Are you curious about investing in property across the North East, or exploring buy-to-let (BTL) and supported living opportunities? You’re in the right place. The North East has been attracting growing interest from investors across the UK and beyond for a number of years, and for good reason. We recently caught up with Jackie Fitzgerald, Director of Homes or Houses and a proud NAPSA-approved agent, to share her first-hand experiences and practical advice from this region of the country.
Meet Jackie: Finding a Better Way to Support Investors
Jackie’s journey into property sourcing is rooted in her own needs as an overseas investor. In 2012, while living abroad, she realised just how challenging it could be to find honest, buyer-focused guidance and support. The UK property market often seemed geared towards sellers, leaving buyers searching for someone truly on their side.
Determined to change this, Jackie founded Homes or Houses to bridge the gap. Her approach is hands-on – offering not just property sourcing, but also refurbishment and management support. This means her clients always have someone they can trust from start to finish. Today, Homes or Houses continues to thrive, built on clear values and a deep commitment to helping others invest with confidence.
Why So Many Investors Love the North East
The North East stands out for its fantastic combination of affordability, strong rental yields, and steadily growing opportunities. Jackie and her team have been based in this location long since before it became popular for investors in other areas. They have seen the changes in the last few years and provided us with insights as to why it has become so popular with both new and seasoned investors:
Affordable Entry Point: The North East remains one of the most accessible places to start your property investment journey, making it attractive for first-time and experienced landlords alike.
Growing Investment: There has been a wave of high-profile investment in the region, including several sovereign wealth funds and major global companies, helping to drive regeneration and support long-term growth.
A Promising Future: The North East is following a path similar to other regions that have experienced major property value increases – such as the North West (Manchester, Liverpool), but it still offers great value today.
Whether you’re looking for traditional buy-to-let opportunities or something a little different, the North East is well worth considering.
Jackie’s tip coming from a finance background, is to always make sure you seek professional financial advice before making any property investment purchase.
Supported Living: Property Investment that Makes a Difference
Jackie and her team have seen exciting results from supported living, a strategy that not only delivers stable income for investors but also helps provide safe, comfortable homes for those who need extra support. This experience has come from years of challenges, learnings and making the right connections in the sector. All of which to provide people with mental health needs, veterans, or young people moving on from care with the right support they need.
Steady Income: Typical three-year leases match local authority contracts, supporting consistent rent with lower arrears risk.
Positive Social Impact: Your investment helps meet a real community need, creating a genuine sense of achievement.
Less Day-to-Day Hassle: After initial setup, the investment can be largely hands-off, with reliable partners handling the details.
Jackie encourages all investors to do their homework and be cautious about offers that seem too good to be true, especially those promising unusually high rents or very long leases. Her mantra: work with ethical, transparent partners – always.
The Importance of Compliance and NAPSA’s Support
It’s more important than ever to choose property sourcing agents who are compliant, professional, and truly care about their clients’ interests. Homes or Houses’ membership with NAPSA is a sign of their commitment to professional standards and ongoing protection for their clients.
When you choose a NAPSA-approved agent like Jackie Fitzgerald and Homes or Houses, you know your investment journey is in safe hands. NAPSA members are fully insured, registered with governing bodies and regularly monitored by our team. We do this so investors can contact our agents with peace of mind.
Jackie’s top tip? Always ask agents about their credentials – and don’t be afraid to check!
Are you a sourcing agent who shares these values? Find out how NAPSA can help you grow your business and support your clients with confidence.
