The average speed of broadband in Britain is 6.86Mbps (megabits per second), but despite this, speeds can vary considerably depending on location. The slowest speed in Britain, for example, is in the village of Farningham in Kent, which only gets an average of 1.30Mbps. Although it might not mean much to you, when you consider that it would take someone 12 hours to download a film in Farningham, compared to an hour or so in high speed areas, the frustration does become apparent.

A survey by ISP Review found that nearly 75% of people would be put off a property if it didn’t have access to high speed broadband and over half would be prepared to pay more if it had fast broadband.

With more people working from home and the Internet being such a huge part of our everyday lives, property experts are beginning to recognise that broadband speed does matter.

A well known property website is teaming up with BT to list broadband speeds alongside all the other standard property information they provide on their listings, so perhaps considering the broadband speed your properties offer may be a useful new addition?

First time property investors often assume that they should find a property in close proximity to where they’re based. The reasoning behind that thought is that they’ll be near by to sort out any problems, can check on it regularly and keep an eye on the local rental market.

But whilst it may seem sensible, serious investors need to look at other factors in relation to the location too. It doesn’t matter whether the property is located just down the road or two streets from you, what matters is whether the figures add up and if it’s a good location for tenants.

Here are six important factors to consider before you part with your cash:

1. Most importantly, you need to consider what the cost of the property is, what the return on the property is likely to be and what rental yields you could achieve. 

2. Study the existing rental market in that area and the prices being achieved. Is it in an area where the demand for rental properties is outstripping supply?

3. Is the property near popular children’s primary or secondary schools and could it attract families looking to rent?

4. Is the property located near universities or colleges and would it be attractive to the student rental market?

5. Are there any large hospitals or factories nearby? If so, it could attract workers needing conveniently located housing.

6. Is the town part of a regeneration project? In time, this could help increase the value of the property.
Although it may be tempting to go with the first property you see available for sale, if you want to make money from your investment, you should do your homework first. If it all adds up, then go for it.