March 2005 By JeffPrestridge, Mail On Sunday Confidence in the buy-to-let market remains strong, despite a slowdown in lending and worries over falling house prices. Investors' faith is underlined by surveys from T anrilnrd Mortgages, the biggest buy-to-let broker, and buy-to-let loan provider Mortgage Trust Few landlords appear to have been deterred by fears that house prices might fall - many are seizing the opportunity to expand their property portfolios during a period of stable prices. Landlord Mortgages says research among experienced buy-to-let investors suggests that some landlords intend to boost their portfolios by as much as half over the course of this year. Managing director Lee Grandin says: 'Landlords are generally astute investors who manage their portfolios skilfully. 'Many are taking advantage of the opportunities offered by a rocky housing market to buy more property.' Meanwhile, a new survey by Mortgage Trust indicates that many buy-to-let brokers remain upbeat. Nearly 70 per cent predict that they will see more business over the next three months than in the previous quarter. Nicola Severn of Mortgage Trust believes buy-to-let optimism remains high because of new rules starting next year that will allow investors to hold residential property inside self-invested personal pensions. Graham Bates of property website thatsproperty.com says buy-to-let is being written off in some quarters because of the slowing property market. But he believes that as a long-term investment, it is here to stay. Bates says: 'The British have always had a love affair with bricks and mortar and now more people are being shown the way to invest in residential property. Putting money into buy-to-let property remains an excellent long-term option, but only if it is part of a balanced portfolio of investments.'

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