Hello readers,

A big part of investing in an HMO is choosing the right location as this really can make or break not just how much profit you make, but also whether your investment is even viable.

Choosing the right property in the wrong location is as bad as choosing the wrong property in the right location and one of the first things to look at when investing in an HMO is where the hotspots are in an area as this will indicate where to consider looking.

You certainly won’t want to think ‘oh there’s loads of HMOs in an area and that means I should be there too’ as it could indicate oversaturation. However, it certainly does indicate strong potential demand – I would always recommend speaking with local estate agents and other investors to get a good feel for the area.

When looking at an area to invest in, I tend to find that the best way to assess is by researching the areas on spare room, speaking to local lettings agents and other investors to build up a map of areas you will want to consider and areas you will want to avoid.

I have been working on an investment map for Ashford and am exclusively sharing these with you! I must stress these are suggested areas to focus your search upon. It does not mean that a property will not work if it is outside of the square, however it is worth focusing your search within the red square itself.

When it comes to Ashford, there are three main HMO hotspots and these are around the town centre, in South Ashford and then just by New Town. Check the maps below for a visual illustration.

Ashford HMO Map

• Average rental prices: Double Room £450-550, ensuite room £550-700, 
• Average price of a semi-detached property: £237,374
• Average price of a terraced property: £267,139

I have previously written about how Ashford is the next HMO hotspot to watch and with things such as the high-speed rail link, William Harvey Hospital and exciting new developments such as the South Of Ashford Garden Community, Hinxhill Park, Bilham Farm, Sevington Lakes and more help demonstrate that the area is certainly a good bet for investors.

As mentioned above, the maps are a place to start and they certainly don’t mean that you will want to go and purchase the first property you find. Some roads within the recommended areas will work better than others and particularly when looking at an HMO, you need to give consideration to things such as transport links, possibly parking, proximity to a town centre, and even the neighbours.

I hope that you found this article insightful and remember that you can book an in-depth two-hour discovery session for £249 here if you would like to discuss your property investment journey in depth!

Other than this, the best way to reach me is by replying to this email!

Hasan