General (main property discussion here) - Are Landlords getting worried?

I noticed there seems to be a lot of landlords selling their portfolios on Landlord Trader.

Anyone have an idea why? Any landlords out there who are selling can shed some light on it?

Are they getting rid for a particular reason, or is it just to do with the current market and want to get out?

Simon

Why don't you ask a few by using the "Ask a question" button ?

Then Post Back here.

Doubt you'll get an honest answer though. I mean, would you tell potential buyers that you are selling property because it's about to fall down / has awful tennants / is difficult to rent out ? Might not be the case (sure it's not) but who know's. Some have stated that they need the money for overseas investments.

FM

Yeah youre right FM,but then again, if that was the case and somebody sold a bad un to one of us guys, it would be around all the forums in minutes...he wouldnt sell another bad un on here or many other forums, his name would be marred!

I reckon it is just that time of year.

people retire, some up-sticks and move abroad, folks get divorced...

the LLs on here are a drop in the ocean, and I certainly wouldn't get scared by seeing a handful advertising their props for sale on a property sales site - it's a bit self-selecting in terms of sampling!

if you went to a LL association dinner and everyone you met was selling, that would be entirely different. but the reason we are here is we are in the market to buy or sell, so don't complain when someone comes here to sell to you!

John

Oh I'm not complaining John and I know it is a "drop in the ocean", but having peoples thoughts about the subject doesnt harm anyone learning on here.

I'm certainly not scared..far from it...I'll take these properties if they yielded any good, but they dont!!

Probably why they are trying to sell. The only decent yield on here is a load of flats above shops....no thanks!

its all relative simon - sure a few years ago student accomodation was at 13%+ yields. but people saw the value and jumped in. you have have pension fund and insurance companies buying up these props as they like these asset versus stocks and bonds.

with the smaller property investors buying as well as the professional at the institutions the prices had to rise and consequently the yield has fallen. not that surprising.

this is theme is true across the property sectors - commercial and residential.

personally i think the wolverhampton portfolio looks pretty interesting but unfortunately i don't have the cash to step up to the plate!

tom

HI Simon, Most Landlords i know that are selling are just taking profits, landlords buy and sell all the time.

absolutely dave. i sold 8 properties last year and have already bought 3 this year!!

i like to move the portfolio a bit all the time.

tom

It doesn't make sense to sell any property unless you have to. We are reluctantly selling one at a time to fund our retirement and there is no way we would be selling otherwise. Investment in property should be as long as possible and I am really upset about selling our carefully selected and cherished properties! Hang on to them as long as you can or change to increase or vary your property investment.

simon,

as i think about it perhaps what i am most worried about is the time and effort it is now taking me to find properties.

it used so easy but now there are so many more investors in the property game that it is becoming harder. that said, the market is also a lot more liquid therefore easier to sell. the market is more carefully priced and it is hard to find the bargains.

gone are the days of 25% yields - well for me anyway!!

tom

Good point Tom.

Although to be honest I am a long term holder of property and am not looking to sell no matter what happens in the market (i.e. no difference if it doubles or halves).

FS

That is fair enough FS but does that you mean you will buy anything irrespecive of yield/cost.

I agree with you Tom which is why I am happy to use a few finders who have the local knowledge to help me.

I invest all over Engalnd and just can't expect to understand every area I buy in.

Russell

I am one of those guys selling a portfolio and heavily invested in property in the uk and scotland. I am selling purely to capitalise on opportunities elsewhere. Once sold, I will be looking to invest all the proceeds plus more in my new target area. Not worried at all.

MMM, well u all should be worried! and it's the cocky attitude that got peoples fingers burnt in the 80s, they thought things were just going up and up and never going down.

Well think Tony Blair has increased everyones taxes "YES" and has he improved anything "NO" NHS still crap, police still crap, crime up, unemployment figures are a con, more and more industry is going abroad. We are now more in debt than we were when Tony took control "FACT".

This goverment is conning us all they are borrowing money and still not delivering and eventually things will get worse i see it all.

ive done a mortgage for single parent who earns 10Kpa and is given around 8Kpa from the goverment in working tax credit and child tax credits. The money they are giving people to get them back to work has to come from somewhere. Also there is a massive pensions shortfall as pensioners are living longer agin the goverment will have to foot the bill and again it has to come from somewhere.

Ive also done a mortgage for a family 2.1 father works earns 24Kpa mum on disabilty and gets around 9Kpa and son works and gets given £100pw in benefits as hes also slightly disabled but work and earns 12Kpa.

Question is are we living on borrowed time? is it best to cash your chips in now and hold tight or to just ignore all warning signs and carry on buying?

There is loads more but hey politics every ones has a diferent opinion the above is mine backed up with a few facts and im not saying it would be any better under the M. Howard.

yours

Alex M