To buy or not to buy
A list of questions to ask yourself to find out if buying a house is right for you
A description of financial considerations that can influency your decision won whether to buy a property, such as financial protection products, short-term cash outlay, insurance and the financial rewards
Market conditions, housing supply, demand, prosperity, interest rates; a descriptive list of economic factors affecting buying and selling a house
A list of reasons why staying put and not moving house nay be a good idea and some ideas on how to improve your home including; extending, converting, decorating, conservatories, carpets, renting and house prices.
An explanation of why living together before you buy a house is worth considering and your legal rights as unmarried home-owners.
A description of how you can buy a house with a friend or colleague and your legal rights
Plan your purchase
An overview of the ten steps involved with buying a house including deciding to buy, Planning your purchase, applying for a mortgage, finding a home, negotiating, making an offer, instructing a solicitor, arranging a valuation or survey and exchanging contracts
An overview and explanation of the costs involved with moving house including purchase costs, deposit, mortgage costs, solicitor's fees, disbursements, stamp duty, survey costs and move costs.
A list and description of mortgage cost including Arrangement fees, application fees, administration fees and mortgage indemnity guarantees.
A list and explanation of the costs involved with moving house including insurance, removals firms, storage, van hire and driving.
A list and explanation of the costs involved with moving house including insurance, removals firms, storage, van hire and driving.
Apply for a mortgage
An explanation of the factors affecting what mortgage you can borrow and how it is worked out.
A mortgage calculator to work out what mortgage repayments you can afford from your income and expenditure.
An explanation of the factors affecting the success of a mortgage application and a list of questions asked and documentation required.
A brief overview of mortgages and lending online in the Internet age plus an explanation of online mortgages, financial advisors, brokers, lenders and personal finance.
Mortgage agreements in principle explained plus an example quotation for a flexible mortgage.
An explanation and example of a written conformation of offer.
Find & view
An overview of searching, finding and viewing a property for sale.
Negotiate
An explanation of how to decide what offer to make and negotiate a price for a property you want to buy
A list of hints and tips to help when negotiating a price and making an offer for a property
A list of factors effecting the buyer's and sellers positions when negotiating a sale including no chain, first-time buyers, pre-qualification, having a mortgage agreement, market conditions, length of time on the market and the season.
Surveys & valuations
An overview of a basic valuation, homebuyer's report and a full structural survey and some hints to help decide which survey to choose.
An explanation of the function, purpose and cost of a basic mortgage valuation.
An example of a surveyor's basic valuation report for mortgage purposes.
An overview and description of a homebuyer's report including cost, property for which it would be required, format and what the survey will consist of.">
An full example of a homebuyers report including all the terms and conditions.
A list of what will and will not be included in a homebuyer's report and full structural survey.
A list and description of what is and as not included in a full structural survey.
Some points to consider when choosing a surveyor and a list of places to look for them.
An explanation of your rights concerning surveyors and the complaints procedure if you are unhappy with the service.
Conveyancing
A detailed explanation of what conveyancing involves, who to use and why it is needed when buying a house.
An explanation of the conveyancing process from receipt of draft contracts, preliminary enquiry, local searches and approval of contracts.
An explanation of what is required to exchange contracts and complete the purchase.
Explaining the fees and costs of conveyancing including search fees, solicitors fees and disbursements.
An explanation of the factors to consider when choosing a solicitor for conveyancing purposes when buying a house.
Details of regulation for the conveyancing profession and the complaints procedure explained.
A description and list of everything you need to know about self-conveyancing, leases and contracts.
Success & failure
A list of things to start planning to ensure you house purchase is successful.
A list of things to arrange once contracts have been exchanged; life assurance, buildings and contents insurance and other protection products.
A description of what gazumping involves and how gazumping works.
The emotional, financial and logistical consequences of gazumping listed and explained.
Tips on how to prevent gazumping by speeding up the sale, managing your relationship with the agent and signing pre contract or lock-out agreement.
Buying in Scotland
Explaining the process of buying a house in Scotland. A list of the main stages in the buying process including mortgage application, bidding, solicitors, valuations and surveys.
An explanation of how the pre-offer process works when buying a house in Scotland. Details: mortgage agreement in principle, finding a solicitor, making an offer and surveys and valuations.
A description and explanation of how to make an offer for a house and get the offer accepted.
A desription of the process once your offer for a house has been accepted. Explains concluding the missives and the Disposition.
Buying at auction
A list of the good and bad points about buying a home at action. Explains vacant possession and the type of property for auction.
Tips and hints on how to prepare for buying a house at auction.
Tips on how property auctions functions and a list of what to do at the auction.
Explanation of the bidding process at a property auction plus a list of tips on how to bid.
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