• Property investment is a more stable investment as compared to the stock markets which can swing like a yo-yo overnight. Property markets are not this volatile. Any impending change in this market's contours can be detected by the smart investor long before it actually happens.

• You get to own a tangible asset, something which can be seen and felt, rather than a piece of paper which overnight can become exactly what it is ? just a piece of paper if the stock suddenly erodes in value.

• Buy to let property owners are better placed to ride the downturn compared against other investors, since whatever happens they will be earning rental income which will fully or partially take care of the mortgage repayments.

• Factors like increasing population, rising divorce rates, single occupancy, university students etc. will always keep the rental property market in growth mode thus making buy to let investment a bit like an evergreen investment. Add to this, the previous home owners who lost their homes because of foreclosure and the future seems promising indeed.

Theabove mentioned points must have cleared your doubts about the viability of buy to let mortgage investments. Now I will give yousome tips about how to invest in this market wisely.

Consider the location: Don?tfinalize a property only because it is situated in a posh locality. Rememberyou are not going to live in it. So you must get a property which is ideallylocated for your target tenants. Like if you are targeting the Universitystudent segment, you need a property which is closer to the college and islocated conveniently near budget markets and public transport facilities.

Know your target tenants:This is very important not only to decide location but also to decide upon thekind of rental you can expect and the kind of amenities you are going toprovide. To extend the example of students, you certainly won't provide plushinteriors to the students as they are not known to take care of their dwellingsproperly. Moreover with this verification you will also get to know about theircharacter and financial viability.

Get the propertyadequately insured: Accidents do happen and even if you are not atfault, as an owner you will have to pick up the tab. So don't be caughtunawares and insure the property adequately. This would also help you secure abuy to let mortgage.

Negotiate the bestmortgage deal: Even in these depressing times you will findwilling lenders provided your financial situation is sound and the targetproperty has potential. But don't go with the first one you come across. Takehelp from professional brokers who will line up the best buy to let mortgagesin the UK.After you have located the better ones, negotiate hard for good terms such astenure, interest rate etc.