So what headlines grabbed your attention last year? We look back over the last 12 months to bring you the most read articles from Platinum Property Partners and our authors.
Following the same trend as 2014 and 2015, it's the property related stories that mostly peaked your interest.
1. Record-breaking crowdfunding campaign to abolish buy-to-let tax grab launches phase two
Undoubtedly the biggest story in the Private Rented Sector last year was how new Government legislation would restrict landlords' ability to deduct mortgage finance costs as a business expense when calculating profits. This article announced the launch of a second crowdfunding campaign to support a legal challenge against Section 24, led by Founder of Platinum Property Partners, Steve Bolton, and fellow landlord, Chris Cooper.
2. Why flat sharing into your 30s and 40s is making more and more sense
With the challenges to home ownership never far from the headlines, we looked at a variety of stories out there that actually painted a very different picture about the perception of renting. Not only is sharing rented accommodation becoming more popular in general, but more specifically among those aged 30+.
3. Project Diary - One unique property turned 20 en-suite bedroom HMO
Nottingham-based couple, Jacqueline Standen and Olaf Fetter, were experienced commercial property investors before joining Platinum Property Partners in 2011. In a series of project diaries, they explained how they combined those skills with what they'd learnt from us about Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) to convert a mixed-use property.
4. How to reduce tenant void periods in your rental property
Periods where a rental property is empty is bad news for landlords because it stops generating an income. Although not completely unavoidable, we shared some top tips for reducing tenant voids and frequent tenant changeovers.
5. Growing your buy-to-let property business with the five Ps of marketing
Property investment is first and foremost a business, so we looked at the fundamental five Ps of marketing and how they could be used by landlords in building and growing their buy-to-let portfolios.
6. Women in franchising - Louise Thompson
We talked to Louise Thompson about her experience of being a property investor in what used to be a male-dominated industry and whether being a woman gives her an advantage. The good news is that Louise thinks that gender makes no difference to success!
7. Managing my property portfolio while travelling the world
This inspirational story really emphasises the lifestyle benefits of investing in high quality and high yielding buy-to-let property. Malcolm Crabbe told us how he had been able to take his family on a once-in-a-lifetime six month holiday around the world thanks to the time and financial freedom that his Platinum Property Partners business had given him.
8. Platinum Property Partners make record number of buy-to-let purchases
Before the Stamp Duty hike came into force in April 2016, Platinum Property Partners saw its network of landlords purchase a record number of properties since the franchise was founded in 2007. As a result, more than 200 tenants were given access to high quality and affordable rented accommodation.
9. Post-Brexit buying opportunities in the property market
The other shock story of 2016 was the UK's vote to leave the European Union. Despite the cloud of uncertainty that followed the referendum result, our Founder, Steve Bolton, explained what opportunities this presented for property investors.
10. Partner Diary - HMO number 2 and counting
It's always great to document the progress of Partners as they join us. In this article, we talked to Derbyshire-based Partner, Holly Yates, about how the management of her first HMO was going and the refurbishment of her second property.
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