I've got quite a healthy sum of cash that I'm looking to invest - but not in property.

 

Has anyone here ever bought a quality franchise? I've done a bit of research into companies that sell franchises, but just wondering whether anyone here's actually gotten anywhere. I'm not talking Utility Warehouse type franchises, I'm talking quite substantial franchises.

I held a Claires accessories franchise for two years back in 2002-2004, it didn't go that well to be honest but I didn't lose money so that was the main thing!

What KFC or McDonalds ? Given up going the US of A?

The shop I opened with a friend is now operated by Claires themselves and is still open so it must be making money these days

God no! Just wondering if anyone had done it, that was all and NOT for a fast food chain! :lol:

I don't think I would do it again unless it was a place I could work at myself.

 

I did consider trying again last year with a Futsal franchise but we just can't find the right unit around here with the correct type of use.... and the council don't want to help with regard to change of use at all.

I'd put it into property to rent out

The trouble with property is that when you come to sell it you are stung for capital gains tax on the profit, thus making any gains on your investment less worth while, also normally a long term outlook on your investment.

 

Good luck in what you decide Si, be interesting to see what you have in mind :thumbup1:

 

Talk to Richard, he is very knowledgeable in accounting and may have some ideas in the best way forward

Yeah I'm apprehensive about that too. Property here is desperately expensive, so I'd only likely consider a buy-to-let further north where the house prices are half!

 

We'll see though.

 

As for a franchise - I think it was a wild idea, I just fancy working for myself! :)

You won't find a better selection of Franchise opportunities than this show Si.

 

http://www.thefranchiseshow.co.uk/

 

As for buy to let, go North and buy accommodation for University use and get it managed, great ROI (return on investment) and a decent asset to off load in the future.

I know a Snap-on guy who bought in for 40K in total with the van ect....worst thing he ever done he said. Turn the Cash into Gold Simon iff your not into property or buy and run a pawn brokers in this current down trodden economic climate.;)

Ide buy to let I know a few people that do it not sure how far north you meant but this be nice http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-17023257.html I was going to buy it myself but funds won't quite stretch make a nice little holiday home or you could donate it to the club as a 300zx club members only retreat :laugh:

If you buy a property a to let and improve it, all the improvements are allowable against tax. If you budget from those savings, it offsets the capital gains if you ever sell it.

If you buy a property a to let and improve it, all the improvements are allowable against tax. If you budget from those savings, it offsets the capital gains if you ever sell it.

 

so your back to square one...Unless you own in the London circle or its surrounding countys then capital growth is almost zero atm and the Bank of England boss will make sure it stays that way for a long time. Buy Cheap and spend as little as possible then get the fare paying passangers (renters) in asap to start your return on your investment

Do you guys recon there are less opportunities to make your money work than say 15-20 years ago?

so your back to square one...Unless you own in the London circle or its surrounding countys then capital growth is almost zero atm and the Bank of England boss will make sure it stays that way for a long time. Buy Cheap and spend as little as possible then get the fare paying passangers (renters) in asap to start your return on your investment

 

There's capital growth in most of Southern England at the moment, the closer to the Home Counties obviously the better.

House prices are shifting quite swiftly here at present.

House prices are shifting quite swiftly here at present.

 

not nearlly as good as 15-16 years ago Steve...1999 i bought a 5 appartment block for 57K and a year later sold for 120K...In the same period i also bought a 3 bedroom semi for 50K and 8 months later sold for 75k. Luckly i put most of my returns on that crazy 13 month period into my current home which allthough is worth a lot more than i paid has not nearly done as good as it used to be..Still i cant moan as my land purchase in California currently is worth the same as i paid in 2001 hence ime hanging on to it till i retire and hope for better times ahead....Dont think we,ll ever get back the days of bish bash fast profits in property like it used to be:thumbdown:

I don't think it will grow like that for a long time, it was unsustainable as it was. Massive prices that people at the bottom couldn't access stagnates the market. I'm a little confused as to how I'm going to afford my next step up the ladder currently. Everyone said once your on the ladder it's easy but the next run up seems to be quite a leap...

