Sales

New plans to speed up the conveyancing process have been announced. Let’s look at what they involve and if they will deliver. We live in a digital age where banking and investing online are the norm. But it’s a very different story in the world of conveyancing (the legal process of transferring property ownership from one person to another). The system is still primarily paper-based – and...

There are certain milestones in your life when you should consider making a will or updating your existing one – and buying a home is one of them. Why you should make a will Making a will is the best way of ensuring that your home and other assets go to the people you want to have them when you die. In legal terms, a will is known as a last will and testament. Your home and other assets are...

Buying a property that was previously a rental can be well worth considering. Here’s what you need to know. Firstly, why buy an ex-rental property? An ex-rental can be an attractive property proposition for many reasons. Let’s take a look at them. Chain free Buying an ex-rental can be a quick process. There’s no waiting for the seller to find somewhere else to buy. Competitively...

Congratulations – you’ve had an offer on your future new home accepted. But don’t rush out to buy curtains just yet. Here’s some important information about what happens next. First, the sale agreement is drawn up The seller’s estate agent will probably draw up a sale agreement – sometimes known as a memorandum of sale – and give a copy to all parties. This agreement will confirm...

Cryptocurrencies are said to be the currencies of the future. Here we’ll ask can you (and should you) buy or sell property using crypto? What is a cryptocurrency? Cryptocurrencies have been around for years. However, with President Trump pledging to make the US the ‘crypto capital of the planet’, we could hear a lot more about it in 2025. A cryptocurrency is a virtual, digital currency. It...

With rising labour and materials costs, is it now more cost-effective to move rather than renovate? There’s one question that millions of homeowners have asked themselves over the years: should I move or improve? While both options have pros and cons, the broad consensus has generally been that it’s cheaper to renovate than sell up and buy somewhere else. At least, that’s what people used...

Next Monday (January 20th), Donald Trump will be inaugurated as President of the United States of America for the second time. And whether you love or loathe him, there's no escaping from the fact that he's one of the world's most powerful men (again). Below are three ways President Trump's policies might affect the housing sector on this side of the Atlantic. Mortgage rates and borrowing...

Are you thinking of upsizing in 2025? Knowing what type of upsizer you are is the first step to finding the perfect new home. Upsizing for more room This is THE number one upsizing reason bar none. You're considering upsizing because you want, need – or are absolutely desperate for – more inside space. There are many reasons for needing more room. Any or all of them can be very good reasons...

Changes to Stamp Duty come into force next year. Read on to learn how much they'll cost you and how to deal with them effectively. December is often a quiet time in the property market, but not this year. Buyer demand, especially among first-time buyers (FTBs), is on the rise, driven by impending changes to Stamp Duty. What's Changing?  Stamp Duty cuts announced in the 2022 Mini-Budget will...

If you own or are buying or selling a leasehold property, there could be some significant changes to think about in 2025. With a leasehold property, you own the property but don’t own the land it sits on. Instead, you have a lease on it for a set number of years. You also pay ground rent to whoever owns the land – the freeholder. There are five million leasehold properties in England and Wales....