Accelerate Homes

An old house can hide a wealth of history within its walls. Equally, entering an older house can be like walking into a time machine to the future!

Perhaps it has been fully renovated from the inside out, which will of course increase the amount of money you sell the house for when using a we will buy your house service.

So if you are interested in local history, particularly that which is relevant to you, or perhaps you are just curious, look no further.

Finding When A House Was Built

Why does knowing the age of your house matter?

Besides our natural curiosity as human beings, the age of your house can actually be important for a number of reasons. The primary reason for most homeowners relates to insurance. This is because building and content insurers often ask for the age of your property.

Unfortunately, older houses tend to push you into a higher insurance bracket.

Furthermore, it can impact upon any work you wish to do upon the house. A property with listed features is likely to have heavy restrictions on any renovation work. Usually this is for the sake of preserving historical features.

However, it can be down to safety reasons also. For example, houses built before 1977 may contain asbestos, which presents a significant threat to the health of those inside.

Also, if you are looking to sell your house, the age of the house can even be a selling point. Older houses with interesting or distinct period features possess a lot of character that is appealing to buyers.

Equally, new builds can cater to a different market, or people that are looking for a more modern look.

What resources are available to me?

HM Land Registry

In the UK, this should be your first stop in finding out the true age of your house.

However, they keep records of land ownership, as opposed to what is built on the land. So if you bought your house from a developer, you may have to contact them directly.

Hopefully they can shed some light on the rough age using the date of the first transfer or lease by the developer, as this date is often referred to in the register.

Unfortunately this means that if your property was not sold by the developer who built it then HM Land Registry will not have information on its age.

Your neighbours

Often an overlooked method, asking your neighbours for information on your house age is actually one of the most simple methods to finding out how old your property is.

Not only are they likely to live in houses of a similar age, but they may have done some research of their own!

If they are recent purchasers they may have been told the original age of the house, and this method requires very little effort.

Alternative options

If you are in the process of buying a house, it might be worth asking your seller or their agent. When putting a house on the market, sellers are required to complete a ‘seller’s property information form’. These can contain the property’s age.

Alternatively, if you are taking out a mortgage on the house then the survey completed whilst processing this may contain the age of the property.

Furthermore, the local authority often has a record of any planning permission that has been granted on the property

Finding the age of older houses

Older homes are often harder to trace back to an original date of construction. The lack of public records and archives in previous centuries means that owners of older houses often have to adopt more abstract methods to identify this.

HM Land Registry offers public access to the 1862 Act Register. If you suspect that your house was built before this date, then this is an excellent resource. It contains historical information on people and over 2000 properties.

A further option is to check the archives of your local area. For example parish records, county record offices, or a nearby library. You could also check other historical records such as census returns. These were made at 10 year intervals between 1841 and 1911 to keep tabs on the population and their density. They could reveal the first mention of your address, and give a greater approximation of date.

Similarly, the UK has several historic records of houses that could be a good resource if you know what you are looking for. For example, if you are living in Wales, check out Cadw’s National Historic Assets of Wales. Or if you own property in England, you could look to see if your house is listed in Historic England’s National Heritage List for England.

Alternatively, you could get in contact with a local history society or amateur historian. If they are unable to pinpoint a specific date, perhaps they could take a look at the architecture to give an approximate time of construction. Style and features can be a good giveaway of the age of a home, particularly the position of windows or type of roof.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will insurers tell you when your house was built?

Yes, some insurers do provide this information. However, it is not entirely reliable as it is based on your postcode area as opposed to the specific property. The methods above will give you a more accurate idea of the age of your house.

Should I avoid buying an old house?

Not at all, this is an unnecessary precaution! Choosing a house should be based on personal preference. Although it is important to remember they may be more work and can be less energy efficient. Therefore, they can present a different set of challenges compared to new houses.

The Bottom Line

There are many reasons why an individual is seeking to find out the age of their property. Although this can be tricky sometimes, the resources laid out in this article should hopefully highlight effective methods to get the answers you need!

All the online tools available to sellers today make it difficult to identify the true price of your property.

However, there are hacks to intelligently assess the value of your home and determine market competition, as well as ensure that you get the best price if you use a we buy any house service, speaking of which, make sure to read our we buy any home reviews.

Keep reading to get the inside scoop on the UK property sellers market.

House Value Calculation

How accurate are value estimators and house price calculators?

There’s no such thing as a free lunch! Many prospective sellers are drawn in by the idea of a free house valuation, known as an AVM.

However, these are based on a myriad of factors that are considered by an intelligent algorithm to determine an approximate value. Often the figure is higher than expected, a relief in the eyes of sellers, but not to buyers!

To get a more specific idea regarding the value of your property, consider the following:

Looking at similar properties and what they have recently sold for

Look at similar properties that are failing to sell

Interviewing local estate agents

Examining other facts and evidence in the market

This will save you from the temptation of asking for more than a property is worth. Setting your sights on the figure calculated by an AVM can mean that sellers sit on the market for too long. Often this comes coupled to a reduced market price and a long drawn out selling process, which is stressful for all involved!

Often, this disadvantages sellers because it limits their ability to negotiate a selling price assertively. There is also a high probability of underselling, particularly if you are keen to get the property off the market.

How much is my house worth today?

When considering this, keep in mind that the most important factor determining property value is what a buyer is willing to pay for it. No more, no less! The best way to get an idea of this is to compare your property to other similar homes currently for sale.

Place yourself in the shoes of the buyer – when you were looking to buy, what were your considerations?

What was your budget?

What kind of property did you need?

What area were you looking to buy in?

Buyers will always put in offers on the properties that meet their needs and give the greatest value for money. Essentially, this becomes one big comparison shopping exercise! Once you understand that prices are driven by competition, you will realise that market value is not static.

Instead it changes constantly based on competing properties entering and leaving the market.

However, a buyer’s offer price is not static either. In the property market, prices are haggled and can be influenced by a good sales agent. The golden technique is to create an air of excitement and competition about your property. This encourages buyers to pay more and emphasises the importance of selling with the right agent.

Common myths about value

There is no relationship between cost and market value. To clarify, ‘cost’ refers to the amount you paid for the property, as well as any capital improvements made by you to the house. Whilst ‘market value’ refers to the amount buyers are willing to pay that will generate a sale in a reasonable time. This is because value is determined by what an individual gets out of a home, not what money is put into it.

Undeniably, improvements usually do add value to a home. However, it is important to remember that this value can be subjective. What adds value to you may not necessarily add value for a buyer. In fact, the major factors that affect the price that a buyer will offer is as follows:

Amenities

Condition

Size

Location

Location and size in particular are the determining factors for the value of your property. On the other hand, amenities and condition play a major role in determining the ‘saleability’ of your property compared to other similar homes.

How to intelligently research open market value

When determining a property price, it is crucial to perform fact based research. This is the greatest insight into the minds of buyers. A good starting point is as follows:

What similar homes have sold for, both historically and recently

What homes you are competing against

What similar homes are failing to sell

Easily accessible tools for this kind of search include Rightmove and Zoopla.

Begin by looking at nearby houses – within 0.25 miles in urban areas and 5-10 miles in rural areas. Look for properties with similar numbers of bedrooms and amenities.

Remember, it is also possible to find specific prices that someone paid for any home in England and Wales via HM Land Registry.

This is your competition, and their asking prices should fall into a relatively narrow range. It is important to take note of any anomalies in prices, chances are these properties are overpriced or that something is wrong with the property! Keep in mind, property valuation is just applied guesswork.