my job is rental properties, been doing it for 20 years and im in sunderland where house prices aint that great (unless your buying) if i had money to invest i would not buy rental property nor private rentals, housing benefit rentals or students, here in sunderland there is a to let boards on nearly every other house near our town centre where people want to rent

 

the housing rental market has been flooded with a lot of buy to let landlords, there is also a lot more changes in housing benefit gonna come into play reducing what your gonna get, and lets be fair, the houses are cheap as there isnt a lot of money up here so your gonna struggle to get anyone to private rent for good money

 

there is also a lot more rules and regs changes to student and himo lettings, its getting harder and your gettign a lot less rent per house or room these days

 

maybe invest abroad if your brave enough, dubai has a lot of good investment oppertunitys but you have to know people there so as not to be ripped off

 

good luck and be wise

my job is rental properties, been doing it for 20 years and im in sunderland where house prices aint that great (unless your buying) if i had money to invest i would not buy rental property nor private rentals, housing benefit rentals or students, here in sunderland there is a to let boards on nearly every other house near our town centre where people want to rent

 

the housing rental market has been flooded with a lot of buy to let landlords, there is also a lot more changes in housing benefit gonna come into play reducing what your gonna get, and lets be fair, the houses are cheap as there isnt a lot of money up here so your gonna struggle to get anyone to private rent for good money

 

there is also a lot more rules and regs changes to student and himo lettings, its getting harder and your gettign a lot less rent per house or room these days

 

maybe invest abroad if your brave enough, dubai has a lot of good investment oppertunitys but you have to know people there so as not to be ripped off

 

good luck and be wise

 

yea i agree Allan with the above...too many rent propertys out there now and gov regs are going more in favour of tenents which iff not property savvy you could get lumberd with right knobheads you cant get out of your property..My oldman has 2 units he,s had for years and being 75 ive told him to off load them and spend his money now on life and enjoy before i have to plant or burn him:biggrin:

i know of a landlord who has just spent 4k to evict a woman and has been told she does this all the time and to expect his property back wrecked or burned out and not see any rent whatsoever, tennant is reknowned for it and gets away with it due to mental illness

 

his first and last buy to rent property

Renting to students has got to be a false economy, I've seen some horrendous stuff. That being said I've seen the behaviour of millionaire renters too. Shocking lack of respect.

Can I interest you in a franchise opportunity Si............. Veilside want to expand into the UK........lol

Property is always going to be the best long term option - buy wisely and, of course, let wisely.

 

Sure, you'll pay tax on the profits of the rental income (at your highest tax rate) - but you can off-set the expenses directly relating to the rental income (like mortgage interest, repairs etc). But generally speaking, if you're paying tax, then you are making a profit! And yes, there will be capital gains tax when you sell it - but only on the actual gain in value (less associated legal fees etc on the purchase and sale) - not the actual proceeds. The first £11k of gain is tax free - thereafter it's 18% or 28% depending on whether you're a basic or higher rate tax payer in the year of the gain. So yes, you'll still end up with money in your pocket at the end of it.

 

As said above, you probably won't see the vast gains that people once enjoyed for the foreseeable future. But buy with your eyes set on the long term and you'll not lose.

 

If you just want to invest cash, with the view of accessing your cash at some point in the not too distant future; don't forget your ISA allowance of around £15k per tax year. Buy one before 5/4/15 and another after 6/4/15 - Investec are good performers - and you'll be earning circa 5% PA tax free interest on £30k. Not a lot to write home about, but not a bad return nonetheless.

 

I don't do any of this for a living; so you're best off talking to the professionals - but I am allegedly good with money.....

 

.....Alternatively, buy every decent, rust free, stock 300zx that comes up for sale; stick them in a big garage and wait for the prices to double. Won't be long......:wink:

prime land would be better if you could get ya hands on any, loads of farmers fields round here not plowed anymore, must be worth somthing to builders if it ever picks up

 

porn is always a good industry, everyone will always want porn lol