As a property management and investment specialist, I often work with landlords who are unsure of what to do with their properties. Recently, I was approached by the landlord of a seven bedroom shared house who was considering selling the property because they didn’t know how to move forward. The landlord of this property initially approached Francis Stuart for both a sales and lettings advice, having recently decided to take back the property from their last agent after their house was left completely vacant for over a month, in a sorry state, with no guidance provided on how to move forward. The landlord was frustrated with the lack of support and advice they had received, and had mostly decided to sell as it seemed to be the easiest option.

After discussing the landlord’s goals and priorities, I conducted a full market appraisal and presented my recommendations. While the property needed some attention, it was in a desirable area and had the potential to be a sustainable investment property with a bit of work. Ultimately, with the help of Francis Stuart’s professional advice, the landlord was able to make an informed decision about what to do with their property. After reviewing our recommendations and seeing the potential in the property, the landlord decided to have Francis Stuart manage the property and follow through with our recommendations for improvement.

These improvements included extensive necessary roof work and a light makeover to make the property feel brighter and more welcoming. Of course, before they did move in, we made sure to send in our professional photographer (which is also part of our service) to take some photos of the house. We always try to do this as soon as a property is ready so we can always re-advertise rooms before they are vacant without tenants personal possessions in place which means existing tenants do not feel there is any invasion of their privacy, and we have more control over how the property is publicly presented. When we do this, one of our property managers always goes down with the photographer and dresses rooms as we go, to make sure it’s presented in its best light to ensure we can attract the best quality tenants possible.

By following our recommendations and improving the property, the landlord was able to turn it into a successful investment and earn a positive return. The landlord was extremely satisfied, recently writing:

“I am so glad I changed my agent to Francis Stuart. The staff have been fantastic in helping me improve my house…What an amazing Agent. Thanks again!”

How did we do it?

At Francis Stuart, we strive to provide comprehensive support to landlords. When conducting an appraisal, we compile a detailed report that includes:

• Guidance on HMO licensing, planning, and compliance with over 300 types of legislation
• Guidance different types of market the property may be suitable and the benefits/disbenefits of each
• Guidance on the different standard the property could potentially be finished to, and potential layouts in line with this
• Details rent rates, and photos of several similar properties we manage
• Recommendations for maximizing rental return
• Estimates of the property’s value based on different standards and rent rates

With this appraisal I also compiled an estimate of the financial elements of this project.

At the time the landlord came to us, we estimated the following figures in it’s current condition:

And the final figures we estimated after completion were:

Through the efforts of Francis Stuart, the seven bedroom shared house was transformed from a property that the landlord was considering selling into a successful investment. The improvements took about eight weeks to complete, and the final figures showed that we were able to achieve monthly rental income above our original assessment and increase the value of the property by £65,000. Our professional approach and commitment to maximizing returns for landlords sets us apart from other agents.

Could we help you?

If you are not satisfied with the guidance or support you are receiving from your current agent, or if you are unsure how to move forward with your property, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to help you make informed decisions and turn your property into a winning investment.