known for his work at ValPal, Landlords Today and EA Today, and following his social media updates is a great source of valuable information about the current and future state of estate agencies and the wider property market.
