Buy
to Let Mortgages differ from what came before by specifically allowing
the rental revenue to be considered as income when considering the
ability of the buyer to meet the ongoing mortgage payments. Buy to Let
mortgages are very similar to standard mortgages for property which the
owner will inhabit. The percentage which the buy to let lender is
willing to lend is likely to be restricted to 80% of the value of a
property. The term of a buy-to-let mortgage is likely to be somewhere
in the region of 5 to 45 years. Interest rates are also likely to be
slightly higher than those which a standard mortgage agreement attracts.
When buying to let it is important to know the market in which you will
be trying to let your property. It may be worth getting help from a
letting agent who knows the area, what is in demand, what the likely
pitfalls will be. By planning carefully and purchasing wisely you ought
to get a property which requires little maintenance and is attractive
to tenants. Avoiding void periods, i.e. time between tenants where you
receive no rental income, will be your primary concern once you have
purchased the house on a buy to let basis. While not inescapable, you
are wise to do everything you can in advance to minimise the likely
length of these periods. Insurance is now available to cover buy to let
contingencies, your provider ought to be able to provide you with
information.
Many high street banks and building societies now offer a buy to let
mortgage product. Independent mortgage broker will also be able to
recommend mortgage arrangements which are not available on the high
street and which will more perfectly meet your buy-to-let mortgage
requirements.