The issue with free evaluations from most estate agents

Free estate agency evaluations have created an environment that confuses both buyers and sellers. Sellers will usually choose the estate agent that gives the highest number for their property value, in the hope of maximising the amount they will get from selling their home. Unfortunately, this means that most estate agents offer an inflated sense of property value, and then lack the competency to sell at this price.

Therefore, it is important to stay aware and remember that estate agents have no control over property value. In fact, the market is the only thing determining its value! However, overpricing is a tried and tested tactic that wins business.

To avoid this, give the agent permission to tell you the brutally honest truth. Let them know that you are not basing your representation decision on who will give you the highest price.

The Bottom Line

There are a range of tools available to sellers to help determine the approximate value of their property. Just bear in mind the key takeaway message, that the most important factor determining property value is what a buyer is willing to pay for it!

It can be hard to find a home that entirely suits your needs. The greatest hack to get your ideal location, design, and amenities is to build your own.

However, there are a number of considerations that must be taken into account.

Read on to find out all you need to know regarding the cost of building a house.

House Build Costs Explained

What is your budget?

This is the first step in establishing the sort of house you can build as well as the amenities and condition of this property. Consider the following:

Your savings

Equity obtained from selling your current home

Funds available from a self-build mortgage

Funds from using a we buy your house service to sell your property.

Once you have a ballpark idea of budget, you must consider the price of land in the area you are looking to build. Account for the price of a site, legal fees, and stamp duty, gaining your information from hmrc.gov.uk or plotfinder.net. Often it is a good idea to set aside an additional 10-15% as a contingency for unplanned costs and architectural design fees, which are usually around 5% of the total build cost.

Construction system costs

The term construction system refers to the structural walls of a house, which is usually around 15% of the total build cost. This consists of concrete blockwork, that make up the external walls and ground floor partitions, as well as timber partitions for any upper floors. Keep in mind that oak frame construction is half as expensive again.

Additionally, one must consider insulation, which manufacturers estimate to be anywhere from 5-20% more expensive than the blockwork itself. Not only does this increase the speed of build, but will save money in the long run by improving energy efficiency.

Also, when looking for a plot, look out for one that is connected to mains electricity services. Otherwise, an additional £10,000 will be needed to connect your home to water, sewers, gas, electricity, and phone lines.

Foundations costs

This is one of the few costs that remains fairly consistent, regardless of the size of your future house. The price per square meter is dictated by your local building control surveyor. An engineered foundation solution may be necessary, in which case, allocate approximately £10,000 of your budget for this.

However, there are numerous variables which will influence the cost of foundations. For example, proximity of the site to a ready-mix concrete plant or tip. Furthermore, keep in mind that a flatter site will save a great deal of your budget, since the amount of landscaping needed is reduced.

Exterior costs

Standard stock bricks usually come at a price of £350 per 1000, rising to £900 per 1000 in the case of character bricks. Primarily because the unusual shape of character bricks requires additional labour for the construction worker, who must arrange the irregular patterns together. As such, natural stone is a more expensive option than stock bricks.

If you are looking to cut costs, consider sand and cement render on your blockwork. Or perhaps take different path and build using dense timbers such as oak, cedar, or chestnut. Often these are comparable in cost to a good quality brick, and bring a sense of character to the property.

Roof costs also vary considerably, depending on the structure, insulation, coverings, detailing, felt and battens. A low pitched roof is very cost effective, since the raft lengths are shorter and therefore use less timber. Furthermore, the simpler the roof shape the less it will cost, since these are quicker to build. For example, smaller tile formats demand more labor and production time.

Interior Costs

Floor, walls and ceiling costs

One of the most important decisions in building a house, the importance of choosing the right flooring must not be overlooked. The standard specification is softwood joists covered with chipboards, costing roughly £16-19 per square metre. Engineered joists or concrete structures will raise this cost, but offer enhanced strength.

The standard ceiling height is roughly 2.4m, and this is usually the cheapest option. For example, adjusting the ceiling height by just 100mm alters the cost by 1.6%. Bear in mind that a ceiling covering is usually priced around £20 per square metre.

Wall finishes however, are more consistent in cost, whether wet plaster or dry-lined. There are standard, good, and excellent specifications, priced at £64, £80, and £96 respectively per square metre

Windows and door costs

Similarly, windows and doors are cost according to standard, good, and excellent specifications. The approximate cost of a standard specification lies around £16,000, and this can nearly double in the case of an excellent specification. The difference in price is down to the quality of materials used in construction.

Kitchen build cost

Depending on your design specification, kitchen costs can vary widely from £14-£120 per square metre. Overall costing between £3000-£7000 depending on the material you are looking for.

Bathroom build cost

This is primarily dependent on the type of room you are looking too build. A bathroom consists of a WC, basin, bath, plumbing etc.) costs anything from £3500-£8700. A shower room accounts for a shower instead of a bath, raising the general cost to £3700-£9200. Whilst a cloakroom typically consists of just a WC, basin, and plumbing, therefore is priced lower at £1900-£3600.

Electrical costs

Luckily, these do not vary a great deal from house-to-house other than by scale. Generally these cost around £50 per square metre, but remember any extra fittings such as an alarm system will require an additional allowance.

Extra fees

It can be easy to overlook small costs once the big structures have been accounted for, but do not forget that the following must also be considered:

Topographical survey: £350-£500

Structural Engineers’ Fees: £400-£500

Planning Application Fees: £462

Building Regulations Fees: £500-£1,000

Warranty: Approximately 1% of contract value

Self Build Insurance: Usually 1% of the predicted build costs

Demolition Costs: £5,000-£10,000

External Works: Roughly 15% of total build cost

The bottom line

Starting the process of building your own house can be daunting initially, but worthwhile in the long run. It is possible to get your dream features with appropriate planning and costing!

When you have finally found your dream home, making an offer can be an exciting but nerve wracking step.

Luckily, there are some steps you can take that will make the entire process run smoothly, and feel reassured that your money is going into a safe investment.

Tips on Making an Offer on a House

Before submitting an offer

Research similar properties in the area

Look into the asking and sold prices of similar properties in the area (in terms of type and size). This enhances your understanding of the local market. Hopefully this will reassure you in knowing you are paying an appropriate price for your house.

Quick note: If you’re planning on buying a new house, you’ll likely need to sell your old house fast – if you need help with that make sure to look at We Buy Any House UK.

Have your finance, documents, and identification prepared

Before you begin your property search you should have an idea of where you are going to source your money. For example, through a mortgage, savings, equity from previous properties, or a loan. This should be documented, as this proves you have sufficient funds to purchase the property. You will be asked to show this.

With a mortgage, it makes sense to speak to your advisor and outline a mortgage agreement in principle. This is coupled to ensuring you have enough money to secure the deposit for the house. With this in place, sellers will look favourably upon your offer, already putting you ahead of the competition.

It is now a legal obligation for estate agents to perform customer due diligence checks on those attempting to buy property. Normally this involves asking you for some personal details, and checking your identification. Therefore, your driving license, and preferably passport are likely to be requested.

Prepare a bidding strategy

Potential buyers essentially have two strategies when it comes to preparing a strategy for bidding. On the one hand, you could make your initial offer the most you could offer for the property.

This states your stance as a serious buyer, and is useful when securing properties you really want. Opt for this when you want to avoid a drawn out negotiation strategy.

On the other hand, it can make sense to go in with a lower offer in an attempt to save some money. This has the added benefit of giving you some space to negotiate with the sellers in the event you cannot agree on a price.

Be prepared to use both of these strategies depending on the property, and make sure to take your position into consideration. If you are in a rush to move for example, the first strategy is better. Make sure that you don’t offer more than the property is worth, or more than you can afford.

Making an offer

Usually this is done by calling your estate agent, or going into their office.

