The latest picture of the UK’s Buy-to-Let market

A fifth of those planning to buy a home in 2007 will purchase their property as an investment, according to new research by Birmingham Midshires.

The findings also reveal that in 2006 Northern Ireland provided the largest return on investment properties.

As part of an ongoing study of the specialist mortgage market, Birmingham Midshires asked a GB representative sample of 2,000 people whether they plan to invest in property during the next 12 months.

At a time when the value of the UK’s buy-to-let property markets stands at over £94.8 billion, the latest findings from Birmingham Midshires ‘Not so average Joe campaign’ reveal that as many as 40 per cent of twenty-something’s planning to buy a property in 2007 will do so as an investment, as will one in four single parents.

Tim Hague, director of mortgages at Birmingham Midshires commented: “The buy-to-let market has grown consistently over the past decade. When you consider the returns available, in terms of both capital appreciation and rental yield, it’s easy to understand why property investment continues to grow in popularity. A growing number of people see property as an important part of a balanced investment portfolio.”