Reading’s links to London and the South West mean it has always been something of a hotspot for property investment.
Around 26% of the town’s occupants are in private rented accommodation, but that could increase by 2020 when Crossrail arrives.
In the PwC’s 2018 economic skills and wellbeing research, Reading came only behind Oxford in the Good Growth Index.
All of which means, even deep in the uncertainty of Brexit, Reading is well placed to carry on producing great returns for those looking to invest in property.
Here are four reasons why Reading is a great property investment area and why it will continue to be as we move into 2019, as well as Parkers’ best investment areas within the RG postcode…
READING’S GREAT TRANSPORT LINKS
The M4 makes London accessible by road from Reading in little over 45 minutes, while the Great Western Main Line links the town to London in just 30 minutes.
The Arrival of Crossrail in 2020, however, will place Reading firmly in the minds of those priced out of renting or buying in London.
READING’S VARIED TENANTS
There is demand for rental property from across the demographic spectrum in Reading.
From single, young professionals to young families, tenants are looking to rent a variety of properties so investors can pick and choose which demographic to target when pondering an investment.
Investors looking at Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) are also well catered for thanks to many graduates from the town’s university opting to stay in the town after finishing university.
READING’S VARIED PROPERTIES
A range of Victorian and Edwardian homes are flanked by a series of newer developments in the town centre.
And with more modern homes constructed since the 1950s at places such as Tilehurst, Earley, Whitley and Caversham, Reading generally has something for every kind of investor.
READING HAS GOOD SCHOOLS, ATTRACTING RENTING FAMILIES
School catchments will always be a big deal for families, whether they are renting or looking to buy.
Investors looking to take advantage of this desire should look to the catchment areas around schools such as All Saints Juniors and Aldryngton, both of which are rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.
GREAT READING AREAS FOR PROPERTY INVESTORS
READING TOWN CENTRE
Central Reading is close to the railway station, the university, hospital and Thames Valley Business Park, meaning plenty of varied, employed potential tenants.
Those looking to invest around the university are presented with options for HMOs thanks to the area’s large detached and semi-detached houses.
With Crossrail’s imminent arrival, this will be a key area for investors as we move through 2019.
Average asking rent for Reading: £986 (flats).
TILEHURST
Close to Crossrail’s Elizabeth Line terminus in Reading, Tilehurst offers great rural living for renters but with brilliant connections to Reading town centre and London for rail commuters.
The area is popular with families preferring to be on the outskirts of town and offers a variety of larger family homes for investors to consider.
Average asking rent for Tilehurst: £1,827 (four-bedroom house).
THEALE
Like Tilehurst, Theale is great for families and offers superb connections to Reading town centre.
However, its close proximity to the M4 means it is the area of choice for those using the road to commute into town or to London / South Wales.
With a mixture of houses and flats, it offers an array of choice for property investors.
Average asking rent for Theale: £1,198 (three-bedroom house).
If you are looking to buy, sell or rent in the Reading area, get in touch with your local Parkers office today.
