Options? Best course of action?

[esxste]

My Partner and I split up some while back, on amicable terms.

We're selling the house we bought in the next 6 to 8 months, and I'm pondering my options, and I was hoping to get some non-professional advice or suggestions here


We'll split the equity 50/50, as we've always paid in equal shares. The house is in north essex, and I work in the city.

I'm struggling to work out if I want to buy another house out in the sticks, and continue to suffer the commute to London, and the lack of decent nightlife.

Or rent a place in London, and invest what I have elsewhere for a few years until I'm bored of city living.

Is there any comparable investments to home-owning?

[Grey Ghost]

Personally I wouldn't want to be out of the property market for the next few years as I believe prices will continue to rise and you could find it quite expensive to get back in at a later date. Would you consider buying closer to London to shorten commute, get a few more beer hours in and stay in the market ?

I live on Chafford Hundred and have a 30-35 minute commute to Fenchurch Street, trains home until just after midnight on a week night and a short walk home - nice balance. There must still be new developments on the market around the M25 that could offer the same options to you.

[Ozzie Osmond]

IMO there are essentially two things which have "indexed" relatively well to real-world inflation. They are,

1. London property, and
2. FTSE All-Share total return index. [Not the basic FTSE indexes which doesn't include re-invested income]

The advantage of 1, if you live in the house, is CGT exemption.

The advantage of 2 is no stamp duty, no estate agent, no legal fees, no maintenance costs. But you will need to pay rent.

[throt]

Investing in out of London bricks and water is a no no, imo..

[esxste]

If I bought out of London, it wouldn't be for investment purposes primarily, just the most sensible option for having a roof over your head.

I don't think I can afford to buy outright in London, and I'm wary about the shared ownership stuff.

[sideways sid]

OP, if you want to invest in something that will give you similar returns to property, buy shares in a selection of Real Estate Companies, REITS, or Real Estate funds.

If you want, you can use CFDs to get a similar gearing effect to buying property with a mortgage.

DYOR etc.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Ozzie Osmond said:

IMO there are essentially two things which have "indexed" relatively well to real-world inflation. They are,

1. London property, and
2. FTSE All-Share total return index.

People indexed to the FTSE All-share will have had a much better day today than those indexed to the FTSE 100! As has been discussed here from time to time, the FTSE 100 grabs headlines but it's very influenced by about half a dozen of the biggest companies - and it is those energy and resources companies which have taken a pasting today.