However, it is also wise to have the offer in writing so that it is on record, usually this is done through email.

If you have taken the steps above then you will be well prepared for any questions they might have, such as where the money is coming from and how quickly you are able to proceed with the transaction.

Most buyers find this to be the most stressful part of the process of buying a house, but it doesn’t have to be. There are some simple steps you can take to guarantee that your offer is taken seriously.

State your position

First time buyers really stand out to sellers, as they have no chain. In the event that the seller is looking to move soon and you are in this position, be sure to make it clear since this can make you stand out from others that have made offers.

Build relationships

By forming a good relationship with your estate agent, you are more likely to be in the know than other potential buyers. Not only will they offer you good advice, but they might give you priority over others in terms of viewings. This is best done face-to-face rather than over the phone, so that they are able to put a face to your name and remember you.

Act fast

The property market is ever moving, and acting fast will help ensure you get what you want. Sellers are often busy, and will usually just show interest in people that can prove they are proactive. If you feel confident about a property then do not hesitate. Get a viewing in as soon as possible and prove that you are a serious contender

Name your price

A bit of back-and-forth negotiation with a seller is normal and expected when buying a property. However, if you start with too low a price, expect to meet some resistance and tension. This can paint you in a negative light in the eyes of the seller. It would be a shame to lose your dream house over something that is preventable.

After the offer is accepted

Congratulations! Many buyers are pleased to know that once the offer is accepted then the most stressful part is over. However, it is important to remember that nothing is legally binding until contracts have been exchanged between you and the seller.

There is always a risk that the seller could take the property off the market and back out, or even that someone comes in with a higher offer at the last minute. Luckily, the chances of this are slim and can be reduced further by contacting the seller and requesting the property is taken off the market.

Ensure that you set a realistic target date for exchanging the contract, and maintain good relations with your estate agent. It is important to stay in the loop to ensure things are progressing smoothly.

The bottom line

Ultimately, buying a property can be stressful, but there are always actions that can be taken to ensure the process works in your favour. The most important thing is to stay aware and be proactive. Good luck and happy house hunting!

Buying a house is one of the biggest decisions an individual can make.

However, it can be a game of psychology based on bluffs and tactics, and indeed the stakes are high!

Therefore, it is important to be well equipped with some probing questions so that you can play the game and find the right property for you.

It also might be worth looking into a We Buy Any Property service, if you plan on selling your current house to buy a new one.

Buying a House (Questions)

Why is the owner selling?

Although no agent is obligated to tell you this, their answer can hint at the possibility of negotiation. For example, if the seller is moving overseas, they might be keen to sell and therefore accept a lower offer.

If you were buying the house, is there anything you would want to know?

With this question, you could find out potential drawbacks that might influence your decision to buy. It is best to pose this question to those who have no reason to mislead you, for example neighbours or local shop owners. Best to find out before it is too late!

How much money has the property lost in value over the last 5 years?

Yes, estate agents hate this question! A quick search of the Land Registry website should reveal the previous prices the property has sold for. If there has been a significant drop in price it is well worth asking why.

Are there any plans for the local area that could affect me as a homeowner?

The sooner you ask this question, the better, because this could make or break your decision to buy. Or at least how much you offer the seller. If the reason you fell in love with a house was the sweeping views from the garden, would you still buy if construction work was going on?

How long has the property been on the market?

This is one of the most powerful questions available to you. If a property is for sale for longer than three months, it could be overpriced. Equally, prospective buyers may have identified an issue with the house that you have overlooked. In many cases, if the property is on the market for a long time, the seller is willing to take a lower price.

What is the lowest price the sellers are willing to negotiate?

Something that is always worth asking is the flexibility the sellers have with regards to price. Some are more willing to negotiate than others. Furthermore, agents working on commission can be keen to disclose this information provided they know the sellers bottom line.

How long have the owners lived there?

If the owners have lived there for just a short period of time, this can be a red flag to buyers. It is possible there is something wrong with the house, or something in the area that is driving them away. Equally, they might just enjoy a change of scene!

Does the property change hands regularly?

If the property changes hands regularly, this could be another warning sign. It is rare for a property to be repeatedly put on the market unless there is something that is unattractive to prospective buyers or owners.

How was the asking price decided?

A key point to be aware of is the tendency of estate agents to overvalue house prices in order to boost business and client numbers. Equally, the seller themselves may be overvaluing the house. If this is the case, the agent might disclose this to you. A good agent will also provide you with justification for the pricing. However, this question might be best answered by a quick search of similar houses in the area.

What other offers have been made?

Even if the agent has had other offers, he might not disclose the price of these offers to you. Primarily because this creates a sense of competition amongst potential buyers, which can prompt them to offer more. However, if you can find out about the other offers, it sheds some light on what you should offer. This could be incredibly important if you’re set on a property!

Are the sellers part of a chain?

Another bargaining question, because if the sellers have already found a new house to move to, they may be keen to sell as quickly as possible! On the other hand, if you must wait for them to find a new property you may find yourself in a position of uncertainty. Ensure you ask this question to clarify where you stand.

Is it possible to speak directly to the sellers?

Since it is the agent’s job to negotiate, they usually dislike this question, but they can’t stop you directly contacting the sellers. In fact this can be a huge advantage, because sellers are rarely industry professionals. Therefore they might be able to provide you with the honest answers. Ask about the favourite and least favourite parts of the house, or perhaps directly why they are moving.

Have any major works been conducted on the property?

If the answer is yes, probe deeper to be on the safe side. Request to see the relevant planning and building control consents. Alternatively, search online for planning applications (both granted and refused) from the local planning authority website. This removes the risk of any unknown surprises… imagine paying a fortune for a house then having to knock half of it down!

What can you tell me about the local neighbourhood?

You might not just be house shopping for yourself but your family as well. This question serves everyone’s interest, for example it can clarify the local school or public transport situation. Perhaps it might reveal some shocking crime statistics that you were otherwise unaware of. Either way, this is one of the most important questions you can ask the estate agent, just ensure you clarify what they say with an internet search too.

The bottom line

The chance of you being misled when buying a house are small, but never zero. Therefore, being ready to ask revealing questions is important, and asserts that you are serious about buying the property.

Statistics show that around 10% of British citizens own two homes. It’s a dream for many people to have a second home but sadly it’s not the reality for everyone.

There are various costs involved and some important considerations to make before committing yourself to two properties, especially if you require two mortgages to do so.

Buying a second home comes with a few differences when compared to buying your first home. It also comes with a few different requirements.

But, if you have the funds to cover the costs, own a clear credit score and have the ambition to take on a second property, it can really boost your income and work out as a great investment.

Important Considerations For Buying A Second Home

In every important financial decision, there are a few things you need to consider before making a financial commitment. Making an informed and clear decision is highly important when purchasing property as this is typically a lifetime investment.

Here’s a few questions to ask before you contact a mortgage lender or begin your property search.  

Why do you want a second property?

Can you afford a second mortgage?

What additional costs are there?

Will I need to renovate or redecorate?

Can I afford to furnish a second home?

What are the tax implications?

Is there potential growth in the property value?

We’ve put together this article on buying a second home to help you answer these questions and make a decision that is right for you.

What Type Of Mortgage Do You Need?

Unless you have money in hand to buy a second house, you’re going to need a mortgage. Therefore, you will need to be sure you can cover the extra monthly costs. Even if you have decided to rent out the property, you cannot solely rely on a rental income to cover your mortgage repayments.

There is also the option of using equity from your first property to purchase a second house. This could cover the deposit, or even a large sum of the property price. Covering at least the deposit on your second house can greatly reduce your mortgage payments.

Typically, you will need to consider the below to determine whether you could qualify for a second mortgage:

Do you have a deposit?

