Tips on Buying a Second Property in Berkshire
When it comes to buying a second property, it’s wise to keep Berkshire in mind when you begin looking for suitable properties. With a broad selection of towns and villages available, there’s plenty of options to choose from here. Each comes with unique selling points and potential ways of creating additional incomes. And this is something you’ll need to be mindful of when investing.
Camp Hopson moves people into Berkshire and the surrounding areas every day. We regularly chat with anyone who is buying a second property to see what led them to choose our county. It helps us understand our customers’ needs and gives us unique insight into the housing market. Here are some of our tips for buying a second property in Berkshire, based on local knowledge and previous customers’ experiences.
Finding the Perfect Second Property in Berkshire –
If you’re thinking of investing in a second property, you might wonder where to start. The first thing to do is work out what your primary reason for having an additional home is. Are you buying to rent out for profit? Or is this solely for a place away from a busy city? Maybe it’s a bit of both, and you intend to rent out when you’re not using the property?
It’s worth remembering that all three examples are still investments, even if you regularly spend time there. Many people purchase a second home to act as a nest egg. Rather than risk as a financial investment, it serves to safeguard the value of the property. You’ll have this valuable asset you can sell if it becomes necessary later on.
There’s also the opportunity to renovate and increase value, especially if you find a rundown building on the cheap. The housing market has been precarious in recent years, so it’s worth cautioning against buying and expecting an increase in valuation without undertaking improvements. However, purchasing a property still ranks as one of the most favourable ways to invest.
No matter what brought you to this decision, we’re confident you’ll find what you’re looking for in Berkshire. We have places to suit everyone, including busy towns like Reading all the way down to quaint villages like Hurley. We’ll walk you through some points you should consider when scouting for a second house or holiday home.
Tips on Airbnb Hosting and Short-term Rentals –
For those who are buying to rent out on a part or full-time basis, the short-term market is worth consideration. It can be a bit more work-intensive at first, but everything evens out after a while. Also, it’s worth remembering there’s an option to outsource the maintenance and hosting services to a professional property manager.
You can install a lockbox for guests to collect keys with a unique code. Alternatively, there’s a smart lock that gives temporary entry with a pin. It’s possible to set the access for the length of each guest’s stay. Then you can catch up with them a day or two after arrival or whenever is convenient for you both. As long as you leave a welcoming gift pack and easy-to-follow instructions, your guests will happily check themselves in.
Many people who host their property on Airbnb have two sets of furniture and some appliances. They swap them out when vacating their home, then replace them with items specifically for guests to use. And you don’t need a dedicated workspace or big van to do this. It’s all possible by using Camp Hopson for self storage and man & van removals services.
It does require some initial investment and work to get your home up to scratch before seeking paying guests. Airbnb is an excellent platform, and there’s a lot of resources and guides to help point you in the right direction. When you create your property description, it’s important to note amenities and local points of interest. We think this is a great way to enjoy a second home and make some additional income when you’re not using it.
Places to Visit when House-Hunting –
Newbury – Berkshire’s favourite market town, although we are biased, it’s also Camp Hopson’s home. This wonderful town is a firm favourite for savvy former Londoners escaping the rat race but needs somewhere vibrant to bridge the culture shock. A tip for businesspeople – Newbury is also home to some corporation giants, such as Vodafone and Micro Focus International.
Reading – There’s one thing you’ll notice about Berkshire – it’s a county with no cities. Reading hosts the largest town in the county, which means it has more of a city appeal. For anyone who wants to downgrade to a quieter setting without losing this type of setting, Reading could be the ideal location.
Windsor – This is the home of Legoland, and there’s plenty of things to do in this tourist favourite. Windsor has excellent transport links and a healthy local economy. It also has some of the finest education institutes in Southern England, making it a popular choice for young families.
Woolhampton – this small village lies between Reading and Newbury offers a more tranquil setting for people looking for a second property. If you’re hoping for a traditional English village with a few local shops, a friendly pub and lots of green space, then Woolhampton should be on your viewing list.
