While it is clear that the buy to let market is an appealing one for many investors, it is important to carry out research and study the available options. Shepton has a population of more than 10,000 people which means that a lot of people have an interest in the area. There are a number of areas in Mid Somerset that can be considered when looking for property, and this is why it is vital to know what is on offer from the local property market.

As of June 2017, the average value of property in Shepton stands at £253,586; a figure which is said to have risen by 1.06% in the past three months.

• Average price paid for Shepton property over the past 5 years: £224,479
• Average price paid for Shepton property over the past 12 months: £250,158
• Average price paid for Shepton property over the past 6 months: £247,208
• Average price paid for Shepton property over the past 3 months:  £236,324

Shepton offers reasonable expected rental yields
The expected rental yield for a one bedroom property in Shepton is 4.05% and this rises to 4.27% for a two bedroom property in the area. A three bedroom property offers a 3.52% expected rental yield while a four bedroom property offers an expected rental yield of 2.85%. A five bedroom property in the BA4 postcode area is expected to provide a 4.16% rental yield.

It is important for every investor to be comfortable with the return that they are likely to receive but many people will find the returns on various property types in this part of the country to be suitable. Given the affordable price of property in the area, there is a lot to be said for buying property, as there is a high level of demand for property in Shepton.

Shepton has some advantages over Glastonbury
When you take on board that the average price paid for property in Glastonbury in the past 3 months stands at £339,639, you have to say that investing in Shepton looks immediately attractive. This is a saving of close to £100,000 for property while there isn’t much difference in some of the rental yields. As an example, a three bedroom property in Shepton provides an expected rental yield of 3.52% while a three bedroom property in Glastonbury provides the lower expected return of 3.23%. Neither area breaks through the 5% expected return so it may be that the saving associated with buying property in Shepton makes this the Mid Somerset area that investors should consider.

Individual preference may persuade an investor that one area is better for their needs than the other, so make sure you know what you are looking for. It also makes sense to call on the services of a local estate agent who understands the market and can advise you on the merits and benefits of each area. However, even people with a casual knowledge of what Shepton has to offer, and the reasonable costs and returns associated with the area, will agree that this is an area with great potential for the buy to let market.

About Tom Morgan

Founder of Jungle Property the multi award-winning letting agent based in Glastonbury, Somerset. I am passionate about property and Glastonbury and about providing the very best advice to anyone who wants the best return on a buy-to-let property investment. For an open and brutally honest opinion on anything in the Glastonbury property market please contact me via tom.morgan@jungleproperty.co.uk