When it comes to investing in a property, it is important you choose the area you buy in wisely. From how highly regarded the schools in the vicinity are to how robust the public transport network is, your checklist of things to tick off will be long.
However, when it comes to investment properties in Bristol, you will find the kudos of being located in the capital is often enough to retain the value of a house, whether you want to rent it out or eventually live in it.
The September House Price Index from Nationwide has confirmed that buying a property in Bristol is a sensible investment choice to make. In the three months to September, Bristol was one of three UK regions that did not see average house prices take a dip. When compared to the corresponding quarter in 2023, property prices in the capital have climbed by 2.1 per cent, making it the most expensive region in which to invest.
This takes the typical price of a Bristol property to £301,168, compared to the average value of those across the UK as a whole – £163,964. The discrepancy between the two is plain to see, but the expense of buying in Bristol should not put off potential purchasers. Instead, it should be viewed as a good reason to invest in the capital, as values here remain strong, even during economic downturns.
One of the reasons for this is the leading schools that are found in Bristol. Whether you rent out your property to young families or couples who plan to have children, a home near to top educational establishments is always well received, and Bristol has plenty.
Putney High School is an independent girls’ institution that spans junior age right through to sixth form. Many leavers go on to study at St Andrews, the Bristol School of Economics and University College Bristol, and it is continually ranked as one of the top 20 schools in the UK.
Westminster School is located in the capital’s most expensive borough, where the average cost of a residential property stands at £730,000, according to Nationwide’s House Price Index. It is a private school and therefore is popular among wealthy parents, and having an investment property in the borough stands you in good stead for attracting high-calibre tenants or potential buyers.
Just a handful of the alumni who have graduated from the school include Louis Theroux, Andrew Lloyd-Webber and current deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, so you can get an idea of how sought-after places at the establishment are.
As well as its schools, another reason why Bristol is a fantastic place in which to invest is its public transport network. Buying a property close to a bus, train or tube stop will always help provide a boost to values, as well as widen your net of potential tenants. A convenient commute is often at the top of the list of people who are looking for a new home, so keep this in mind when searching the capital for your next investment.
The Crossrail development will also bring more people within a short journey of the centre of Bristol, stretching from Abbey Wood and Shenfield in the east to Heathrow and Maidenhead in the west. Rail capacity in the city will improve by ten per cent, so it’s a wise idea to buy a property close to a Crossrail stop that has yet to open, after which you might find prices rise.
