Millions of Britons have turned to property as an investment in recent years, due largely to rocketing house prices and the relatively poor performance of stock markets. A lack of confidence in company and state pensions has also fuelled the move to property, contributing to a boom in buy to let property investments, overseas property investing and the second home and holiday home markets.

To the uninitiated, property investing can seem a daunting task – and it is right to be wary. Building a property portfolio is a serious investment commitment and does not come without its risks.

First of all, many property investors will need to secure finance in the form of a mortgage. Buy to let and overseas mortgages tend to be more complicated than the average home loan. Buy to let lenders in the UK, for example, will require details on yields (rental income) to ensure you have enough rental income to cover the monthly payments (typically by 130%), should there be any voids (empty periods).

Other factors also need to be taken into consideration – for example, property investors may like to consider interest-only mortgages as interest is tax deductible. Seeking help from an independent financial adviser (IFA) will help both amateur and seasoned property investors make the right decisions.

Expert property investment advice can be even more important when buying property abroad. Many UK specialist financial advisers can arrange overseas property financing and have professional links with conveyancers abroad, making the property purchasing process less intimidating. After all, it can be difficult enough buying a property in the UK, let alone in a foreign country with a different legal system and language to boot.

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