Do you have a good credit score?

Is your income enough to cover two mortgages?

What is your reason for buying a second house?

What Is The Purpose Of Your Second House?

There are a variety of reasons for buying a second house. It can be a great investment, an offer to help a loved one get into the property market, for business purposes or even a holiday getaway destination!

However, there are a few considerations to make depending on the purpose of your second house.

Business

Buying a second home for the business purposes, and partly residential, means the property will be classified as a mixed-use property.

Mixed use properties have lower stamp duty, but unfortunately this means higher business rates and other taxes.

Holiday Home or Letting

If you’re buying a second house for holidays, or to rent out to holidaymakers then you can get a normal residential mortgage. If you are planning to rent out the property for more than a few weeks a year, then you may need to apply a for a holiday let mortgage.

Renting out a holiday home can come with tax implications, but you if let it out for more than 105 days of the year, you may be able to claim allowances or reliefs.

A furnished holiday home can be classified as a business if let out for more than 210 days a year. This means that you can deduct your expenses from your rental income before paying for tax, even the interest on your mortgage!

If you’re considering the option of Airbnb, you will need to speak to your mortgage lender about the implications of this on your mortgage application. Lenders consider high guest turnover and short-term rentals as risky and most lenders will not offer a mortgage for this type of property. In some cases, you will have to apply for a ‘consent to let’.

Letting the property out to holidaymakers comes with its own risks and considerations. Firstly, the property needs to be appealing and be in a good location. You will be responsible for all the decorating, and any wear and tear. A holiday home should be redecorated at least once a year.

Holidaymakers will also expect all the necessary equipment and that the house is kitted out for their holiday. These are all costs that you need to consider before purchasing a second house for the purpose of holiday letting.

Letting

Letting out a second home is a great way to earn some extra income. In this case you will have to take out a buy-to-let mortgage as you are not allowed to let out a house on an ordinary homebuyer’s mortgage.  

With a buy-to-let mortgage you are required to put down 25% of the deposit and your interest rates will be higher than a standard mortgage rate.

Do your research and calculations to make sure the rental income covers the mortgage repayments, or that you are able to cover the remaining portion if not.

Letting a property comes with risks and extra costs. Maintenance and annually safety checks are the landlord’s responsibility, as well as having building insurance. Damages as well as wear and tear can be costly if you are not prepared.

Let-To-Buy

Let-to-buy means that you are letting out the property that you currently own, so that you can have the funds to purchase a new house. This typically happens if you are struggling to sell the house or you are hoping to keep it as an investment.

You also have the option of converting your residential mortgage on your first house to a buy-to-let mortgage. If you don’t want to switch your mortgage, then you need to approach your lender and ask for a ‘consent to let’.

Family

Maybe you’re purchasing a second home for your children or a relative. This would be considered your second residence and stamp duty will be charged.

Flip It

A popular option with investors is to purchase a house that requires renovations and repairs, fix it up, and then resell for a higher price. How good of an investment this can be, depends greatly on the property market at the time.

What Extra Costs Are Involved?

Stamp Duty

Every property purchase is required to pay stamp duty land tax. Stamp duty is determined on the property value and is increased with the property value.

A secondary residence adds an extra 3% surcharge onto the usual stamp duty price. This stamp duty has to paid on properties that are below £125,000, unlike with your first home stamp duty.

Stamp Duty example:

You purchase a second house at £750,000.

Stamp duty is paid at 3% on the first £125,000 (£3,750), 5% on the next £125,000 (£6,250), and 8% on the last £500,000 (£40,000).

This is a total of £50,000 for stamp duty.

Stamp duty is more expensive if you are buying a holiday home or a buy-to-let property. But, if you purchase a ‘moving’ home, like an RV or houseboat, then you won’t need to pay the extra 3% stamp duty surcharge.

Or, if you sell your first house within the first three years of buying your second house, you can qualify for a refund on the surcharge!

Capital Gains Tax (CGT)

Your main residence is not subject to capital gains tax should you choose to sell the property, even if you make a profit from the sale. However, if you decide to sell your second house then you will be liable for capital gains tax.

This is only if the property value has increased since your purchase. The growth in value is taxed and the CGT allowance will reduce the taxable amount. Make sure to consult with a financial advisor to work out exactly how much you will owe.

Income Tax

If you will be renting out your second house, then you will have to declare your rental income and will be subject to income tax. A Self-Assessment Tax Return will need o be filed.

Having a good accountant or financial advisor to help you through these taxes can help you avoid overpaying or missing tax breaks that you are entitled to claim.

Buying a second home clearly comes with added costs and extra responsibilities. However, if the time is right, it can be a great investment towards your future!

Getting into the property market is a dream of many, so if you have the opportunity to do so – grab it!

Selling a house is no simple task and the timeline is not guaranteed. There are a variety of factors that can influence the sale of your property and if you don’t know what is required then it can take a long time to get that sale. If you don’t understand the process, it can become quite frustrating.

So, how long does it take to sell a house in the UK?

It can take an average of up to 8 months to buy a house in the UK. However, this ranges for a variety of reasons. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to help you understand the process and timeline of selling a property and what can cause delays.

Timeline For Buying A House

While buying a house can seem like a daunting process, there are a few steps to follow.

Firstly, you will need to find a property that suits your needs and budget. This can take quite some time and definitely should not be rushed as buying a house is a big financial and personal commitment. View the property multiple times if you need to and be realistic about your decision.

Once you have found your ideal property, you will need to make an offer. Typically this will be done through an estate agent who is handling the sale of the property. Estate agents only charge fees to the seller of the property and take a commission percentage of the sale price.

Next, you will need to arrange a solicitor or conveyancer. They will handle all the legalities and arrange for the property ownership to be transferred into your name. You will also need to hire a surveyor to conduct a valuation on the property, and a property survey. This ensures there are no issues with the property condition or with the local council that could affect the price of the property or causes costly issues in the long run.

Now you can finalize the offer. At this point, you can negotiate the asking price with consideration of any issues found during the surveys. The lender could also determine the asking price to be too high compared to the property value, so this could affect your ability to qualify for the mortgage. It's often considered the most stressful stage of buying a house.

After ironing out all the details with the offer, you can contact your lender and finalize your mortgage. Don't forget to compare offers from other mortgage lenders to ensure you are getting the best deal! If you are having any doubts, this is the time to pull out of the deal. Going further in the process, and then changing your mind can lead to further costs.

It's time to complete the sale and exchange the contracts. Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you have read all the fine print and checked the details with your solicitor or conveyancer. If you have any queries, make sure you have them answered before committing. From this point onwards, you and the seller are bound to this sale. Sometimes the seller will ask for a holding deposit which ensures them of your intention to commit to the sale.

It's almost official. At this point, you will go through the final steps to conclude the sale. Money is exchanged, mortgage fees are paid, solicitor or conveyancers are paid, the sale is registered with the Land Registry by the solicitor or conveyancer, and sellers will need to pay their estate agents commission fee. If the residential property costs over £125,000, there are 14 days in which you have to pay Stamp Duty (this applies to England and Northern Ireland). Usually, this will be arranged by your solicitor or conveyancer. For properties in Wales, Land Transaction Tax has to be paid for properties over £180,000.

Lastly, moving! You will need to organize a removal company to get your goods to your new home. This is an exciting time and your opportunity to make the house your own. Moving on a weekday is cheaper, and removal companies can cost anywhere between £300 to £600.

What Factors Can Delay Buying A House?

If all goes well, you should be able to buy a house within 8 months in the UK. But as we can see, the process is complicated, and there are a variety of factors that can cause delays.

