How to choose a solicitor
You’ve found the property of your dreams and had an offer accepted. For the purchase to transition smoothly, you need to appoint a solicitor or conveyancer to take things from here. Do I need a solicitor to sell my house? First things first, it is possible to do the legal work yourself. But this is […]
The definitive guide to property searches
Property searches explained Property searches are a key step in buying a house. They take place after you’ve had an offer accepted and are among the first jobs your solicitor or conveyancer will take on. There are several different types of property search, some of which are more essential than others. All help to give […]
What happens if a house purchase falls through?
What happens if a house purchase falls through? In 2019, a reported quarter of all property purchases fell through. For both parties involved, this is stressful and frustrating and can set plans back by months. But it’s not always the end of the road. In this guide, we’ll explain the reasons why a house purchase […]
How much will it cost to move house
When buying a new home, whether for the first time, or if purchasing a second, or third property, it’s easy to forget the added costs involved with the transaction. There’s much more to the cost of moving and buying, than just the price of the property and mortgage payments. You should consider Stamp Duty implications, […]
How does shared ownership work?
Shared ownership is a government scheme that helps people who can’t afford a home on the open market, get on the property ladder. It works differently to the conventional house buying process but is generally a more affordable way to start homeownership. What is shared ownership? A shared ownership scheme lets you buy a percentage […]
Everything you need to know about stamp duty
Stamp duty is part and parcel of buying a home. Before you start looking for a property, it’s important to understand how stamp duty could impact your purchase and how to prepare for it. What is stamp duty? Stamp duty is a property transaction tax and has been around since 1694. It was initially introduced […]
The difference between freehold and leasehold
Every property is either a freehold or leasehold. It doesn’t refer to the property itself but rather the land it sits on; you can own your house outright and still have a leasehold property. It’s a complicated subject, but well worth understanding as this will affect every home you live in. Here’s a rundown of […]
Which Housing Survey or Report is Right for you?
When you’re in the throes of purchasing a new house and have what you think is the home of your dreams, it is important not to get carried away – a home is the most important purchase you may ever make and so it’s worth ensuring that what you see is as good as what […]
Tips on planning your budget
When you’re looking for a new house, it can be really hard to get swept up by gorgeous looking properties outside of your budget. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the exciting decisions you need to make when buying a new home. City or village? Terraced house or cottage? Drive or off-road parking? Your […]
Making an offer – useful tips for first-timers
You may have found the house of your dreams and be desperate to secure it as your own, but if the price is out of your budget, then the chances are it could take a bit of time and most importantly, patience, to get it down to a more suitable figure. A lot of how […]
How to Help Your Child Become a Home Owner
Getting a foot on the property ladder is harder than ever at the moment with property prices still at quite a high level. Buying your first home is a scary prospect and many of the younger generation lean on their parents during the process. If you want to help your child and give them the […]
Practical tips to add value to your property
With a flurry of home-related TV shows currently gracing our screens, DIY and home renovation have become more popular than ever, and homeowners are now making changes left right and centre to boost the value of their property. There are the obvious ways to increase property value, such as building a swimming pool in your […]