Transport Information, Average Property Prices, Cost of Living and Salary Averages –
Sticking with the previous section’s locations, we’ll attempt to dig a little deeper into the general costs of setting up a home in various parts of Berkshire. This is a general guide from several sources, which we will link directly for your convenience.
Newbury –
Available public transport – Train and bus services run directly to and from London. You can find more information by clicking here.
Average house price – £344,141.
Cost of Living – Not enough data. Click here to see more information on living expenses and here for a comparison to London.
Average Salary – £2,263.29 for a single person.
Reading –
Available public transport – Train and bus services run directly to and from London. You can find more information by clicking here.
Average house prices – £425,146.
Cost of Living – £1,656.42. Click here to see more information on living expenses and here for a comparison to London.
Average Salary – £2,515.73.
Windsor –
Available public transport – Train and bus services run directly to and from London. You can find more information by clicking here.
Average house prices – £600,082.
Cost of Living – £2,057.14. Click here to see more information on living expenses and here for a comparison to London.
Average Salary – £2,716.09.
Woolhampton –
Available public transport – Train and bus services run directly to and from London. You can find more information by clicking here.
Average house prices – £327,1078.
Cost of Living – Not enough data for this due to its size. See Reading’s information for an approximate cost of living guide.
Average Salary – Not enough data for this due to its size. See Reading’s information for an approximate salary guide.
Secure the Services of an Estate Agent –
It’s vital for people who are arranging viewings in Berkshire to have someone here to deal with the practical stuff. An estate agent is a gatekeeper to the housing market, and they can provide the necessary expertise and local knowledge to find a group of suitable homes. If you create a wish list, they’ll filter out unsuitable properties, leaving ones that fit your criteria. And with the rise of technology for virtual viewing, it might be possible to view potential places remotely.
Estate agents have a consummate level of experience that gives them insight into how things like inspections and surveys work. This gives you a degree of assurance that the property has had all the relevant checks before purchase. Then, if an issue occurs down the line, you’ll have protection and some recourse to reclaim costs.
Everyone’s circumstances are different, and it’s often tricky to travel long distances to attend viewings. It’s even more frustrating if the property doesn’t match its description, which is why it’s vital to have someone trustworthy to manage this side of things. Moreover, a seasoned estate agent has contacts throughout the local area, making things easier when linking other services.
Enlisting a Reputable Removal Company –
The benefits of booking with a reliable removal company with an excellent reputation speak for themselves. However, how would someone know if a company is trustworthy before using them? Many years ago, all we had to go off was a word-of-mouth recommendation. Otherwise, it was a game of chance whether the company was legitimate. Thankfully, it’s very different now, and it’s possible to find out a lot of information on prospective companies online.
Rating platforms like Trustpilot and Google Reviews provide an opportunity to research how previous customers felt about a company’s performance. If you see a business with a four or five-star rating average plus lots of reviews, you’re more likely to receive a good service. However, if they have below four stars, it’s likely the reason is poor customer service. It’s worth reading the reviews as well to gain additional insight into their service delivery.
Ultimately, it also comes down to your gut instinct after contacting them to discuss your relocation. If you don’t feel comfortable with their manner at any time, it’s essential that you trust your instinct before booking. At Camp Hopson, our staff are honest and friendly, and we aim to help make buying and moving to your second property stress-free and informative.
Camp Hopson – Berkshire’s Number One for Removals –
At Camp Hopson, our number one priority is to provide the highest standard of removals service. You’ll always find someone available to discuss any aspect of your move. The Camp Hopson team are here to help you find the ideal second property, and we believe Berkshire has something for everyone. Furthermore, we will gladly take you through our range of services when it comes closer to the moving day.
Camp Hopson’s ethos is to work with our customers to ensure they can help them get the service they require. Our team will guide you through the planning stages of the relocation process. And if there are any unexpected delays or you need somewhere to store things before moving, we have excellent storage packages available. Plus, it’s often handy to have the extra space to make sure your holiday home has plenty of room to manoeuvre around.
If you’re thinking of buying a second property and would like to know more about Berkshire, please contact us today. We’ll gladly discuss this beautiful county and our selection of services in more detail.
