Another Way to Profit from the Housing Boom

Can't afford a buy to let? One UK company is offering investors a chance to profit from the property market through their house price tracker fund

Emma Wall 24 October, 2013 | 10:05AM
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Thanks to government lending schemes and record low interest rates the housing market is booming. After the lows of the credit crisis, property prices across the UK have made a significant recovery.

According to the Halifax House Price Index, the longest running indices tracking the value of UK property, house prices are on a steady upward trajectory, having risen 6.2% in a year. 

The index, which has been running since 1983, said that house prices increased by 0.3% last month alone, although the average UK property is still work 14% less than the pre-recession peak in August 2007. HMRC has also revealed that mortgage approvals and house sales are on the up - helping to push prices higher. 

In order to take advantage of the trend many investors are turning to buy-to-let, but this requires considerable capital and is an illiquid asset. Property investment trusts and OEICs offer exposure, but these portfolios are mostly commercial units, which do not follow the same pattern as the residential market. 

Help may be at hand with Castle Trusts' new tracker fund, which promises to outperform the rise in UK house prices. The HouSA 3 Year Tracker promises to track the Halifax House Price Index, paying out to investors the change in the index plus an extra 25%. 

The HouSA 5 Year Tracker will pay out the change in the index plus an extra 50%, and the 10 Year product will top up by 70%. 

Minimum investment is from just £1,000 and investments of up to £50,000 are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme against Castle Trust going bust. 

Since inception 12 months ago, the Growth HouSA has delivered between 9% and 12.2%. 

The return is not guaranteed however the index – and your investment - can fall in value.

If the index falls, the HouSA Tracker will cushion some of the blow, only falling by 75% of any drop on the 3 year tracker, 50% on the 5 year product and 30% of any fall on the 10 year.

There are some reservations surrounding the product. Besides the usual concerns of any investment that you can incur capital losses, these trackers are not strictly 'funds' but actually a series of structured products. A structured product is an investment that is reliant on a third party performance - in this case the Halifax House Price Index - rather than the performance or cash flow of the issuer itself. 

It is therefore imperative that investors understand what they backing - you must be confident both in Castle Trust's financial position and the state of the UK housing market. 

Investors should be aware once you have invested you are tied in for the full term - these trackers are not tradable.

The information contained within is for educational and informational purposes ONLY. It is not intended nor should it be considered an invitation or inducement to buy or sell a security or securities noted within nor should it be viewed as a communication intended to persuade or incite you to buy or sell security or securities noted within. Any commentary provided is the opinion of the author and should not be considered a personalised recommendation. The information contained within should not be a person's sole basis for making an investment decision. Please contact your financial professional before making an investment decision.

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Emma Wall  is former Senior International Editor for Morningstar

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