Start with the decision
Should I buy to let?A checklist covering cash flow, overlooked repairs, resilience and alternatives.Does buy-to-let make financial sense?Test cash flow, return on cash, resilience and exit value—not gross yield alone.Buy to let or invest elsewhere?Compare property with funds, bonds, gilts and cash on a consistent basis.How much cash do I need?Include the deposit, purchase tax, legal work, refurbishment and reserves.
Buying, borrowing and ownership
Purchase costs and processTax, solicitor, survey, mortgage fees, works and checks for UK and international buyers.Buy-to-let mortgagesLender types, common terms, interest-only, repayment and specialist finance.Individual or limited company?Compare tax, finance, administration, taking profits and the exit.Residents and non-residentsRental tax, the landlord scheme, purchase surcharge, finance and cross-border issues.
Understand the return
Gross yield, net yield and cash-on-cashThree measures that answer different questions.What does buy-to-let IRR mean?How to compare the annualised full-investment return with other instruments.Planning the exitSale costs, mortgage repayment, CGT and sensitivity to the sale price.Tax and commonly missed costsA practical checklist for purchase, ownership and sale.
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