Buying an investment home has been a dream come true for me. Make no mistake – it has been hard work and at times I have wondered if it has been worth the effort and financial outlay but, all things considered, I would recommend buying to let to any other ambitious person with money to invest.

It is important that you choose wisely; do your homework and find a sound property in the right location. Be prepared to put in some hard work preparing your property for letting and keeping up with the daily running of your investment. By taking your time and considering your options carefully, buying to let should provide you with an exciting opportunity and a viable financial asset.

This book can only be read as a guide because, of course, everyone’s circumstances and financial position will be unique to them. Updates are made frequently with regard to tax and other financial aspects of owning and letting a property, and you should keep this in mind if you are intending to venture into the letting business.

Remember, you are in control of your letting business. Only you can decide if buying a property to let as a holiday home is a viable option for your own personal circumstances. There is no room for complacency in the property market and it is paramount that you seek professional advice relevant to your own personal circumstances.

Always remember, although property is often seen as a sound investment prices can – and sometimes do – go down as well as up!

Allison Lee

I would like to thank everyone who has helped me in the writing and preparation of this book and in particular to Nikki Read and Giles Lewis at How To Books for giving me the opportunity of having it published.

Special thanks goes to Tony Briscoe at DHC Accounting who has advised me on the financial side of letting a property as a holiday home.

I would also like to thank John Hutchinson of Cendant VRG and Fiona Hamilton of Recommended Cottage Holidays for their assistance in helping me to understand the benefits of employing a letting agency.

Last but not least, I would like to thank my husband, Mark, for his endless patience. Without his help I would not have been able to realise my dream of owning an investment property and I would never have been able to write this book. Our holiday let property is an investment for our own sons, Sam and David, who made us realise the importance of creating a legacy – in our case through property investment. I hope our humble beginnings lead to a more profitable future for them.