Finding a property 

Finding the house that suits your needs and budget can be a time-consuming process, but it is always best to make an informed and conscious decision before committing to a purchase. Never settle, but always be realistic.

Issues with your Mortgage

It's a good idea to get pre-qualified so that you know your budget and avoid future problems with the mortgage. But, when you are buying a property, the mortgage lender will conduct its own valuation to determine if the asking price is justified. If they deem the property value to be lower, they will afford you a mortgage based on their property valuation. This might change your decision on what home you will be able to afford. Mortgage offers only stand for up to 6 months so your purchase will have to be during this time or you will need to reapply.

Property Chains

If your property purchase is tied up in a property chain then the process can be much more complicated and lengthy. A property chain means that there are multiple people are buying and selling properties, and the purchases rely on the sales. therefore, if your seller is purchasing a new home using the money received from your purchase, this sale will have to be concluded in unison with your purchase. If the sellers' purchase falls through, they could pull out of the property sale. Chains can be complicated but are most of the time completely unavoidable.

Condition of the Property

During the sales process, issues can arise with the condition of the property. If this is the case, then repairs will have to be done to ensure that any underlying issues are taken care of and future costs are prevented.

Leasehold vs. Freehold

Typically the sale of a freehold property is less complicated than a leasehold purchase. Leasehold sales require more paperwork and take much longer.

Delays in the conveyancing process

The conveyancing process can be delayed for a number of different reasons. It's a complicated process that has to be done correctly. If there is a delay in instructing a solicitor or conveyancer, it can take much longer to get the process started. If there is a lack of communication, missing information, or incorrect documents then the process can take much longer than usual. Often these issues are beyond your control and can be caused along the property chain. The solicitor or conveyancer will also be responsible for obtaining FENSA and gas/electrical certificates and if there are any delays with these certificates, the entire process is delayed.

Delays in signing contracts

With other parties involved, there can be delays caused by the numerous documents that have to be signed by all parties involved. Make sure you are available to sign contracts and have them returned in due time.

Important ​Considerations To Make Before Buying A House

Buying a house can be overwhelming, especially if this is your first property purchase. We've put together a few important considerations to make before you go ahead with the house buying process.

Where do you want to live?

What property type are you looking for?

Can you afford the house you desire?

Are your requirements realistic?

Is now the right time in your life to buy a house?

Is the property market in favor of buyers?

Have you considered your limitations?

Can you qualify for a mortgage and how much can you qualify for?

Have you shopped around for the best mortgage deal?

Can you get a 'mortgage in principle'?

Can you afford the various fees that need to be paid during the buying process?

Can you afford a licensed solicitor or conveyancer?

Do you need to sell your property in order to buy a new house?

It's important to have a clear idea of what you are looking for, what you can afford, and what you will need to prepare for in the process of buying a house. 

This can help speed up the process so that you can buy a house within the average 8 months timeline.

You might be surprised to find out that it takes so long, but if all goes well then it's well worth the effort to find a place to call your own!

Selling your home can be a stressful and emotional time. Especially if you are selling a family home, or have a complicated sale to navigate.

Having someone who is knowledgeable in property sales to assist you through the process is truly advantageous. But if you are trying to cut costs, you might be wondering, 'why do I need a solicitor to sell my house'?.

Well, it is not a legal requirement to have a solicitor to sell your house. But whether you are buying or selling your property, it is a good idea to have a qualified professional to assist you with the conveyancing process.

Conveyancing is the process whereby property ownership is legally transferred from the seller to the purchaser. Conveyancers or solicitors prepare the sale agreement, conduct all property searches, and organize the required documentation to legally sell or buy the property.

Buying or selling property is one of the most stressful times in someone’s life and having a legal professional on your team can go a long way to making the process easier.

What Does A Solicitor Do When Selling A House?

A solicitor will assist with various tasks in the sales process, including:

Obtain Title Deeds

Legal advice

Carry out property searches

Negotiate a mortgage settlement figure if applicable

Draw up a sale agreement and distribute to both sides of the sale

Organize and agree on moving dates

Deal with the deposit

Prepare final statements

Approve the Deed of Transfer

Deliver property deeds to the relevant party

Settle outstanding balances

If you are considering conducting the conveyancing process yourself, here is a list of documents that you would need to get together for the sale of your house.

Benefits Of Using A Solicitor When Selling A House

More personal service

Someone to be with you throughout the house sale

Quicker sales process

Fewer errors in legalities

Extensive legal knowledge and on-hand advice

Up to date property sale information

Able to deal with more complex cases than conveyancers

Tighter security on your personal information

You will not be worried about facing expensive lawsuits in the future

Can I Sell My House Without A Solicitor?

Many people do choose to do the conveyancing on their own to save money. However, while some do manage to get this right, many fall back to hiring a professional to assist them due to how complicated the process can become.

Without prior experience, conducting your own conveyancing is not a good idea.

There are many procedures to follow, documentation to acquire, and unforeseen complications that can arise during the sales process.

Hiring a professional can go a long way to making the process smooth and speedy.

In most situations where a mortgage is involved, lenders will push for you to use a solicitor or a licensed conveyancer.

At the end of the day, it is possible to sell your house without a solicitor in most cases. But, hiring a legal professional will alleviate your stress, and reduce your risk of future lawsuits. It’s best to let the professionals do what they do best!

How Much Do Solicitors Charge To Sell A House?

Solicitors usually charge around £500 to £2000. The price will typically depend on the complexity of the sale.

A property that is a leasehold, will require more paperwork than a property that is freehold, and will cost you more in the long run.

Solicitors will charge clients either with a fixed fee, an hourly rate, or from a percentage of the property proceeds.

A conveyancing solicitor will generally be more expensive than a licensed conveyancer but they are also able to deal with more complicated sales.

Conveyance Solicitor vs. Licenced Solicitor

When you are selling your house, you can use either a conveyance solicitor or a licensed solicitor. They are both regulated professionals that deal with all the legalities of selling a house.

However, they are different in the fact that a licensed solicitor is qualified in law and specializes in conveyancing, and they can deal with a range of legal issues. While a licensed conveyancer is a legally qualified representative in property law specifically.

All conveyancers can legally handle property transactions, whereas solicitors do not always specialize in this area. They are generally more affordable than solicitors. But, with the extra cost, you will also gain broader property knowledge and advice.

A solicitor is a good idea if your property value is high, or if the sales process is going to be complicated, like with leasehold sales. They also offer a more individualized service so that you can feel more at ease with this already stressful process.

Licensed solicitors are required to disclose any fees they receive from estate agents, whereas conveyancers are not legally bound to do so.

Solicitors are also limited to acting on one side of the conveyancing process, whereas conveyancers can assist on both ends of the sale.

Regardless of whether you have decided to use a conveyance solicitor or a licensed conveyancer, please ensure that they are registered and licensed with the proper authorities.

Licensed solicitors should be members of the Law Society of England and Wales or the Law Society of Scotland. They should also be a member of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS).

Licensed conveyancers should be a member of the Council for Licenced Conveyancers (CLC).

Local (‘High Street’) or Big Firm (‘High Volume’) Solicitors

If you are searching Google for a solicitor, your results won’t necessarily show your local solicitors but will base the search on your needs, such as ‘cheapest solicitors’. These companies most likely won’t be local dealers and will most likely be from high volume legal firms.

Hiring a ‘high street’ or local solicitor offers one on one advice and more personal experience, however, they can be more expensive than ‘high volume’ firms.

These ‘high volume’ firms are sometimes called ‘conveyancing factories’ because they deal with hundreds of transactions every month. They have teams dealing with multiple property transactions and are overseen by conveyancers. The transaction process is faster and cheaper than ‘high street’ solicitors or conveyancers. However, the service is much less personal and you might not be dealing with a dedicated person and won’t have to deal with someone new each time you call.

