DECEMBER IS A GOOD MONTH TO BUY PROPERTY

There's always a deal in December! With buyers thinking about other things and spending their money on other things, there will still be a few vendors that, irrespective of the time of the year, still need to sell. If you're prepared to stay the course, it's a good time of year to pick up property.

This has been the case for the last few years. Every Christmas since the market dropped in 2007, we've had landlords buy property at good prices, or have a bit of thinking time on a property where usually you wouldn't. You need to stay in touch with Estate Agents, who will know if they have clients who need to sell irrespective of the season. You also need to keep an eye on repossessions - usually these are hard to secure as the price rises as people outbid. With fewer people bidding, it's sometimes possible to get one bought at a sensible price. 

We will be keeping an eye on the market and everyone on our mailing list of everything we see. If you're not on our list, you can get your name added by emailing richard.baker@belvoir.co.uk. 

Northampton 2 bed flat with potential to improve - £65,000

What happened here? The agent booked an open day and had over 20 people coming to view. The opportunity for a quick steal disappeared!

I've been notified of a 2 bed East Street, ABINGTON flat which is about to come to the market. It needs work. Headline figures are:

• Buy it at £65,000
• Spend £10,000 - refurbishement required - we can arrange. 
• Two other flats in the same block have sold at £85,000 this year. 
• It will rent for £550, maybe £575 when done.

You'll need to be quick, and ready to proceed immediately. Please contact richard.baker@belvoir.co.uk without delay if this is for you.

Please do NOT come and try and drive the £65k asking price down - it completely ruins our credibility with the selling agent who have approached us because of our track record of introdcuing reliable buyers.

SOLD : FREEHOLD, £85,000, £495 rent, 6.7% RETURN, NO OFFERS

We've had this advertised a while now - it's become available again recently after a prospective purchaser proved to be less than good for the money! The vendor has reduced it - needs the money for other things, so just wants it sold - it's there to buy at £85,000 and not a penny less. For speed purposes, he'd prefer a cash sale. 

A 1 bed house in Dunnerdale, CV21 1QA.

This is the cheapest freehold property in the whole of Rugby by a mile - it's £100,000 for anything else. And it's tenanted - decent tenant too - so nothing for an investor to worry about once they've bought it. 

Potential Bargain in Kingsthorpe, £115,000

This has appeared too and is cheap at £115,000. It's a modern 2 bed mid terrace house.
The agent says it would "benefit from cosmetic improvement" but also confirms it has double glazing, gas central heating, and a modern kitchen.
That leaves me suspecting it needs a new bathroom, complete internal redecoration, and replacement flooring - the sort of thing we can turn round in 14 days no matter how horrible it looks! Given there are no internal pictures I rather suspect this does look horrible - don't let this put you off - you're going to spend maybe £5k on it, so even if you buy for asking price you'll end up committing £120,000 and having something that's really nice. 
It's in a decent private-lettable area and will be popular with tenants at £600PCM. Again, apologies for picture quality - people are getting wise to my scheming ways!

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-33006648.html

Modern 3 bed, £125k, £625 rent = Good Bet

Apologies for rubbish picture quality.

Just advertised by a town centre agent - this is a modern three bed that look as if it needs no more than cosmetic work to get it ready for rental. The basics seem to have been done with gas central heating and upvc double glazing and once tarted a bit (we will assist), this will rent for at least £625 in the current market. 

If you're aiming for a freehold property, below stamp duty (and I'm guessing this property is aimed at £125k), and are put off Victorian Terraces by the potential for hidden problems, the world is by no means your oyster! As such something like this should feature prominently in your thought process. It will attract the first time buyers too though, so be quick.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-47361857.html

Modern 2 Bed Flat £95k

This has just come on the market - a modern 2 bed flat which is very lettable and to good quality tenants. Rent up to £600 PCM, service charges in this block are a little more than you'd like but it's £95k! At the moment the only thing you can buy for less is a council flat, which this clearly isnt! Good buy for someone.

Click here for more details: http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-31735659.html

Any queries let me know.

MODERN 2 BED HOUSE, NICE AREA, £135k (OR THERE ABOUTS)

A nice safe one here for someone. 

I viewed this property this afternoon. It's a modern build 2 bed house, with recent double glazing, central heating, decor and flooring. The bathroom and kitchen are in good order, but dated. Less than £5k to replace the pair. Not essential now, but probably a job for the next 5 years.

It's tenanted - good quality tenant, only paying £500PCM. Should be more - at least £600PCM. 

The property is in the village of Roade, NN7 and is only 1 mile from J15 of the M1, so an excellent and very lettable location. 

I understand from the agent that there's a deal to be done here and a price in the mid £130s may be achievable. It's comparable to a Hunsbury style house which would trade at £145k to £150k at the moment, so for this type of property that's a very good deal.

Interested? Please get in touch at richard.baker@belvoir.co.uk.