| As the nation's property market has cooled, | | | | range of investment properties with off-plan discounts |
| Hometrack has reported the return of a buyers' | | | | of 15%. These include Victoria Court in Wigan, a |
| market, with sales currently being made at 94.3% of | | | | development of ten luxury two-bedroom apartments |
| the asking price. Waiting for a buyers market is a good | | | | priced at £125,000 before discount. Three luxury |
| way to make your money stretch further but an | | | | apartments in West Cliff Apartments in Preston city |
| increasingly popular way of saving money on | | | | centre at £210,000 before discount. And a choice |
| investment properties is by buying at auction. | | | | of 13 one or two-bedroom flats in Worsley, |
| According to the Sunday Times, "90% of cheap | | | | Manchester from £135,000 before discount. This |
| property is sold at auctions" and at every auction are | | | | website is also offering the opportunity to buy a piece |
| investors ready to modernise in the hope of a quick | | | | of television history! Brookside Close is now up for sale |
| profit. Due to the popularity of purchasing investment | | | | in West Derby, Liverpool (but there are no discounts |
| properties at auction there are now range of | | | | on those properties). |
| companies that keep up to date with the latest | | | | To make your investment properties a success, buy in |
| auctions and who will provide you with listings for a | | | | an up-and-coming area where property prices are |
| small subscription fee. One of these services is run by | | | | often lower and are forecast to rise more than the |
| IPDS whose website, auctionpropertyforsale.co.uk, also | | | | national average. At the moment, property forecasters |
| contains useful information about the whole auction | | | | are focusing on Scotland where prices are almost |
| process. If you are keen to buy at auction you will find | | | | one-third less than the national average. Scotland is |
| other agents and listings sites through the website, | | | | currently enjoying economic prosperity due to the oil |
| LandlordZone.co.uk. | | | | industry and is attracting much investment. |
| Another way to buy investment properties with | | | | In Aberdeen, a good buy-to-let prospect with |
| savings on the purchase price is to buy off plan. Many | | | | international transport links and a popular university, the |
| developers throughout the UK will offer significant | | | | agent Gavin Bain & Co holds a wide range of |
| discounts to those who agree to purchase before the | | | | properties ranging in price from £68,500 to |
| build is complete. At the moment many discounts can | | | | £450,000. In Dundee, Your Move is currently |
| be found on investment properties in Manchester, | | | | marketing a three-bedroom flat in a converted mill |
| which has been undergoing a period of regeneration. | | | | building for £137,950 while the company |
| On the website you'll find several examples, including | | | | Construction and Property Marketing currently holds |
| The Cube and The Mews developments both due for | | | | brand-new apartments at Discovery Wharf from |
| completion in autumn 2008. These developments | | | | £161,000. |
| contain investment properties from £116,450 to | | | | Topping many current lists as being the area most |
| £152,150, with a 15% discount for purchasers who | | | | likely to experience the greatest price increases over |
| will buy off plan. Also in Manchester, the Ellesmere | | | | the coming year, Scotland is looking like a good place |
| Property Group is offering 17% discounts on | | | | to invest. If you are buying to let, the university regions |
| apartments in the Ingenta development where there | | | | of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Stirling have |
| are 30 properties for sale with gross prices starting at | | | | obvious attraction. Whether you are looking for |
| £181,260. | | | | investment properties to renovate or buy into a |
| The website off-plan.co.uk is currently marketing a | | | | brand-new development there is much to be found. |