For simple purchases, such as freehold property transfers, using a ‘high volume’ firm can save you time and money. These firms have systems in place to deal with these straightforward cases in no time!

If you are facing a complicated transaction, like a new-build property or leasehold, then it’s best to use a ‘high street’ firm so that you can deal with the complications personally with your solicitor.

Where To Find A Conveyancer Solicitor In The UK

Many people will get recommendations on a conveyancing solicitor from friends or family, or you can search for local solicitors in your area or ask your estate agent for recommendations.

Some real estate agencies have in-house conveyancers or preferred suppliers. However, while this can be tempting, this is often the most expensive route as estate agents can add extra charges for this.

Whatever you decide, research your options and read reviews online so that you can make an informed decision.

Top Tips For Choosing The Right Solicitor

Get Quotes

​Make sure that you receive a full quote before deciding on a solicitor. Get multiple quotes from multiple solicitors and ensure that the quote is itemized. This way you can see exactly where your money is going to, and who has the best rates around.

Watch Out For Up-selling

Some solicitors have extra fees added on for unnecessary services. If they have services offered on the quote for things that aren’t required in the sales process, inquire whether these are essential to the process.

Penalties For Delays

Solicitors can add on extra charges if the sales process has been delayed past a certain time. This means that if any unforeseen circumstances delay the process, then you may face extra costs.

Fixed fees

This is the best option for avoiding unnecessary or unforeseen costs. Avoid solicitors charging per hour rates.

A ‘No Completion Fee’

Choose a solicitor who uses this policy. If there is no sale, there are no legal fees.

A Bigger Firm Is Not Always Better

Bigger firms are not always the best option. Local or smaller firms tend to offer more personal care and attention.

Recommendations From Family Or Friends

Maybe your friends or family have someone they have worked with before in the sale of their home. Getting recommendations from people you trust can help to find someone who is reliable and with a good track record. However, you will need to make sure that their situation is relative to your own and that the specific solicitor will be able to assist with your situation.

Ensure Registration With Authorities

As previously mentioned, solicitors have to be licensed with the Law Society. You can search the Law Society website to find a licensed solicitor.

So, we have concluded that you do not necessarily or legally need to hire a solicitor to sell your house and this can be done yourself.

However, it is easy to see that having someone to assist you with the legalities of the conveyancing process can go a long way to saving you time and money, and less stress during this sometimes complicated process.

Dealing with the sale or purchase of a property is already a stressful time in anyone's life and so having someone knowledgeable and an expert in this process is the better option.

Sometimes it's best to leave the professionals to do what they do best!

Losing a loved one is a difficult time and understanding what happens when you inherit a house with a mortgage can help you cope with the responsibilities ahead.

When someone passes away, their property and the remaining mortgage payments are handed over to the beneficiary. Sometimes there is life insurance or assets to cover the remaining mortgage, but if not, the responsibility of those payments becomes yours.

However, if you have inherited property with a mortgage, you have the option to sell the house, rent it out, or take out a new mortgage in your name and take over the property payments.

On a property mortgage, there is an agreed-upon amount that is paid on a monthly basis and your estate (the total value of your assets) is collateral for this loan.

If someone passes away, the monthly payments still have to be made on the property and an executor, will be responsible for carrying out the wishes of the deceased laid out in their will, and making sure their assets are distributed as intended.

Nothing can be done with the property until probate is complete which can be a lengthy process. Probate is the process whereby the executors settle the debts of the deceased, before handing over the inheritance.

​

Apply For Probate Or Letter Of Administration

The first thing you should do after someone has passed away is to determine if they have a will. Executors are named in the will and can apply for probate. An executor could be a solicitor, friend or family member.

What is probate? Probate is the judicial process where a will is proven in a court of law. If the probate is granted, the executor can go ahead and sort out the assets of the deceased. They determine the value of the assets, pay remaining debts, and organize the inheritances. This is not a quick process and can take anywhere up to a year to complete.

Without a will, known as ‘dying intestate’; the next of kin will need to apply for a ‘grant of admission’ with the courts. If they are successful, they’ll receive ‘letters of administration’ to prove their rights to the estate. However, in these cases, the law determines what is inherited.

Regardless if there is a will, all outstanding bills, and taxes owed on the property are paid off first.

Contact The Mortgage Lender

You should contact the mortgage lender as soon as possible. They need to know that the homeowner has passed away and that you have inherited the property and mortgage. They can then take the next steps, with probate, to deal with the assets and debts of the deceased.

Lenders have to deal with cases like this quite often and tend to be empathetic and understanding. Speak to them about holding off on repayments until the estate has been confirmed and the probate is complete.

Inheritance Tax

If you inherit a house, you have to pay inheritance tax on the deceased estate. You will not have to pay inheritance tax if the value of the estate is below £325,000., or if the deceased has left everything above this amount as your inheritance. The standard inheritance tax rate in the UK is 40%.

The estate is used to make the inheritance tax payment, organized by the executor. The executor will use the deceased’s remaining funds or sell their assets to raise funds for this payment.

If a mortgage is used to raise the funds for the inheritance tax payment, the beneficiary will have to sell equity in the property. In this case, the beneficiary can choose to pay the inheritance tax using their own savings.

The Estate Pays The Balance

When someone has passed away, the value of their estate is determined and is first used to pay off any outstanding debts, before being passed over to the beneficiaries.

If the value of the estate covers the remaining mortgage on the property, then you won’t have to make any repayments and can live rent and bond free! However, this must be confirmed in the will.

If there is a remaining mortgage on the property, these repayments fall on the beneficiary. If you've inherited property and want to take ownership, then it will be determined if you are able to make payments on the mortgage.

If the will does not state that the estate should cover the property mortgage, and you are unable to afford the repayments, then you may have to sell the house and use the proceeds from the sale to pay off the remaining mortgage. Any balance left after the mortgage and debt repayments will go to you as the beneficiary.

Mortgage Payments Are Inherited

If you have inherited a property with a mortgage, you have also inherited the mortgage payments. If the mortgage cannot be covered by the estate, you will have to take over all payments on the property, including the household bills.

Selling The Property

You have the option to sell the inherited property if you are unable to make payments on the mortgage. Whatever the reasons, the property is yours to sell.

The sale of the property will cover the outstanding debt and inheritance tax. The balance will be paid out to you, which, you could invest in another property.

Rent It Out

If you have taken on the mortgage payments for the property, then you are welcome to use the home as you wish. Renting it out can help boost your income and pay off the mortgage quicker.

In this case, you will have to organize a buy-to-let mortgage so that any profits retained from the property are declared for tax purposes.

Avoid Foreclosure

Initially, you will have some time to resolve outstanding debts as the mortgage is likely put on hold until the grant of admission has been finalized, but if the property mortgage has not been met, you could face repossession of the property.

To avoid this, you can sell assets to settle the mortgage, refinance the property and continue making payments yourself, sell the home quickly, use your savings or personal assets, or check the deceased life insurance terms.

Property With A Joint Mortgage

A joint mortgage means that you share ownership of the property with another person. This is commonly a spouse. Here you have a few choices.

In a joint tenancy situation, the other owner will inherit the property and the debts and payments. A spouse can reapply for a new mortgage.

If the tenancy is in common agreement, the portion owned by the deceased will go to their beneficiary. The property ownership can be transferred to the tenant or be sold to pay off debts.

Without a will, there will be a legal process to determine the rights to the property.

Inheriting A Property With A Sibling And Avoiding A Forced Sale

So, you’re inheriting a house with your sibling. You may have different views and your sibling may want to sell the house while you want to keep it in the family. But, can your sibling force the sale? No.

