A new survey has found that nearly two thirds of property investors rate new or upgraded rail links as a major influence on their property buying decisions.

The survey, quoted by the website Property Investor in April 2017, asked investors about the factors that affected their investment choices. Transport infrastructure was high on the list when deciding on what areas were best for property investments. Of those asked, 55% ranked road transport as a priority, with 43% citing airports. Fast broadband availability does influence buying decisions, but only 14% see it as a priority.

The largest influence on buying decisions is rail links, with 77% ranking Crossrail and Crossrail 2 as having the most potential for property investments, followed by the High Speed 2 project at 51% and Thameslink at 47%.

The government is investing heavily in new and upgraded rail infrastructure. People and businesses want to be located near these rail lines. This provides opportunities for both residential and commercial property developments.

Landlords are facing increased costs due to the reduction of tax relief for the interest paid on commercial mortgages. This makes it important to select the best locations for residential and commercial purchases that are in high demand by tenants willing to pay good rents.

There is a demand for finance to pay for property investments in prime locations. Numerous financial organisations provide bridging loans and commercial mortgages for property investors. A broker is able to find the best deals at competitive interest rates.