Landlords are increasingly targeting cheaper properties that deliver higher yields, say researchers.
The findings from Mortgages for Business in its latest buy to let index reveals that of the mortgages arranged in the second quarter of 2017, most of them were for properties that are cheaper than they have been in recent quarters.
The properties were also providing better returns with both multi-unit and HMO purchases delivering average yields of more than 10%.
Properties that will maximise income
The firm's chief operating officer, Steve Olejnik, said: “Landlords have been selective this quarter with their purchases and have chosen properties that will maximise income with minimal investment.
“This is a strategy that will become popular as it allows a landlord to maintain profitability while restrictions on a landlord’s income tax relief are phased in by HMRC.”
The index also reveals that landlords are increasingly scaling back their expansion aims and there are fewer landlords looking to increase the number of buy to let properties in their portfolio.
Number of buy to let mortgage products rockets
Meanwhile, it's been revealed that the number of buy to let mortgage products that are available has rocketed by 149% in two years.
The findings from Mortgage Brain reveal that there are now 2,634 buy to let mortgage deals available for landlords, a rise from the 1,058 mortgages on offer in June 2015.
Mortgage Brain’s chief executive, Mark Lofthouse, said: “The increase in mortgage availability over the last two years is not just great news for mortgage advisers but it is also an indication of significant improvements to the mortgage market in the UK in terms of availability and product choice.”
Buy to let mortgage advisers have now greater opportunities
He added that buy to let mortgage advisers have now greater opportunities for advising and sourcing on a wider range of products which will help to meet the changing needs and demands of landlords wanting a mortgage.
Looking at the wider picture for mortgage product availability, Mortgage Brain says its database registered a new high last month of 9,973 live mortgage products available from mainstream lenders.
They say that over the past year, there is been a 48% increase in the number of mortgage products available.
The news follows recent revelations from Mortgages for Business that for the first time, more landlords with limited companies are now applying for BTL mortgages than individual landlords for the first time.
In the second quarter of this year, according to their figures, buy to let lending to a landlord with limited company increased by 51%.
