When it comes to building a diversified property portfolio, many investors consider a reversionary property investment. Especially beneficial for the medium and long-term, a reversionary property is a good option as it offers a host of advantages. The fact that its unheard of for property prices to decline 50% below their current value makes investing in a reversionary property worth considering.
What is a reversionary property investment?
A reversionary property offers potentially high returns. Reversionary property investing refers to the process where an investor purchases the reversionary interest in another persons property, typically their home. This means they are purchasing the rights to own the property upon the death of the owner or when he vacates. In short, the property reverts to the buyer.
Types of reversionary properties
There are two types of reversionary properties: tenanted and untenanted. Tenanted is when the homeowner stays in the premises while untenanted is when the seller isnt residing in the house. In the second type, the buyer can choose to rent out the property.
How do you obtain a reversionary property?
In a reversionary property investment, you simply buy a residential property from a homeowner at a significantly discounted price usually around 50% of its value, depending on the sellers age and the propertys location and features. Payment can either be made through cash lump sum or in monthly instalments or a combination of both. When payment has been handed over, the homeowner continues to reside in the property as a rent-free tenant with full legal rights to stay in the house.
As long as he continues to stay in the house, he will be responsible for the general maintenance of the property, the utility bills, building insurance premiums and capital tax. Basically, reversion investments are a bet on the life expectancy of the homeowner. Meanwhile, the buyer of the property pays the monthly reversionary annuities until the death of the homeowner. When the homeowner dies or when he decides to leave, the propertys ownership reverts to the buyer.
Who benefits from a reversionary property investment?
Both the homeowner and the buyer benefit from a reversionary property. The homeowner-seller receives additional income in the form of a cash lump sum or monthly payments which could significantly supplement his pension. The setup will also provide him a lease that will endure until he passes away and he is freed from the responsibility of shelling out big payments such as land tax. In addition, he doesnt have to put up with the usual anxiety associated with selling his own property or moving out, allowing him a stable and secure state of mind.
For the buyer, the reversionary property presents an excellent opportunity for him to acquire a property at a huge discount. Most of these reversionary properties are apartments, studio flats, villas and commercial buildings situated in prime spots thus making them well-suited for buy to lets.
A reversionary property investment is certainly one of the least bothersome ways for any property investor to invest.