Dunstable did suffer greatly in the last recession and in 2009 Mary Portas visited Dunstable for a BBC2 Money Programme documentary, about struggling high streets, and delivered a gloomy verdict on Dunstable town centre.

In January 2015 an article in The Daily Mail showed more than 40 retail premises that were closed in the once bustling market town High Street, but how things have changed in the 20 months since that article.

Although we don’t market retail premises I have had 2 enquiries recently from people looking to open new businesses but who were unable to find suitable premises. Having spoken to them recently they might now have found something they will suit their needs but it does highlight the shortage we now have in available retail premises. Some have been left empty and have fallen into disrepair especially a few units on High Street South but the owners are difficult to trace and don’t seem to be too worried about the money they are losing.

A walk around the town centre the other day and the following shops have just opened or are due to open in the next few weeks:

The Quadrant:
Coffee Republic, Select women’s clothes shop, Electro Mist and Poundworld currently being fitted out.
High Street South
Crepe Cottage and a New men’s clothes shop currently being fitted out.
High Street North
99p 4 U and The Bank Bar and kitchen opening 25th August

Other recently opened businesses include Streets Ahead Cafe, Gents Barbering, Burger King, Wędlinka Delight

This shows that there is growing confidence in Dunstable and why companies such as Amazon, Signature Flatbreads and Superdrug who employ large numbers of employees continue to expand their workforce. This in turn attracts more people to live in the area and therefore more local people who need local shops and restaurants.

When the holiday season has finished and you are looking for your next investment opportunity, property is likely to come to mind. For advice and a wealth of knowledge from other landlords and investors this FREE invitation (at the bottom) to the Luton Property Investors Network could give you access to the help and advice you need.
 
At Septembers meeting on Tuesday 27th September Ben Hollingsworth will explain how to build relationships with agents for better deals and Kevin Whelan will explain how you can access all the money you could ever need for all the property you would ever want.

Kevin Whelan will:
•    Share his comprehensive blueprint for creating complete financial independence
•    Reveal the 7 sources of capital every Property Professional should know
•    Explain how you can use your pension to acquire property
•    Show the hidden win-win in other people’s pensions
•    Build the confidence to attract Joint Venture partners
•    Share his formula for ensuring the success of any Property JV.
 
Do you know anyone that would like to get better deals from agents? Ben Hollingsworth aims to deliver a content rich presentation based upon personal experience on how to get the most out of agents by developing personal relationships with the key staff. Dispelling myths and somewhat challenging technology, the benefits of direct contact will be demonstrated by the results.
 
To use this code for your FREE entry it must be your first time attending a PIN meeting. You can also pass it on to other people who might be interested.

• Go to: www.lutonpin.co.uk
• Click “Book using a voucher code”
• Insert you contact details
• Enter “belvoirluton” into voucher code box and click apply voucher button
• Click, “Click Here to book your place now” - A email confirmation will be sent

1 bed Maisonette in Dunstable with Freehold for £140,000 and rental yield of 6%.  It also includes off street parking and a garage.

Admittedly this is not in one of the modern most sought after developments in Dunstable in the most popular area, but it is close to schools and shops and the offer of the freehold being offered with the property is always something that stands out to me when a property is advertised by an agent.

Many landlords/investors look to purchase a house because they don’t want a leasehold property, but occasionally a flat or maisonette will appear with the freehold included and that is why you need to look at all adverts by agents when searching for an investment.
This 1 bedroom ground floor maisonette comes with a garage, off street parking, a decent sized lounge and bedroom, utility room and bathroom.
The potential rent is £650-£675pcm which would give a rental yield of  up to 6% and in the current market there is probably some movement in the asking price.

Here is a link to the property  - 1 bed maisonette  

There are daily reports about how Brexit has effected the housing market and many of these are based on the larger agents and the London market which was beginning to slow late last year. If we are not careful we will allow these stories to drag down the housing markets across the country, but this is todays challenge when instant reporting on the news and social media means an instant reaction quite often without any thought process. Just look at the initial panic the day after the referendum vote which has now eased to a more controlled reaction to a process that is going to take at least 2 years.

Looking at the local market which is the property market we should be asking the local property experts about we can see that not having risen as fast as the London market it has not had the reaction of reversing in the same way, but we have seen an easing in the sales market.

The property prices in Dunstable, Houghton Regis and Leighton Buzzard are still very affordable compared to the London market and the towns in between. This means demand continues for buyers and renters in our area and with large companies still investing locally we are still seeing a strong tenant demand for good quality property.

As an investor you are still looking for a bargain to purchase that might require some investment, but will provide a good home for a tenant. These are proving more difficult to find, but with 2 bedroom house prices in Dunstable and Houghton Regis at around the £200,000 mark I was surprised to see this one still on the market at £150,000 having been first listed in November 2015 ! There must be some room in there for an offer ?

Having checked the agents own website it is still listed so presumably still available. A 2 double bedroom semi-detached house with a conservatory and a potential rental valuation of £850-£875pcm. Yes it is dated and will require some modernisation but even after the cost of modernisation is factored in you are likely to be looking at a rental yield of close to 6%. Did I hear someone say the bank base rate is now 0.25% ? Where else would you invest your money ?