Call Blog
Should I buy a second home as an investment?
More than 1 in 10 adults in the UK now own a second property. But should you join them?
The process of selling a house
Selling your house? Take a deep breath. It’s quite a process, but nothing you can’t handle. The main stress-causing factor is getting your offer accepted in the first place, followed by the agonising wait until the contracts are exchanged and everything is official.
Buying a home? Government schemes can help
Buying a home in the UK is harder than ever. House prices have risen dramatically while salaries have remained pretty stagnant – and the cost of living means that saving for a hefty deposit is a real struggle for many.
Moving into a new build home checklist
There’s nothing like the feeling of moving into a new-build house. Everything is clean and new, and you don’t have to scrub away decades of other people’s dirt before it feels like home. Just because it’s a newly built property doesn’t guarantee it’ll be smooth sailing once you’ve got the keys, though.
Buying a new build home vs buying an old one: which is better?
When it comes to the perfect home, every buyer is different. Some people dream of a period property packed with original features, while others prefer the blank canvas of a fresh, modern new build.
How to choose the best agent to sell your property
The first step to selling your home is finding the right agent to work with – but choosing an estate agent is easier said than done. Don’t be bamboozled by a sales pitch – read our guide instead.
The process of buying a house
So – you've decided to buy a house. Congratulations! Don't celebrate just yet, though, as the hard part is only just beginning. Luckily, we're here to give you an idea of what's to come with our rundown of the process of buying a house. We've even documented the process in our On The Ladder series here.
What to do if you're nervous about your home survey
When you view a house, you're probably looking at the bigger picture. Can you imagine yourself living here? Is it spacious enough, is there lots of natural light, or are there broken-down washing machines and old tyres littering the neighbour's front garden?
Conveyancing fees - what are you paying for?
Sorry to break it to you, but conveyancing fees are unavoidable in the home buying process. Knowing exactly what you’re paying for can make coughing up a little less painful, so read on to discover what you’re actually getting for those hefty conveyancing fees.
How much can you negotiate off a new build house?
It’s well known that you could end up paying a premium for a brand-new house. But is it possible to negotiate a lower price?
First homes scheme for first-time buyers
The new First Homes scheme for first-time buyers is a government initiative which hopes to change that. But what is it? Who is eligible? How can you apply? And are there any hidden catches?
How to manage a property chain
Most house purchases in the UK are part of a chain. You can look at property chains as a necessary evil. They’re frustrating, delay-causing and sometimes cause the transaction to fall through – but most of us wouldn’t be able to move house without one.
We're paying thousands more than expected on our stamp duty
When buying a property, ensure that you factor in the cost of Stamp Duty before purchasing. Believe me! After our offer had been accepted and we'd instructed the conveyancers to oversee the purchase process, we were sent a breakdown of their costs. Legal fees, transaction fees, drainage and water searches were all there. Honestly, they don't miss a trick! Yet, the figure that jumped out at us was our Stamp Duty costs. Let me explain why.
How to speed up local authority searches
Before you exchange contracts on that dream home, the local authority searches must be carried out. These are a necessary part of home buying, and woe betide anyone who skips them. But do they really have to take so long?
Renegotiating a house price after a survey
So, you found a property that ticked all your boxes. But now the results of the house survey have come back – and it's bad. What's a buyer to do?
What does guide price mean?
Conveyancer. Deeds. Equity. There are plenty of words to get to grips with as you navigate your way through the process of buying or selling a property.
Is gazumping legal?
When you're just starting out on your homebuying journey, it's common to be a little naïve about the process. You might think that so long as you play by the rules and get an offer accepted, you should be able to secure your dream home.
What's the average property chain length in the UK?
When it comes to home buying, the wheels of progress don't always turn as quickly as we'd like. But can you blame it all on a slow solicitor? Before you fire off another angry email, let's meet the real culprit behind all those mysterious delays – the chain.
Problems when selling a house
A property sale falling through can elicit some pretty strong emotions from the most level-headed among us. These can range from disappointment to downright rage. But the worst part? You've probably lost around £2,500 in the failed transaction – the average amount that sellers lose on a house sale that falls through.
What is a house survey?
The house survey is a big deal when buying a house. Essentially, it is an inspection of the property's condition and helps identify potential issues.