Why Invest in Manchester properties?
1.Economic growth
According to EY’s latest Regional Economic Forecast about GVA (Gross Value Added), the economy of Manchester is expected to see an annual average growth of 2.2% between 2024 and 2027, which will outpace the national growth rate of 1.9%. Its local economy will be above £2.4bn more in 2027 compared to GVA in 2023. The city is the hub of numerous businesses, including major companies in finance, tech, media, and logistics. Creative and digital industries in Manchester make it a hub for innovation and technology. This has enhanced job opportunities in the city, attracting a young and skilled workforce, leading to economic stability in Manchester, and driving demand for buy-to-service or rent-to-service properties in the city.
2.Undersupplied housing market
According to the recent Manchester Housing Strategy 2022-2032, there are nearly 68,000 socially rented homes in the city, which is not sufficient to meet the rising demand of the increasing population in Manchester. In the same report, it is estimated that the city is under-supplied by at least 500 new homes every year. It has led to a rise in housing prices and rents across Manchester, making it suitable for property investors to invest in residential properties in the City.
The target of supplying homes every year is 1000, but only a target of 500 homes is met each year, driving the demand for rentals and new homes.
3.Increase in property prices
The provisional average house price in the city in May 2024 was recorded at £235,000, which was slightly more than a year earlier, and for flats, the average price rise is 2.6%. This growth increases the value of all existing properties in Manchester, creating lucrative capital appreciation chances for property investors and homeowners. As the property value rises, it stimulates future investment in Manchester, leading to property market growth. The house prices are forecasted to grow 19.3% by 2028 according to JLL Residential Forecasts 2024-2028
4.Higher rental yield
The rise in property prices has made home ownership difficult, leading to higher rental market demand. The average rent for single-bed property rose by 12.7%, and for four-or-more bed property rose by 10.9%, while rent for semi-detached properties increased by 12.5%, and for terraced properties it rose by 12.1%. A rise in rental demand increases the annual average rental yields, which will benefit buy-to-service or rent-to-service property investors. Most of these demands come from students, young professionals, and small families due to increased education and job sectors, which will continue to strengthen the rental market.
5.Manchester property investment market
The average annual house price growth in Manchester, according to the JLL Big Six Residential Development Report: +1.6%
The average annual rental growth in Manchester, according to JLL Big Six Residential Development Report 2023: +12.2%
The provisional average house price rise in Manchester as of May 2024: £235,000 (+1.8% from the previous year)
The annual average economy growth of Manchester by 2027, according to EY: +2.2%
The target for new homes in the City, according to Manchester Housing Strategy (2022-2032): 10,000
One major reason for the property price rise is the Increased employment rate in Manchester: 71.4% (between ages 16 to 64)
Types of property investment opportunities in Manchester?
There are multiple types of property investment opportunities in Manchester for investors looking to capitalize in a short period.
1.Rent to Service Accomodation (RENT2SA)
Rent to Service accommodations are properties that investors rent or lease from landowners and put into short-term rentals, like Airbnb holiday homes, instead of traditional rentals. A part of the income is paid to the homeowners as monthly rentals, and they keep the remaining profit with themselves. For higher rental yields, property investors must choose homes in prime locations near tourist attractions, business hubs, education centers, and places with high quality of living.
2.Buy to Service Accomodation (BUY2SA)
Buy-to-Service Accommodations are similar to RENT2SA properties except for the fact that investors buy these properties from homeowners and then put them into short-term rentals. The best part is that property investors have ownership and can keep all their earnings to themselves. Such an investment can be fruitful when investors target the growing tourism and business travel market in Manchester. It often provides a higher return on investment in comparison to traditional rental properties.
3.BRRRR (Buy, Refurbish, Rent, Refinance, Repeat) property investment
BRRRR property investments are simple. Investors buy a property that requires refurbishment and put it out for rent to make higher income, then refinance to pull out the equity and repeat the whole process. The city’s robust job market, diverse culture, and ongoing regeneration projects ensure consistent demand for rentals. Investing in such property allows investors to maximize their returns and quickly scale their property portfolios in a dynamic market.
Manchester city development and growth projects
Manchester has seen impressive regeneration projects in the 21st century, with billions of pounds invested in transforming the city through exciting development projects that significantly boosted the UK economy. Manchester regeneration projects are one of the major reasons for the city’s increasing property prices and demand for housing and commercial properties.
Since 2010-11, Manchester has received billions of pounds in public sector money and investment, which has resulted in the development of multiple new hotspots in the City suitable for property investments.
One of its key initiatives is the Northern Gateway regeneration scheme that will deliver 15,000 new homes and create a world-class City River Park for Manchester over the next 20 years, which will boost the local economy, increase property values, and attract more residents to the city.
Another popular project is the MediaCityUK regeneration project, which started 14 years ago and has created Manchester’s prime destination for creative and media businesses. Stanford University is nearby, and this area is populated by students, which has increased the demand for housing.
Other regeneration projects that impact the property prices in different locations of Manchester include the building of the UK’s best business quarters in Spinningfields, £800m NOMA project, the Great Northern Warehouse project, £1bn St. John’s Development, Oxford Road Corridor development, the building of modern urban living spaces in Ancoats and New Islington, and Civic Quarter projects. All of these projects aim to build modern residential and commercial hubs, offer high-quality living options, and boost the local economy.