Frequently Asked Questions

Regency Invest are a team of highly experienced property professionals.   We provide a one stop property solution to cash-rich time-poor property investors across the world. We also provide bespoke, off-market investment property opportunities to some of the leading UK funds, institutions and HNW investors.  We work with some of the UK's most reputable and ambitious property developers, offering selective, market leading developments to offer to buy-to-let property investors. 

Our property experts have sold hundreds of millions of pounds of real estate investments in their careers, with transactions ranging from £25,000 to £55 million.   Click here to find out more about Regency Invest

Each of our investment property consultants has many years of experience within the property sector and we deliver a level of service and transparency that you simply will not find with any other agent. No pressure sales, just clear and helpful advice to assist in your property search.   We pride ourselves on providing market leading opportunities from reputable developers through the partnerships we have nurtured over the years.  

Regency Invest are here to make your search for a buy-to-let property investment as easy and straight-forward as possible.  Whether you are a cash-buyer, or, want buy with a mortgage, we will provide you with access to our extensive due diligence and market analysis, connecting you with our network of mortgage brokers, solicitors and tax advisors.   Our aftersales service includes regular construction updates from our site visits. We do it all so you don't have to! Better yet, you don’t pay us a fee for buying from us.  

Many of our investors have built up successful buy-to-let property portfolios in just a few short years, now achieving over 15% return on cash invested, as well as building up equity in their portfolio.  

Click here to read our investor case studies.

With interest rates on savings accounts at an all-time low and the volatility of the stock market, buy-to-let property investment has long been a popular choice for investors, who prefer to invest in the security of bricks and mortar.

Purchasing real estate for investment is the most straight-forward and proven method of building wealth and generating an income, which doesn’t need to be a time-consuming, or, difficult process.

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Investing in a Leasehold property will mean that you own the apartment for a certain period, but you won’t own the land.

You will have to pay ground rent and a service charge and also contribute towards any unforeseen and maintenance issues with the building; however, this is typically managed by the appointed property management company, which is good if you do not live near to the property
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With Freehold property, you own the land, but you will have sole responsibility for the maintenance of your building; therefore, if you don’t have the time, or, live near to the property, it may not be the best option for you.

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Regency Invest undertake extensive due diligence before we market any property development and assess the viability of the property investment.

Some of the main aspects that we consider are: 
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Regeneration – is there a regeneration programme underway or planned that will likely add value?
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Population Growth – is the local population expected to grow, with large businesses relocating to the area?
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Location – is the location accessible for the target market?
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Design – does the design and layout of the property meet the demand from the target market?
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Student Market – is there a strong student market, as this is linked to improved rental returns? Rental Forecast – what is the expected rental income from the property?
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Property Management – is there a reputable facilities management company instructed to manage the building on a day-to-day basis?
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Developer Track Record – does the developer have relevant experience? Exit Strategy – is there a defined exit strategy for the property?
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Title of the Land – does the developer own the land?
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Planning Permission – is there permission to build what they are selling? Legal Structure – is the legal structure robust to protect rental assurances and deposits?

‍Whilst we are not solicitors, we endeavour to ensure that we only select the best opportunities. Your solicitor will act for you and in your best interest and not the developer’s. You should use this opportunity to ask any questions you may have before exchange of contracts, as this is a service you are paying for.

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Regency Invest primarily focus on investment for income; therefore, we target our search in regions and cities that have a high level of rental demand and attractive purchase prices, which in turn produce excellent yields. We also target locations where the forecast for capital growth in the medium to long term is good.   The majority of properties that we source are in the Northern regions, which have high rental returns and excellent prospect for capital growth, whilst being considerably cheaper in comparison. For example, the North West of England is forecast for 24% growth over the next 5-years.

Our developments are located in Manchester, Liverpool, Salford, Leeds and Birmingham to name a few.  

Not sure on what locations? Take a look at our location guides.

Each property is different; however, most follow a similar process:

‍Consultation – initial consultation with a property expert
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‍Review Options – review the options put forward following your consultation
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‍Q&A – ask any questions you may have to complete your due diligence
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‍Unit Selection – once you have identified the development, select and hold a unit
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‍Reservation – complete a reservation agreement, deposit the reservation fee, send proof of identification and address to complete the UK anti-money laundering process
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‍Instruct Solicitors – formally instruct your solicitor
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‍Anti-Money Laundering Process – send certified proof of address and identification, along with bank statements showing the funds
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‍Contracts – your solicitor will send you the contracts, their report on the contact and the relevant searches
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‍Return Signed Contracts – return the signed contracts
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‍Deposit Funds – deposit the funds for exchange of contracts
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‍Exchange of Contract – your solicitor will exchange contracts with the developer’s solicitor for the purchase, securing you the property and setting a timescale for completion
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‍Legal Completion – your solicitor will request the funds for completion, which may be cash, or, mortgage, or, a mixture of both, once they have received the notice to complete, and also request your authority to complete

‍Hand Over – the developer typically sends out a welcome pack providing the key contact details, dates for rental payments, etc.

The team at Regency Invest are always delighted to meet with buy-to-let property investors, as property is our passion and we love to talk about it. We are headquartered in London; however, we do frequently travel across the globe and can also arrange a consultation by video call.

Please click here to book your consultation.

Regency Invest work on reputation and are frequently referred to friends, families, colleagues and business associates of our purchasers, so we have established the Regency Invest Referral Scheme to reward for referrals.

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Regency Invest can typically offer a selection of solicitors for each property development, who are contract ready and familiar with the development, which can expedite your purchase, however, you are not obligated in any way to use them.

We have built up a network of mortgage brokers and tax advisors, who can assist buy-to-let property investors from the UK and overseas and we can provide you with a referral upon your request.

With each development we sell, Regency Invest ensure that there is a facilities management company in place to manage the building and a lettings management company in place, who are familiar with the development and have a proven track record.

If you are buying your property with a rental assurance, the developer will typically manage your property for the duration of the rental assurance. After the rental assurance, you can either continue with the existing lettings management company, or, appoint your own.

Buying a property off-plan appeals to many buy-to-let property investors.

The main appeal is buying a brand-new property at today’s value, securing with a relatively low deposit on exchange of contracts. The property investor will then benefit from capital appreciation from the point of exchange to when they complete their purchase.

Many off-plan developments are offered with incentives, such as contractually guaranteed returns, discounts, interest on deposited funds and furniture packs.

Please click here to find out more about the pros and cons for buying off-plan

Rental guarantees are typically offered with off-plan developments being sold as buy-to-let property investments, where the developer, or, a third party guarantee the rent for a year or more.

The rental guarantee is a contract to pay the buyer a fixed return for the duration of the rental guarantee from legal completion, regardless of if the property is occupied.

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During your consultation with one of our property experts, we will work with you to develop a strategic plan and identify what you can afford in both scenarios.

Buying a property for cash would mean you own the property outright with no mortgage costs to consider. In doing so, 5-9% net returns are achievable. Assets such as student accommodation, serviced accommodation and care homes will require a cash purchase.  

Many property investors choose to spread their funds across multiple properties by leveraging their purchase with a mortgage, increasing their return on capital invested (ROCI). Buy-to-let mortgage lenders offer either capital and interest payments, i.e. repayment, or, interest only payments. The latter will lower your monthly costs, but it will not repay any capital.

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