Matt’s buy-to-let investment story

Buyer: Matt Bishop, age 31

Occupation: Personal Trainer and Property Investor

Year of purchase: November 2024

Development: Safari in Huyton, Knowsley

House type: 3-bedroom, detached Brandon

Purchase price: £247,995

Schemes/Offers used: Gleeson’s £10,000 deposit contribution

Purpose: Buy-to-let investment

Currently up for rent at £1,200pcm

Meet Matt, a successful personal trainer from Oxford who has recently expanded his investment portfolio by purchasing a 3-bedroom detached Brandon home at Gleeson’s Safari development in Huyton, Knowsley. With a keen eye for quality and a strategic approach to property investment, Matt shares his reasonings for choosing a Gleeson home as his latest buy-to-let investment.  From the appeal of a new build home to the advantages of a prime location in Liverpool, discover how this investment is set to provide excellent returns and future security for Matt.

Matt said: “Operating a very busy personal training business, I found that my income had reached its peak, and it was time to invest my savings not only for further income but also for the future. I already have two buy-to-let properties, one in Oxford and one in Liverpool, making this my third investment property.

“I find that the rental yield is much better in Huyton/Knowsley/Liverpool than where I am based in Oxford, which gives me a better return on my investment. The location of the development is only a stone’s throw away from the M1, allowing great access to surrounding cities for potential commuters. As a massive Liverpool FC fan, if I choose to live in the property one day, I am not too far from the ground!

“I chose a new build because everyone prefers to rent a brand new home. It was also appealing to take advantage of the 10-year NHBC warranty. By choosing the flooring, tiles, and extras myself, it really allowed me to start from a blank canvas and have the property exactly how I wanted it. This gave me peace of mind, knowing I wouldn’t need to invest extra income to bring the property up to a rental standard.

I looked at several other new build developers in the area but found that Gleeson Homes were slightly bigger and did not have an Estate Charge attached to the property like other properties I had previously visited. I also took advantage of Gleeson’s £10,000 deposit contribution. The 3 bedroom detached Brandon was particularly appealing for me to rent out as it featured an open plan living space along with a generous front and back garden for entertainment purposes. A spacious en-suite to the master bedroom also makes it desirable for a family to rent which is the ideal tenant I am looking for. I am looking for a long-term tenant as I plan to rent this property for the foreseeable. If the property increases in value over time, my plan is to refinance and free up some funds which will allow me to purchase my fourth investment property!

I was very surprised at how smoothly the purchase of the property went. The sales team, Kath and Karen, called me at the end of every week to keep me updated on how the build was going and the expected completion dates. This is when I knew the correct decision was made to purchase a Gleeson home! Throughout the whole buying experience, I always felt at ease and was consistently updated along the way.

I would recommend anyone who is looking to start their property portfolio with Gleeson to take their time and see a good mortgage broker who may be able to give tailored advice. I would also advise working out the property’s rental yield first by looking at the potential rental income and purchase cost. Also, check out the market in the surrounding areas to get a rough estimate of the per calendar month rent you may receive so you can get the best return on your investment.

I have already recommended Gleeson to family, friends, and investors alike and have no doubt they would get the same great service I received. Some family members had already seen the property the day I got the keys and were blown away by its quality.

I would definitely consider buying another Gleeson home for buy-to-let purposes in the not-too-distant future due to the great returns on my investment. "

Inspired by Matt’s story and ready to take your first step onto the investment property ladder? Discover our developments or visit your local Sales Centre to speak with our Sales team and find out more.