Investor Buying Guide

Looking to invest in property, we can help you every step of the way.

What Is Property Investment?

Property investment involves buying property with the aim of generating a financial return.

With direct property investment, the investor owns a physical property and may benefit from:

  • Rental income paid by tenants
  • Capital appreciation if property values rise
  • Additional value created through refurbishment or property development


A standard buy to let is one of the most common approaches. The investor purchases a residential property and rents it to a tenant, using the rent to cover mortgage payments, maintenance costs and other expenses.

Property investing can also include houses in multiple occupation, serviced accommodation and refurbishment projects.

Indirect alternatives include property funds and real estate investment trusts. These provide exposure to real estate without owning and managing a rental property directly. They can behave more like stock market investments than physical property ownership.

Seven Keys specialises in helping investors purchase, prepare and manage residential property in the UK.

Property Values In The North East

Your property investment journey should begin with a clear plan, not a property listing.

Before you start investing, decide what you want the investment to achieve. Some investors prioritise steady rental income. Others focus on long-term capital growth or buying a property that can be improved.

A suitable property investment strategy should consider:

  • How much capital you can comfortably invest
  • Whether you want income, capital growth or both
  • How long you expect to hold the property
  • How involved you want to be in its management
  • The level of financial risk you can accept
  • Your planned exit strategy

The right approach will depend on your circumstances. A strategy that suits an experienced investor with a large investment portfolio may not suit someone purchasing their first investment property.

Investor Buying Guide Seven Keys
Investor Buying Guide Seven Keys

Choose the Right Type of Property

Different property types attract different tenants, costs and management requirements.

A standard house or flat may suit investors looking for a relatively straightforward buy-to-let property. An HMO may produce more rental income but usually comes with greater licensing, compliance and property management responsibilities.

A refurbishment property could offer capital appreciation if it is purchased and improved at the right cost. However, building work can exceed its budget and delay the point at which the property starts producing rent.

The right property should:

  • Match your investment strategy
  • Appeal to a clear tenant market
  • Produce realistic rental income
  • Remain affordable after all costs
  • Have a suitable future resale market


Avoid choosing a property simply because it appears cheap or is promoted as a high-yield opportunity.

Research the Local Property Market

The UK property market is made up of thousands of local markets. Property prices, rental yields and tenant demand can vary considerably between cities, neighbourhoods and even nearby streets.

Average property prices provide useful context, but they do not tell you whether an individual property is a sound investment.

When assessing an area, look at:

  • Local employment
  • Transport connections
  • Schools and universities
  • Regeneration projects
  • Tenant demand
  • Competing rental stock
  • Recent house prices
  • Achievable rents
  • Local licensing requirements
  • Future resale demand


Speak to local estate agents and letting professionals, but check their claims against recent evidence.

Do not rely only on how much rent appears on an online listing. Find out how much rent comparable properties have actually achieved, how long they took to let and what type of tenant they attracted.

Places To Invest In The North East

There are several places to invest in property in the North of England, however, it is arguably even better to invest purely in the North East. With the coupling of cheaper properties, high rental demand and good prospects for rising property prices, it’s a great formula for investor success. Here’s our investor buying guide for purchasing property in the region.

Property Values In The North East

Across the UK, Newcastle Upon Tyne is one of the cheapest major cities for property values according to Hometrack. With the average purchase price in Newcastle being £129,700, this makes investing in a City Centre location more affordable.

The Chronicle local press report shows that although prices are increasing across the region, they are certainly areas with falling prices that enables a larger net yield on your investment. Read the report here.

Investor Buying Guide Seven Keys

Assess the Investment Property Carefully

Before investors purchase a property, it should be assessed as both a rental home and a future saleable asset.

Compare the asking price with recent sales of similar residential property. Consider the condition of the roof, heating, windows, electrics and plumbing, as well as signs of damp, movement or poor maintenance.

A viewing can identify visible concerns, but it should not replace an appropriate professional survey.

For flats, check the lease length, service charges, ground rent, planned major works and any restrictions on letting. For houses, investigate local licensing rules and whether the property is suitable for the intended tenant.

The right property should make sense after realistic costs are included. A high advertised yield can quickly become less attractive if the property requires constant repairs or has expensive service charges.

Understand the Full Cost of Property Investment

The amount required to buy an investment property is wider than the deposit.

Your budget may need to include:

  • Mortgage and mortgage broker fees
  • Valuation and survey costs
  • Legal fees and searches
  • Stamp Duty Land Tax
  • Refurbishment
  • Furniture and appliances
  • Landlord insurance
  • Initial safety and compliance work

Investors should also retain money for future maintenance costs, void periods and unexpected repairs.

Tax rules depend on individual circumstances and can change. Investors should obtain advice from a solicitor, accountant or tax adviser before buying property.

Investor Buying Guide Seven Keys

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What fees should I expect to pay when purchasing a property?
  1. Mortgage arrangement fee. Expect to pay your lender an arrangement fee. They vary, however £1,000 is typical or 1%. In some cases, this is non-refundable and either payable at outset or added to the loan. Note: this is not applicable for cash buyers.

  2. Valuation fee. This is the mortgage lenders charge for a valuation to check the property exists and that it also offers sufficient security for the loan. The cost varies according to lender and the purchase price, however a typical cost for this is around £300. Note: this is not applicable for cash buyers.

  3. Legal fees. Many lenders will have a panel of approved solicitors on their list. Depending on the purchase price, typical solicitor purchase fees are around £1000 – £1250. Note: these fees are inclusive of disbursements and VAT.

  4. Stamp duty. For any property investment purchase above £40,000 you will pay SDLT of 3% up to a value of £125,000. Above £125,000 you will pay 3% + the standard charge.

  5. Homebuyers’ surveys. These are another costly aspect to any purchase, with a typical survey costing £400 to £700. The cost is non-refundable at any point but is an important part of fully understanding the structural condition of your potential purchase.

  6. It is a realistic starting point that any refurb works may cost a few thousand pounds. When sourcing properties on your behalf, we will be sure to inform you of these costs at the outlay.
We do not waste client’s money on surveys that are visible from the outset. For example, there are some simple problems that can be discovered upon us visiting the property. These are issues relating to damp and mold, water stains and leaks, windows and doors needing replaced, electrical distribution boards, the roof, loft space and exterior brickwork.
When investing in any property, you must consider the resale value of a later date. This can be considered your exit strategy if you wish to simply sell up and walk away. You are free to ask us at any time for an updated value of your property, and we are best placed within the market to inform you of areas with stable housing markets.
The shortest answer to this question is Yes. If we have any investors who are actively looking to sell a property, then we will commonly offer the property to another one of our investors. This can help to avoid paying a sourcing fee, as we are already being paid from the seller.
This is an aspect of our job that we are extremely proud of. We negotiate offers for both buyers and sellers on a daily basis and we always look to the get the very best deals for our clients.

Speak to Seven Keys About Selling Your Property In The UK

Contact Seven Keys to learn more about working with estate agents in Gateshead offering property sourcing, property management, sales, and lettings. Discuss the right service for your goals and take the next step with a team focused on clarity and long term value.

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