According to recent figures, buy to let mortgages are the fastest growing mortgage products in the UK*. But why is this? They are no the cheapest option, and they are certainly not simple, but what is their appeal? Simply, those who take out buy to let mortgages for rental properties make money. In the last decade, house prices have risen exponentially, so many would-be first time buyers have been priced out of the market - meaning renting is their only option. Couple that with a huge rise in immigrant numbers coming to work in Britain, you have yourself a lot of people looking for a property they can rent.

And the UK is crying out for properties - recent reports say the Government needs to build 50,000 homes to stop the renting waiting list growing**, so there is a scramble for accommodation all over the country. Also rentals have been rising steadily for several years, and are set to continue to do so - the latest research has found that over 30% of all current UK landlords with buy to let mortgages are experiencing rapid growth, with a further two thirds of them experiencing good to strong growth in the rental sector***. Certainly, buy to let mortgages are set to continue to be the key to successful investment in the UK.

It couldn't be a better time to invest in buy to let mortgages - stalling house prices across the UK, coupled with predictions of a massive fall in housing transactions means the UK property market has truly become a buyers' market. And unfortunately for many, repossessions are set to rise, meaning there are even more housing bargains to be had at housing auctions round the country. If you are considering investing in property and taking out buy to let mortgages, the time is definitely now.

So what is the catch? Nothing comes for free in this world: buy to let mortgages must have a downside? Well, all mortgages come with a downside if you cannot keep up repayments, and buy to let mortgages are no exception. Rentals should be able to cover any repayments and some, but there are no guarantees of rentals, so if you do become a landlord have a plan. Lenders like to see all eventualities covered just in case the worst happens and you do not receive rent at the end of the month for any reason. A good investor is a sensible investor.

So if you think buy to let mortgages could be your key to investment success, talk to a broker. Any landlord will tell you that a broker is the key to keeping on top of your investments. They can be there if your circumstances change, for the good or the bad. To keep on top of your buy to let mortgages, as well as your own mortgage and any other financial responsibilities you may have, you need an extra pair of expert eyes always there. Property investment has made millions of Brits a lot of money, but only the investors who planned carefully, listened to expert advice and knew what they were getting into when they signed on the dotted line.

*Council of Mortgage Lenders, May 2008 **House of Commons Communities and Local Government Committee, 20/6/08 ***Paragon Mortgages, April 2008