Property investment has always been considered an attractive option for many people in the UK who are seeking financial freedom. Even with the perceived stabilisation of the property market, property investors still consider the investment vehicle a viable one now that prices are declining and yields are going up.



The rationalisation for this is that the buy to let sector in particular is presently undergoing rising rents and shorter vacant periods - two factors that bring about lower voids compared to those of typical borrowers. Furthermore, by purchasing discounted property from distressed and motivated sellers, there is potential to earn instant profits from day one.

What buy to let offers property investors

Investing in property, particularly buy to let, offers financial benefits in the short, medium and long term. In the short to medium terms, property investment offers various tax efficiencies. For the medium term, property investors can benefit from increased rental income brought about by inflation and the rise in market rents. For the long-term horizon, property provides capital growth. Capital growth is the increase in value of your property portfolio over time. It refers to the money you make as the value of your property goes up in price.

Why buy to let remains popular

Here are the factors that contribute to a healthy demand for buy to let properties:

* Immigration. One of the reasons that buy to let has become a widespread investment vehicle is due to the rise in legal migration to the UK. A survey from Paragon Mortgages revealed that migration is adding to the UK's population by 0.3% annually.

* Household shortage. According to the Department for Communities and Local Government, the UK needs more than 200,000 households a year to meet the housing demand. However many property experts say that there is a major shortage in housing supply.

* Social trends. The divorce rates in the UK have risen significantly: In 1980, there were 148,500 divorce cases in all of UK. In 2000, the figures climbed to almost 200,000, an increase of more than 30%. There has also been a considerable increase in the number of people who stay single by choice and enter marriage later in life.

What to consider before investing in property

* Where to buy: Property experts suggest that you look up historical data and consider the pattern of capital growth over the last 10-20 years. This will help you determine whether the location you are interested in buying property in is worth the money. Your main goal of investing should be to achieve long term capital growth.

* What to buy: When investing in property for the long term, you need to think about what type of property to buy. Some experts recommend apartments since these establishments have high initial returns and require low maintenance usually.

* When to buy: The time to buy property is as crucial as actually purchasing it. Considering that it is impossible to know when prices are going to hit rock bottom, some experts claim that the best time to buy is now.

For you to thrive in property investment, specifically buy to let, you should be able to find the balance between obtaining the best out of your property and effectively managing spending. It is similarly crucial for you to ensure appropriate rental cover and a suitable mortgage product. But most significantly you'll be able to get the most out of your property if right from the start you have already earned profits from it - which is possible if you buy the property at a below market value price from a distressed seller.