Tell us about Mistoria Group.
The Mistoria Group is based in Manchester and consists of a number of bespoke companies. We have Mistoria Investments, Mistoria Lettings, Mistoria Renovations & Maintenance, The Property Sourcing Company, FPS Inception, Face Finishings and MCC Accountants.
Each part of the investment process is driven by our group members and ensures that anyone looking to invest with The Mistoria Group will receive a bespoke solution tailored to their specific needs. Each member of our group operates independently however, it’s great having all the skills in-house to be able to offer a complete turnkey property solution.
How are Mistoria Group finding the current investment market?
Due to the economic climate, interest rates are currently at a low and shares/pension funds are barely keeping up with inflation but for investors, it’s potentially a lucrative marketplace at the moment. Latest research highlights that property prices were on the decrease from April to May and although this is not great news for vendors, it allows investors the opportunity to purchase assets at a lower value than would usually be possible.
The Mistoria Group specialise in high yielding student and professional accommodation; the number of university applicants & also the nature of the property market at the moment has made the rental market attractive to investors due to the demand.
Is now a good time to invest in property? What advice would you give to potential investors?
Now appears to be a very good time to invest in property and the positive news for investors is that… it’s likely to get even better. Unfortunately, residential buyers are now at a disadvantage as they are in tough market conditions at the moment due to the restraints on lending criteria; this is highlighted by a recent study by RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) which has revealed that estate agents were struggling trying to sell just one property per week. Whilst low prices may not be great news for homeowners or residential buyers, low costs and high returns are an attractive proposition to any investor.
Any potential investor needs to thoroughly research and undertake extensive due diligence on any investment before proceeding. Like any investment, property investment does undoubtedly have financial risks so obtaining financial advice and researching your market is paramount. It is well recognised that the valuation of student/HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupancy) properties are of a significantly higher value than a standard residential/buy-to-let property and this (along with the substantially higher potential returns) may make this more appealing to an investor.
However, whilst HMOs offer considerable benefits, they are also highly regulated by the local authorities with a number of criteria having to have been met prior to a license being granted to allow the property to be rented – all these things need to be taken into consideration.
What do you see for the industry going forward?
The industry as a whole we anticipate will grow within the next 2-4 years. Interest rates are at an all-time low and we feel that many people may seek alternative investment avenues other than the usual pension funds, stocks and shares which are (at the moment) virtually failing in giving any returns.
Unlike alternative investment vehicles, property investment is appealing because it’s a tangible asset and can provide consistent, strong and secure income streams unaffected by volatile stock market trends. The biggest challenge will be to source and find properties in sought after locations which can generate that much wanted income stream.
If you were personally looking to invest, what would be an attractive investment for you?
Personally, I’d need a company to provide a turnkey operation as I’m a busy working wife and mother who doesn’t have a lot of free time on my hands. I would be looking for a sustainable investment in a growing market which will always be sought after; I would be inclined to opt for a 4/5 bedroom investment property catering for the student market, in a location close to Universities with good transport links. This coupled with working alongside a high quality property management company would make the perfect investment for me.
