A lot of aspiring property developers/investors (that you?) first hear about Buy to let, I've added a Video Link here that explains what BTL is. I've also added an article about the power of BTL.
Article overview and summary:
£50k to £1m
Let's delve into the topic of financing in property investment. A common obstacle for many is the limitation of personal funds, like savings or equity. Eventually, most investors exhaust their own capital, necessitating the exploration of external financing options. Many aspiring property investors mistakenly believe that a lack of substantial funds in their bank accounts limits their investment potential. In this session, we aim to dispel this myth and explore the concept of leveraging other people's money.
One of the primary hurdles for property investors is running out of personal investment funds. The absence of adequate personal funds can often discourage investors from seeking out potential property deals, fearing they won't have the means to capitalize on them. It’s important to understand that if you can spot a good deal, there’s usually a way to finance it through networking and connecting with potential investors. The key is to shift the mindset from a lack of personal funds to the abundance of investment possibilities.
It's critical to acknowledge that ample funding is available for investment. Many people have idle funds in savings or within their businesses, earning minimal returns. Money sitting in a bank account is not just dormant; it's losing value due to inflation. The goal is to have your money work for you, rather than working for money. By strategically investing available funds, you create a pathway where your money generates more wealth. Believe in the abundance of capital and understand the strategies to access it.
Let's discuss utilizing equity from your existing properties, be it your primary residence or other investment properties. This concept is often overlooked, as traditional financial education doesn’t cover these strategies extensively. For many, the idea of leveraging property to finance further investments is unfamiliar territory. A common and effective entry point into property investment involves tapping into the equity of existing properties. This could include your primary residence, an investment property, or a property you've inherited.
Consider a scenario where an individual inherits a property that requires significant renovation. Often, people in such situations aren't aware that they can remortgage the inherited property to finance the necessary improvements. Instead, they might spend considerable time and resources renovating it themselves. By remortgaging the property, they could expedite the renovation process and bring the property to the market quicker, generating cash flow sooner.
It’s crucial to understand the difference between a residential mortgage, which is based on personal income and affordability, and a mortgage for an investment property, which focuses on the rental income potential of the property. This distinction is key in understanding how you can hold multiple mortgages for investment purposes.
Let’s walk through a hypothetical example using numbers to illustrate how leveraging equity from your home can kickstart your investment journey. Suppose you own a property valued at £200,000 with a remaining mortgage of £30,000. Fast forward ten years, and imagine the property value doubles to £400,000, and you’ve paid off the mortgage. At this point, you own a fully paid-off home worth £400,000, a substantial asset. However, owning a valuable property doesn’t necessarily translate to liquid wealth, especially in retirement. While downsizing is a common strategy to release equity, there’s an alternative approach that can yield greater long-term benefits.
Instead of paying off your mortgage, consider remortgaging your home to release equity for investment. For example, you could take out a new mortgage of £150,000 on your property. Switching to an interest-only mortgage for this amount could reduce your monthly payments, though you would still owe the full £150,000 after ten years. The key here is to use the released equity (£120,000) wisely in property investment.
Let’s break down the £120,000 into four £30,000 portions, each serving as a 25% deposit for four £120,000 investment properties. This approach would give you a total property value of £480,000 (£120,000 x 4) with £360,000 (£90,000 x 4) in mortgages. The idea is to use the rental income from these properties to cover the mortgage payments and generate additional cash flow.
Fast forward ten years, and let’s assume the investment properties have also doubled in value to £240,000 each. Your portfolio is now worth £960,000, with £450,000 in mortgages. You could remortgage these investment properties to not only cover their original mortgages but also pay off the mortgage on your primary residence. This strategy leaves you with a mortgage-free primary residence and a portfolio of four investment properties worth £960,000, with substantial equity.
If we extend this scenario over 20 years, assuming the property values double again, your portfolio could be worth £1.92 million, with the same £450,000 in mortgages, resulting in over £1 million in equity. This demonstrates the power of leveraging and long-term property investment for wealth creation.
Remember, property investment isn’t only about immediate cash flow but also building substantial long-term wealth. By leveraging the equity in your primary residence, you can accelerate your journey to financial independence through property investment. While the idea of increasing mortgage debt can seem daunting, with careful planning and strategic investment, it can lead to a significant increase in your net worth. Remember, the goal is to make your money work for you, leveraging time and property market growth to build substantial wealth.