The Hobbs Parker Blogs

Over the past five to ten years, Ashford has been one of the country’s boom towns in terms of buy-to-let investment opportunities.  Back then, investors were lining up to buy numerous properties, particularly on the estate developments that have been springing up around the town’s outskirts.

The 2007 credit crunch signalled an abrupt end to lots of property investment, particularly buy-to-lets and Ashford, alongside many regional towns, has suffered. 

But things are changing, and there are strong signs that Ashford could be one of the prime places in the country for investment potential.  Moya Bowerman, head of residential lettings at Hobbs Parker, says demand for houses to let in the area is at an all time high.

‘Ashford is being acknowledged by many as an excellent place to live.  Not only are there great plans for the town’s regeneration and future, but the arrival of the high speed bullet train to London means we’re seeing an influx of new people – particularly professional couples and young families – all looking for accommodation.  Many people are renting as a way of getting to know the area before they buy.  At the moment demand is completely out-stripping supply for rental properties, particularly smaller family homes with 2 to 3 bedrooms.’

Hobbs Parker are not the only ones to recognise that Ashford is a place ripe for investors.  The Times recently identified the town as one of the country’s top ten areas on the way up for investment purposes, with the claim that ‘a good train service can add 20-30 per cent to the value of houses.’

Moya Bowerman went on to comment that ‘although finance is harder to secure, if you have funds available for a proportionally larger deposit, it’s certainly possible to find suitable buy-to-let properties in Ashford and the local villages.  Rental figures are holding up well and if the current trend continues could well rise.  I’d also add that if anyone has property lying empty, now is a fantastic time to consider letting it out.’

Posted by Sally Randall