Call Blog
Home Buyers Insurance Checklist
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking to get a buy-to-let, we have put together a simple checklist of all the various things that you need to consider before you start looking for a new property.
What does STC mean for home buyers and sellers?
If you’re searching for the perfect home, you’ve probably come across the term ‘Sold STC’. You may wonder if the property is now off-limits to you as a buyer.
What does 'guide price' mean?
The term' guide price' may be frustrating if you're searching for a property within a strict budget. Not so fast – the guide price isn’t a bad thing, and it might even be a blessing in disguise. But what does guide price mean? And how can a home buyer use it to their advantage?
What is a quick sale and why do you need a 30-day house sale specialist?
In some cases, houses don't sell straight away. They linger on the market month after month, leaving the agents jaded and the sellers increasingly frantic. There are plenty of reasons someone might want to sell their house quickly. But is a quick-sale specialist the answer?
How does an estate agent value your property?
The first stage of selling your home is usually the valuation. But what does an agent actually do when valuing your home? What makes your house worth more (or less) than its neighbours? And most importantly, what can you do to add extra value to your property? Let’s find out.
How to choose the best area to live in the UK
Deciding where to live is a big decision. This is especially true if you’re considering buying property in that area. The place we call home significantly impacts our overall quality of life, so it's not a decision to be taken lightly. Here are our top ten tips on choosing the best area to buy a home in the UK.
How to pack when moving house
Moving house is said to be up there with the most stressful life events. We suspect this must be partly due to the packing process. Whether you’re in a studio or seven-bedroom, boxing up your entire life is no easy feat. It doesn’t have to be that way. Check out our list of ten tips on how to pack for moving house.
Why it’s important to check gas safety
Accidents caused by faulty gas appliances are rare, but they can and do happen in the UK. This is why regular gas safety checks in a property are absolutely essential.
Can I sell my house without a solicitor?
If you're considering selling your home and are looking into the costs involved, you might wonder if you can go through the process without instructing a solicitor. But is this a smart idea or a false economy?
What you should look out for when buying your first house
We’d like to think that vendors are always 100% upfront and transparent during the selling process, but unfortunately, it’s not always the case.
Tips for buying the right home insurance
Everybody needs house insurance, whether you’re a homeowner or a tenant or whether you’re mortgaged to the hilt or an outright owner. Protecting your building and the stuff inside it should be everyone’s priority, so let’s take a closer look at the different types of house insurance and help you decide what type is right for you.
What are the costs of buying a house?
Buying a house is expensive. In fact, if you’re taking out a mortgage that will take you thirty years to pay back, the actual purchase price might seem like a softer blow than the long list of fees, taxes and duties which are usually required upfront.
Can you sue someone after buying a house from them?
In an ideal world, we would purchase our dream home and live in it happily ever after. Or at least for a few years until we’re ready for something else. For an unlucky few, it doesn’t work out this way. For some people, the dream of home ownership can turn into a nightmare – with serious problems only discovered after you’ve exchanged contracts.
Sale agreed: but what does it mean?
If you're currently hunting for a property, you might have seen the term ‘sale agreed’ cropping up on listings. But what does sale agreed mean? Is it just another term for ‘sold’? And can you still get your hands on a property listed as sale agreed? Don't worry; we're here to explain all.
What does no chain (or chain free) mean in property?
If you’re searching for that perfect home to buy, you might have seen terms like ‘no chain’, ‘no onward chain’ or ‘chain free’ appearing alongside property listings. You might have an inkling that chain free is a good thing – but what does it actually mean?
Disadvantages of buying a leasehold property
Are you considering buying a leasehold property? Not to be dramatic, but there are a few things you should know about leasehold properties before you decide to buy one. But are they even worth buying at all, or should you steer clear altogether?
What type of property do I own?
Estate agents may have a categorical knowledge of the different property types, but as a layperson, you'd be forgiven for not knowing your semi from your studio. It’s important to know, as your insurance company will need to assess the likelihood that you’ll need to make a claim – and some property types are more prone to issues than others.
What are house surveys?
The results of the house survey can make or break a sale – so to say it’s important is an understatement. But what exactly is a house survey, and why do you need to have one to sell your home?
What to do if you inherit a house
Inheriting a property is a significant event in anyone's life. It usually brings mixed emotions, and these, together with the legal, financial and moral responsibilities, can feel overwhelming. Don't let it stress you too much, though. We're here to help with our essential guide on what to do if you inherit a house.
What documents do you need when moving house?
There’s no way around it – moving house comes with a whole lot of paperwork. Even in this digital age, expect to find yourself rifling through drawers and digging through document boxes to track down all manner of forms, certificates and documents before the moving process can begin. Missing paperwork can seriously delay your move, so it pays to know what you need in advance. So, let’s take a look at the documents you need when moving house.