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Hello, I'm looking for some advice around making offers on properties which may be suitable for conversion. I'm interested in converting commercial properties to residential but I'd also be interested in what people with purely residential development have to say. I've not bought a commercial property before and I'm wondering about the following actions and whether they would normally be conducted before making an offer or after an offer is accepted: - Appointing a planning consultant to advise on permitted development for change of use. - Appointing an architect and having them advise on the potential reconfiguration. - Engaging with contractors/builders for quotes or full tender process. I may be 90% sure that permitted development would be granted, have a good idea of what configuration might work and have a reasonable idea of what the development costs would be, but still not quite be willing to committing to buy it without being more sure about the project's viability. If I did all of the above before offering, that could cost thousands of pounds only to have my offer rejected. If I did all the above after an offer is accepted and it emerges that permitted development is less likely that I thought or the development cost is going to be a lot more than I thought, is it normal for a developer simply to pull out of the deal at that point? Not having done the whole process before, I'm keen to know how people de-risk this process. Looking forward to hearing what you have to say. Thanks in advance!

Hi All, I've relocated out of UK and want to sell up a few of my BTLs sourced from Property Hub Invest. First one I am looking to sell is in Bradford...does anyone have any good Estate Agents they have used. Thanks, Dan

I have a nice first floor one bed buy to let I've had for 11 years in W10. I would like to sell and I currently have it on with an estate agent. But it's over restaurant/commercial and makes mortgages harder to get. Having finally sold a different property last year to the fourth buyer after previous three buyers unable to continue, I don't want to go through all that again. Would going to auction be my best option on this harder to mortgage flat? Would appreciate your views! Thanks.

Hi all Planning to invest in a BTL in Birmingham soon. Please can you share your recommendation(s) for letting/property management agency(s) in Birmingham? Preferably a local business/boutique/family run agency, working with BTLs. If you recommend a chain, the name of a particular agent would be appreciated (if you would rather message privately, please let me know). Any recommendations on ones to avoid welcomed too. Thanks and good day Richard

Hi All, I'm currently buying a 6 bed HMO in Liverpool. I know I'll need to re-register the property in by own name for the licence. However is that also true for current certificates i.e. Gas, Elec and Fire Safety. Also need a good and reliable management agency, as I'll be remote. Thanks, Best regards Gary

Hi need some advice re agent charges... I bought my flat new build and as part of the purchase I was given 0% agency fees for the first 12months (tenant moved in in January last year). The tenant ended their tenancy early and moved out in December (after 11 months). However they did not pay their December rent. The agent therefore deducted December's rent from the deposit which they've only just released back to me now. I saw however that they'd deducted their fee from this. When I queried this they advised that because the payment was released to me now (despite it being for December's rent), they are entitled to their fee as 12months have now elapsed. Are they allowed to do this? Are they allowed to make deductions from a deposit? I'd really appreciate advice on this

So I purchased a new build flat in 2018 where the freeholder agreed to the use of the flats as 'rent to serviced accommodation' (i.e. subletting by the tenant permitted). As such, my letting agent found me a tenant who offered a 5yr 'guaranteed rent' in exchange for using the flat as a serviced accommodation.Fast forward 1yr later and the freehold has been sold to a new company who flat out prohibit subletting of any sort. Therefore notice has been served on my tenant.I've emailed my lettings agent to part ways as they have not found a replacement tenant or been very proactive/communicative at all during the whole process... To which they've responded they'll need 3 months notice.Any advice on options/ response?

Hi All, Would anybody be able to recommend a letting agent they use in Milton Keynes for a fully managed service of a pretty standard 2 bed terrace near Wolverton Station? At the moment after some discussion with a few agents I'm between Martin & Co and Wilson Peacock. Any opinions on the above / recommendations / general advice much appreciated. Many thanks Amrit

Hi,I'm looking for commercial agent/surveyor recommendations please. I'm planning to invest in a commercial unit (ideally mixed use) for my next purchase- but struggling to find any websites/ portals/ etc that aren't auction houses.Any recommendations?

Hello everyone, Has anyone got any tips, opinions or comments on the best way to market and sell our small site? We’ve had some rough valuations and been told we can expect offers of over £350k. Any comments on any of these points would be appreciated! • Perhaps most importantly, auction? Or invite closed offers in a set (maybe 1 month?) timeframe? Which is likely to get us the best price for this sort of site in the current market? • If auction – any suggestions for the best firm, or any other tips? What sort of fees should we expect? • If closed offers – advertise it and deal with the sale ourselves or use an agent? We’ve had some direct contact from developers and we could advertise on websites, but is it worth paying for an agent to ensure we get the best price? • If using an agent how much should we expect to pay? I’ve contacted a few and the rates seem to vary widely! Some have suggested a flat fee but a percentage seems better as it gives them an incentive to get the best price. • In fact I’d prefer to offer a ‘staggered’ fee e.g. with a low percentage of the whole sale price, but a higher percentage of the amount achieved over (say) £350k. This would really incentivise the agent to get the best price possible. Has anyone done something similar before? • Should we expect to give the agent a set of keys and leave them to organise viewings etc, or should we be more involved? • Re: the sale process one agent’s recommended a small (£2k?) deposit and an exclusivity agreement with the chosen buyer in return for 28 days to exchange contracts, at which point the remainder of a 10% deposit would be payable with the rest of the money due in another 2 weeks. Does this all seem fine? • Obviously we’ll also need a solicitor to deal with the sale; again what sort of fees should we expect? Some background: We’ve now got Prior Approval under the Permitted Development regulations to convert the current 2 light commercial workshops into 4 small residential units. The site also includes a yard area. We could submit a planning application to knock the workshops down and make the best use of the whole site (using the PD scheme as a ‘fallback’ to negate any concerns the council may have re: change of use etc) but we’re not interested in developing the site ourselves and planning consultants have advised us that any buyer’s likely to want to develop their own plans anyway. We’ve no experience of development so we’re happy to get a slightly lower price and to leave the rest to someone else. The site’s in Catford, see my other 2 posts for a bit more information. Thanks! Lee

Afternoon I'm looking for recommendations of a local property management company in the Northampton area for a property we want to move form a guaranteed rent agreement to regular management agreement. We live in Dubai so it all needs to be arranged remotely so any recommendations for a good company/agent to look into are greatly appreciated. Thanks Amber

Hi All, I am currently living in London and looking for a property to flip in the Birmingham/Peterborough/Northampton area. Due to the distance and time required, I am looking for a sourcing agent to help find me a BMV deal. Does anyone have any recommendations of sourcing agents they have used in any of these areas? Thanks in advance Aaron

Hi guys Can anyone recommend a letting agent that operates in Sheffield and why? Further, if there are any to really steer clear of then why so? Would love any advice you can give and thanks in advance guys

Hi there A friend of mine is having an absolute nightmare with an agent in Sheffield, so just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for an lettings agent over there? Any suggestions/experiences would be welcome thanks Dave