After over 50 years of operating throughout Oxfordshire, and becoming the counties most prevalent letting agent, we have helped clients invest in literally hundreds of property purchases along the way. We know what we are doing.
Now is a great time to invest in property in Oxfordshire. Since the introduction of section 21 in 1988, buy-to-let investment has been an attractive way to make money. Recent tax and legislative changes appears to have dulled the shine, but we passionately believe that property investment in Oxfordshire remains an excellent place for your money. In any investment decision the scrutiny of ‘why’ has to be number one. Property is an excellent place for your investment and, of course we could be accused of being biased, but there are a number of indisputable reasons of why we think of property as a safe bet. To showcase this have focused on two questions posed above. ‘Why – Property’ and ‘Why – Oxfordshire’.
Why property?
Increase in capital: All too often the focus on investment property is on the yield. Whilst this is undoubtedly a vital and a key consideration, we would also table that the increase in the capital of the investment is equally as important.
Since 1995, there has been a growth in the price of property throughout the UK of 396%. In Oxfordshire, over the same period of time that growth increases to 474%. Even if you were to look back at a much shorter period – the start of 2019 for example – there has been an 18.16% price growth.
Property investment should be considered long-term and the capital gain cannot and should not be ignored.
Tangible asset: owning a buy-to-let investment means you have a tangible and mouldable asset. One which you could potentially improve through refurbishments, upgrading and redecorations. This is something deep within the Finders Keepers DNA, we have our own renovations and furnishing divisions – as part of our 360° service – so we can acquire, upgrade and then let and manage the investment.
Why Oxfordshire?
Supply vs demand: There is an imbalance of supply and demand in Oxfordshire and we have felt this more than ever since 2020. In 2017 the Government announced their housing plan to build up to 100,000 homes in Oxfordshire by 2031. This equates to just over 7,100 homes each year, but according to recent statistics, there have been just under 4,000 permanent dwellings completed over the last FOUR years. These facts reassuringly back up our own ‘boots-on-the-ground’ experience of demand heavily outweighing supply. We need more properties in private rental sector.
Location, location, location: Our location in the Thames Valley is one of our strongest assets and offers an incredibly secure investment proposition when matched against other cities throughout the UK. The county has a strong, diverse and resilient economy, one which has coped admirably with worldwide problems and come back stronger. The recent global pandemic springs to mind, our letting and management operation was affected very little, but even as far back as the global recession towards the end of the noughties; house prices and rent levels were maintained in Oxford’s micro-climate. Oxfordshire is home to one of the strongest economies in the UK, and is one of three net contributors to the exchequer, generating an economic output of around £23 billion of Gross Value Added each year.
Development: Things are finally happening in and around Oxford with a number of developments already in full-swing and a lot more planned for the near future. These commercial and residential developments are a sound demonstration of confidence in Oxford in particular. These newly created areas will create thousands of new jobs and bring in individuals and families from all around the world – and there will need to be good quality and well-maintained homes for them to make a life in.
Key to this mood of encouragement is that the council’s planners finally seem to have caught up, and now actually share in the desire to improve and transform underdeveloped parts of Oxford. There is an acceptance that other UK cities have stolen a march over Oxford on the development front throughout the last 20 to 30 years and Oxford needs to now work very hard to close the gap.
This development surge in turn allows the council to appropriately plan and consolidate its ambitious journey towards a zero-carbon city centre and much improved (and desperately needed) transport links.
The future: Oxfordshire is one of three counties nationwide to prepare a Local Industrial Strategy, which includes a vision to be a top three global innovation ecosystem by 2040 and to create 108,000 private sector jobs. On top of this, the county is home to two leading universities, many globally recognised companies and multiple science and research facilities attracting a steady stream of quality tenants from all over the world.
Of course, there can be no guarantees with any investment, but generally property provides a long-term profit, and Oxfordshire is an attractive place to invest. It's well-connected to London and is an integral part of the Golden Triangle (London, Cambridge and Oxford) for research and innovation. Not only that, but it's a great place to live!
Each property is different and a view must be taken on the property and on broad trends. We advise our clients on where to invest whether it is new-build or second hand property. We understand the micro-rental factors and prices and we will give you advice related to your specific objectives.
To discuss your investment goals contact us directly on 01865 302314 or email us at inspired@finderskeepers.co.uk.
