The impact of school catchment areas on demand for property, both rental and privately owned, has been well documented over the last few years. Even the downturn in the housing market didn’t have such an effect on places with popular school catchment areas.

Buying investment property in very sought after areas within school catchment areas will probably come at a price, as they are already established property hotspots. However, if you apply a wider view to it and look for properties in close proximity to good primary and secondary schools, or look for schools that are likely to be improved soon, then it’s still possible to find properties that could prove to be a good financial investment.

For example, schools that have failed Ofsted reports are often equipped soon after with a new head teacher, who is appointed the task of turning the school around and making huge improvements. Compared to properties in popular catchment areas, those in close proximity to rundown schools may be lower in price and could hold the key to a potential property hotspot.

Realistically, rundown schools can take a few years to be turned around, and for the league tables to improve, but you could be lucky and find yourself a property hotspot and do well with family renters wanting to live close to their school of choice

Of course, it’s important to choose the right type of property that will attract family renters too. Small flats are unlikely to be all that popular, but two and three bed family homes are. Many areas around good schools are also well equipped with local shops and leisure facilities, so when you’re investigating the area, do carefully check out the location as a whole.

Finding Property Hotspots Part 1 – Improved transport links

Finding Property Hotspots Part 2 – Regeneration schemes

Finding Property Hotspots Part 3 – Universities