All shareholders have to give consent to sell the property.

With these inheritance situations, things can be a little more complicated. If the house is vacant, it’s common to sell the home and split the proceeds. There is also the option to rent out the property and share the income.

Regardless of the disagreement, no one person can force a sale. The portion of their shares can be sold, but you are not likely to find someone willing to purchase a portion of a house.

The sibling who is in favour of selling will have to go through the courts to get a court order to sell the house. They would have to have very good reasons for this to be granted. The other sibling will then have a chance to dispute the sale.

Sharing ownership is a peaceful and fair resolution and can be done in two ways. You can become joint tenants, where you have equal rights and if one sibling passes, ownership is taken by the remaining sibling.

The other option is to become tenants in common, where each sibling owns a defined portion of the home. Otherwise, if there is a sale, the proceeds are split by the percentage owned.

The process can be long and complicated, and there are a variety of factors that go into inheriting a house with a mortgage.

Is there a will, how much money is owed, is it jointly-owned, are you inheriting a house with siblings, and will you rent or will you sell?. You need to make an informed decision if you inherit a property.

Contact the mortgage lender to see if they can hold the repayments until the estate is finalized so that you have the time you need to make the right move. 

The post What Happens When You Inherit A House With A Mortgage? appeared first on Accelerate Homes.

Buying a home can be a complicated process and it can take longer than you might think. This is because buying a new home takes more than just a signature and a payment.

For all property purchases, there is a transfer process that must be followed. Ownership of a property must be transferred from the seller to the new owner, and a new title deed is issued in the new owner's name which ensures their rights to the property they have purchased.

What Is Conveyancing?

Conveyancing is the process of transferring legal ownership of a property from the seller to the buyer. It is an essential process that includes administrative and legal procedures to ensure that the property transaction is done legally.

This includes all the legal checks into the property ownership status, concludes title deeds, and the rights and responsibilities being transferred to the new owner.

While it is possible to take care of all these legal matters yourself, it is best to have specialist property lawyers or licensed conveyancers take care of the process for you. The smallest mistake or missing information could lead to complications with the property.

How Long Does Conveyancing Take?

Conveyancing generally takes around 8 - 12 weeks. This is dependent on certain factors and assuming there are no delays in the process.

Having knowledge of the conveyancing process and what could cause delays will go a long way to help the conveyancer complete the transfer in time. 

What Is The Process Of Conveyancing?

Pre-Contract > Mortgage Offer > Draft Contract > Searches and Surveys > Exchange to Completion > Completion Day > Post Completion

The pre-contract stage is when there is an offer submitted. From here, without a conveyancing chain or delays, the process should take twelve to fourteen weeks.

In the mortgage offer stage, you should get a mortgage Agreement in Principle (AIP) to cut down the time it takes to receive a mortgage offer. Your conveyancer will organize your mortgage offer and deal with the draft contract.

The draft contract requires information from various people regarding the property and seller requirements. This should take about a week.

Searches and surveys are conducted in the pre-contract stage. This is when the property’s condition is checked, and legal checks are carried out. Conveyancer searches can take up to 10 weeks depending on the condition of the property.

Once everything has been resolved, contracts can be exchanged and if you are a buyer, this is when you will transfer your deposit. Moving into the exchange to completion stage means conveyancers exchange contracts and you are now legally bonded to completing the transaction. A completion date can be set which would be a few days away, or up to several weeks depending on the circumstances of all involved.

Completion documents are finalized, and all legal checks are completed. Once everything is confirmed to be in order, the conveyancers prepare their final statements between buyer and seller.

On completion day, conveyancers organize the transfer of funds. Sellers typically vacate the property by lunchtime and buyers can collect the keys to their new home in the afternoon.

The conveyancer will conclude post-completion administration and send the necessary signed documents to register your purchase with the Land Registry, finalize any loose ends.

What Is The Conveyancer's Role?

A conveyancer is responsible for assisting you with the legalities of your property purchase or sale. This includes reviewing all legal documentation and proving legal advice where necessary.

If there are any issues with the required documents, this can delay the process and a conveyancer will be responsible for sorting out any problems so that the sale can move forward.

Conveyancers also carry out searches on the property and grounds including boundaries, rights of way, any disputes or planning constraints, etc. Depending on the property location and if it is freehold or leasehold, there may be more searches required. All the information collected during these searches is vital to the future owner of the property.

The final stages of the conveyancing process are to agree on a completion date when the property will be transferred from seller to buyer. The conveyancer's exchange contracts, arrange for the release of the mortgage funds and conclude the entire process of purchasing your property.

They also continue to finalize the property purchase after you have moved in by making sure the relevant documentation is filed, all legalities are finalized, and the transfer of the title deed is registered with the Land Registry.

Conveyancers should be registered with either the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or the Council for Licenced Conveyancers (CLC).

 What Is A Solicitor, And Do I Need One?

A conveyancing solicitor or a conveyancer can be asked to oversee the entire transfer process. They do not need to be a fully qualified lawyer, but they are licensed to handle title transfers. A conveyancer is trained and qualified to handle real estate transactions and can offer professional legal advice on title transfers and conduct the legalities of the process.

While a conveyancer is a legally qualified representative in conveyancing, a solicitor is more of a general practitioner. A solicitor specializes in conveyancing and holds a practicing certificate for law. However, all conveyancers can legally handle the property transaction process, not all solicitors specialize in this area.

Conveyancers tend to be more affordable, while conveyancing solicitors can offer more general property-related advice (like tax affairs information), which comes with the added cost. The choice depends on your legal needs and budget.

Hiring conveyancing solicitors is a good idea if the property value is high, if the sale process is going to be complicated (as with subdivisions etc), or if you are looking for a more individualized process. If you don’t mind the extra cost, a solicitor can offer broader legal knowledge and advice, a smooth transaction, and tighter security on your private information.

What Conveyancing Fees Need To Be Paid?

There are necessary fees that need to be paid for the services of the conveyancer or solicitor. They are the most important fees in your house buying process.

The fee can be a set price, or you could be charged a percentage of the property value. The cost can be around £500 or anything up to £1,500, so you will need to remember to include this in your budget.

If you are buying and selling a property, then utilize the same conveyancer for the other transaction and negotiate the fees. It is best to keep the same person along with you throughout the process.

What Are The Most Common Reasons For Delay?

There are several factors as to why the conveyancing process could be delayed. There could be an issue with the title deeds, missing information or important documentation, issues with the mortgage of the buyer, or having to wait for funds to be released. It is a complicated process, but it must be done correctly to avoid legal issues in the long run.

These are the main reasons for delays in the conveyance process:

Issues with the Title Deed, such as missing or conflicting information

Requiring additional information on the property

Complications with the buyer’s mortgage

Waiting for funds to be released

Shared ownership properties

Seller purchasing a property that is still being built

Delays caused by others within the chain

What Is A Conveyancing Chain?

A conveyancing chain is the ‘chain’ of transactions where multiple people are buying and selling properties, and its purchase relies on the sale.

To use an example, Max is buying a flat from Sally. Sally will be using the money from this sale to purchase a property from Bill.

Bill will then use this money to purchase a new home for his family from Helen. Helen is moving in with her family.

Sally’s purchase relies on the sale from Max, and Bill’s purchase relies on his sale with Sally.

Max is at the bottom of the chain, and the chain ends with Helen because her move does not rely on the sale.

How Does A Chain Delay The Process?

The more links added to the chain, the longer the process can take, and the more complications can be met along the way.

Should there be any complications with one link, it can affect the whole chain. If a purchase in the chain falls through, this can lead to complications with other sales in the chain.

