Whether you're a first-time buyer or seasoned investor, this guide will help you navigate the property market with confidence.
Buying a property in the UK can be an exciting prospect, but hidden costs can quickly add up and impact your budget. From stamp duty land tax to legal fees and removal costs, it's important to be well-informed and prepared. This ultimate guide provides expert tips to help you avoid hidden costs and make an informed investment.
Step 1 - Get your finances in order:
Before you seriously begin house hunting, it's a good idea to get pre-approved for a mortgage. This will give you an idea of how much you can afford to spend and will make you a more attractive buyer estate agents operating on behalf of sellers.
You can get a Mortgage Agreement in Principle which is also known as a mortgage Promise or Decision in Principle. This can take as little as an hour to get and helps you understand how much you could borrow before you apply for a mortgage.
Tip:
To find out more about mortgages, both our Free Report and Premium Report guides include our recommended UK-wide mortgage broker.
Step 2 - Do your research:
Research the local area: Make sure you research the local area thoroughly before you commit to buying a property. This should include looking at local amenities, schools, transport links, crime rates and the state of the local property market.
Tip:
To save you a considerable amount of time when doing this, our Premium Report guide has more than 25 key data points for any UK property.
Step 3 - Choose your estate agent wisely:
Even though estate agents generally get paid by the seller, the buying process can be lengthy and what you don't want is to get weeks down the road to find out that the estate agent isn't acting professionally. Choose an estate agent who is a member of a professional body such as the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) or the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). This will help ensure that you are working with a reputable agent who adheres to a strict code of conduct.
Tip:
Click here for the National Trading Standard's Property Agent Checker for more information on any UK estate agent.
Step 4 - Know the costs of buying
When you're buying a property, there are a number of costs to consider, such as stamp duty, solicitor fees, survey fees and removal costs. Some of these will vary depending on whether your are buying a freehold or a leasehold.
Tip:
For further explanation around the costs of buying a property read our 10 Essential Costs to Keep in Mind when Buying a Home in the UK.
Step 5 - Understanding the property
It's a good idea to arrange a property survey before you commit to buying a property. This will highlight any potential issues with the property and could save you money in the long run. The most costly issues to repair that home surveys can uncover are
Structural or foundation issues,
Subsidence and flooding risks,
Damp and mould.
Tip:
It's also worth having an idea of the costs to live in the property. Our Premium Report will provide you with estimated energy costs and Council Tax for any UK property.
Step 6 - What's it going to cost to get the property to the way you want it?
Make sure you take a close look at the condition of the property before you buy. If you wouldn't live there in the condition its currently in, establish what would it cost to make it how you want it?
Key items that you need to be aware of include
The boiler i.e. how old is it, when does the warranty expire, does it have a full service history in-line with the warranty?
The electrical wiring - according to Property Insider "poor or old wiring is the most expensive home repair, potentially costing British homeowners a hefty £3,000 to £6,500"
Repainting due to moisture damage
Defects to brickwork
Remedying drafts and a lack of insulation
Step 7 - Paying the right price
Don't be afraid to negotiate on the price of the property. If you've done your research and you know the local property market well, you should be able to make an informed offer.
Tip:
Our Premium Report gives you a breakdown of what properties in your postcode have sold for and what the typical value is per square metre of property in the specific postcode. These are key to understanding the value of any property in the UK.
Step 8 - Leasehold vs. Freehold
If you're buying a flat or apartment, make sure you check whether the property is leasehold or freehold. This can have an impact on the cost of the property and the ongoing costs associated with ownership.
Tip:
For more information on leasehold charges, read the 'Leaseholders Tenure & Fees' section in our Top 5 'Boring' But Essential Tips When Moving Home
Step 9 - Understand the conveyancing process
You should instruct a legal representative once your offer has been accepted. There are various legal professionals who are qualified and regulated to carry out conveyancing work:
Solicitors
Licensed conveyancers
Chartered legal executives and CILEx practitioners
Step 10 - Managing your time
Buying a property in the UK can be a lengthy process which can take several months from your offer being accepted through to 'completion' i.e. when you own the property can take months, so be prepared.
Be aware of the key dates including transaction payment terms, timing for a mortgage valuation, local authority searches and being available (sometimes physically present) to sign documents.
Tip:
Sit down with your legal representation to plan out a timeline so you aren't surprised by any time-sensitive requirements.
By following these tips, you can help ensure that your property purchase in the UK goes smoothly and that you make an informed decision.
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