Buying a house
Buying a house is one of the biggest purchases you'll ever make, so
it's important to make sure it's the right thing for you. The BBC's
Property website (external
link) website offers a lot of information, from getting a
mortgage to making renovations.
Research the area
Find out about:
Finding estate agents and planning your
move
These sites give helpful information about moving, list local
estate agents and offer advice about planning your move:
Financial advice
There are many mortgage providers around that all want your
business. Shop around to find a mortgage that best suits your
circumstances, don't just take the first offer.
The Financial
Services Authority: Mortgages Made Clear website (external
link) provides information on mortgage advice, including
an explanation of the different types of mortgages.
There are a number of hidden charges to consider when moving house,
like:
- Stamp Duty: A property that costs more than £60,000 will
attract stamp duty. Stamp duty is a government tax on property
purchases, which is usually itemised with your solicitor's
bill.
- Arrangement Fees: The arrangement fee covers the administrative
expenses involved in setting up your home loan.
- Valuation Fee: It is strongly recommended that you have a
thorough survey carried out on the property you are going to buy,
as this will tell you about its condition and highlight any
specific problems. There are three types of survey available and
your mortgage provider will arrange one of these for you.
- Legal Fees: You'll need a solicitor to help you through the
legal aspects of buying a house. Fees can vary, so it might be
worth getting quotations from two or three different firms.
Related information