THE property market buzzword for the last few years has been buy-to-let, with mortgage companies falling over themselves to give money to potential landlords. And there has been no shortage of takers. Many people see buy-to-let as an alternative to a pension, figuring that once the mortgage is paid off the rent will add up to a nice little earner. But you should do your sums before jumping on the buy-to-let bandwagon because it is far from being a guaranteed money-spinner. Mortgage brokers John Charcol - which says about a tenth of the mortgages it arranges are for buy-to-let purposes - is worried that buyers might not get the rents they are expecting if there are major changes to the rental market in the future. Others have expressed concerns that people are initially blinkered to the cost of maintaining the properties they buy, especially if the tenants turn out to be less than careful about how they treat the house. Obviously, there are pros and cons associated with any business or property venture, so it is best to plan carefully before taking the plunge. Below are some factors to think about before making your decision. | 
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