New data from online buy-to-let estate agency yieldit reveals that the average age of buy-to-let investors has dropped by over 10 years since 2014.
When analysing the demographics of its buyers over the last four years, yieldit found that the total average age of purchasers had dropped from 52.3 to 42, indicating a shift in the sector.
Whilst property investment has traditionally been viewed as a business for older generations who benefit from already having a foothold in the market, this new data shows that this might well be changing as younger people recognise the strength and rewards of the UK buy-to-let market.
Further analysis of the numbers shows that the drop in age is present across both residential and student buy-to-let, but is more pronounced in residential sales where the average age dropped from 57.5 to 40.9 compared to 52.3 to 44.2 in the student market.
Head of Sales at yieldit, Ryan Hughes, said: ‘Contrary to the many headlines that paint buy-to-let as being a business reserved for older people, it would seem that there is a wind of change blowing through the market which is resulting in a growing number of younger investors entering the market.’
‘Investing in bricks and mortar is as popular as ever and although a small number of our buyers are owner-occupiers, the majority are property investors looking for tenanted buy-to-let. Rising tenant demand and record house prices continue to attract a broadening number of people to the market, including a burgeoning number of first time investors. The figures just go to show that the classic portrait of a landlord is changing, something that we believe can only strengthen and revitalise the market.’