How Can I Speed Up The Conveyancing Process?

​Communication

Make sure you are up to date with everything in the process. Don’t wait for their call, pick up the phone, and make sure the conveyancer, your agent, and your buyer or seller do not need anything more from you. Ask your conveyancer to keep you CC’d on all correspondence. Communication is key!

Upgrade To A Full Homebuyers Survey

A valuation report and a full survey (or Home Buyer’s Survey) are two different things. Upgrading to a full survey will highlight any property defects. The extra cost will be worth it for peace of mind on a sound investment.

Plus, the information highlighted on the survey can be used by the buyer to negotiate a better price or have the defects repaired before completion of the sale.

Avoid Chains

Unfortunately, most of the time a chain is unavoidable, but if your agent advises you that there is ‘no chain’, then the conveyancing process will move faster. 

Find A Conveyancer Who Holds A Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS)

This CQS accreditation is in recognition of exceptional service in conveyancing and this means they can do their job quickly and efficiently. Another good qualification to look out for is Lexcel.

Be Organized

Keep track of all your relevant documents, planning permissions, and guarantees for work done on the property. Not having these easily accessible and organized can lead to a lot of stress during the sales process.

So this process of conveyancing can take up to 12 weeks but can be delayed for several reasons, some of which are out of our control. Follow the tips provided on how to speed up the process and assist your conveyancer where possible. 

If you are selling a house in the UK, then there is more than just the conveyancing process to take into account. Check out this article on 'how long does it take to sell a house in the UK' for more information on the entire property sales process.

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Firstly, to understand equity release, you need to know 'what is equity'?

Equity is the market value of your property minus any outstanding mortgage payments or debts. Therefore, if you purchased a property for £250 000, and you have an outstanding mortgage of £50 000, then you would have £200 000 equity.

As you make payments on your mortgage, and as your property value increases, so will your equity. Your mortgage does not need to be fully paid off.

So, why would you release equity?

Well, perhaps you have left it too long to downsize and need extra cash, maybe you need a retirement income, or maybe you want to renovate. If you are over 55 years old, you can have your equity released and use it for whatever you may need.

However, this is not without risks and it can be very costly. So, it's a good idea to completely understand equity release before deciding to commit to a scheme.

What Is Equity Release?

Release of equity is a way for the older generation, who do not have enough savings, to get their hands on some cash. It’s an alternative to having to sell their homes and move away from a property that would most likely hold sentimental value.

This is a way for over 55-years old to be able to boost their finances by extracting cash from their home. You can take a loan against your property, either in a lump sum or several installments with interest, or as a combination of both. The amount is then paid back when the property is sold.

This is, however, an expensive way to get money in your pocket and you need to understand the in’s and out’s entirely before committing to equity release. Getting independent financial advice is crucial.

Most people use equity release as a way to better their retirement, make home improvements or are just in need of some quick cash. What you use the money for, is entirely up to you.

There are two forms of equity release, the most popular is a lifetime mortgage, and the other is a home reversion scheme. The exact amount of equity released will depend on your age and personal circumstances.

Equity release means you are agreeing to a mortgage that won’t be paid off until your death. If you have no dependents and need some cash for whatever reason, then equity release can help you. Though it is expensive, it’s a good way to get your hands on some cash.

However, if you have dependents, this means their inheritance will generally be less than you had intended. If leaving behind something for your family is a priority to you, then you may want to seek other options.  

Use an equity calculator will allow you to find out if you are eligible for equity release, and provide you with an estimate on the amount you could borrow. An online releasing equity calculator is instant and obligation-free.

How Much Interest Do You Pay On Equity Release?

Over and above any initial set-up fees, there are also interest rates to consider.

As of January 2020, equity release interest rates were at their lowest in five years. Defaqto found the market average interest rate for 65-year-old to be at 4.55%. How much interest you build is dependent on how long it takes before you sell your home, pass away, or move into long-term care.

With a roll-up lifetime mortgage, your interest will be ‘rolled-up’ and compounded each month or every year, increasing with the value of your home. This means your debt increases quite significantly.

What Types Of Equity Release Are There? 

There are two types of equity release plans, lifetime mortgages and home-reversion schemes. ​

​Lifetime Mortgages 

The most common option is a lifetime mortgage which is available if you are over 55 years old. This is when you take out a loan secured on your home, provided the property is your main residence and you will retain ownership. You can choose to make repayments or let the interest roll-up.

If you decide to roll-up your interest then your interest is calculated on an ever-increasing total which is only repaid when the property is sold. The good thing is, you are guaranteed against negative equity and you will never owe more than the value of your home.

However, some companies now offer for you to pay all or some interest, and others will let you pay off the interest and capital. This varies according to the lender.

The maximum percentage that can be loaned is up to 60% of the value of your property. This is dependent on your age and property value. The percentage increases with the age that you decide to take out lifetime mortgages.

If you plan to pay back the loan early, be sure to read the fine print as this can incur early repayment costs. If you keep the loan until your passing, a large portion of the sales proceeds will be kept, and will not leave much for your family.

There are a few types of lifetime mortgages which include; roll-up, draw-down, enhanced, protected, combined, interest-only, or flexible.

Home-Reversion Plans

A home-reversion scheme is when an equity release company buys a fixed share of your property, in return for a lump sum or regular payments. You will need to be over 65 years old to qualify for a home reversion plan.

The money provided is a tax-free, at below market value, sometimes even half the actual value. Typically the amount released is between 20% to 60% of your property's market value.

They will then wait for the value of their shares to increase. The company will not get any money back until the property is sold, but they are guaranteed their share from the sale.

You can live on the property until your death, and you will be responsible for the maintenance and insurance, or you can move to residential care, after which the property will be sold and the proceeds will be split by percentage. If your property value increases, so will the amount.

You can ring-fence a percentage of your property for later use or for inheritance. The plans come with a 'no negative equity guarantee' which means that when the property is sold, all fees will have been paid, even if the amount left is not enough to cover the loan. Neither you or your estate will be liable to make any further payments. This is regulated by the Equity Release Council (ERC).

What’s the difference?

The two major differences between a lifetime mortgage and a home reversion scheme are home ownership, and interest payable.

With a lifetime mortgage, you will still own 100% of your property. With a home reversion plan, you will have to sell part or all of your property to an equity release company. You will, however, be able to remain living in your home.

With a lifetime mortgage, your compound interest is built up over the years which means the amount to be repaid will increase. With a home reversion plan, there is no interest or repayment. The equity release company will allow for interest when they purchase their shares on the property.

Is Equity Release Regulated?

Providers are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and you should choose a company that is a member of the Equity Release Council. Their standards and principles include a ‘no negative equity guarantee’ which assures you that you will never pay back more than the value of your property.

You can check with the Equity Release Council (ERC) to confirm that the person or company you are working with for your equity release is a registered associate.

What's The Catch With Equity Release Plans?

It’s important to be informed and weigh up the pros and cons before committing to equity release schemes. It will cost you money, and the amount you owe can grow each year.

The interest and amount you release will have to be paid back when you pass away or move into long-term care. The proceeds from the sale of your home will be put forward to cover these costs.

This means that if you are depending on this money for inheritances, it will lower the value you leave behind. Before going ahead, make sure you know exactly how much it will cost you in the long run so that you can make an informed decision.

Equity release funds can also affect entitlement to state benefits, and these plans can be difficult to cancel. It can be an expensive task if you change your mind at a later stage so before you commit, please read all the fine print and consult with a professional financial advisor.

Your advisor should be on the Financial Conduct Authority register and a member of the Equity Release Council in order to give you the correct and best advice.

Here are the top questions to ask yourself before you commit:

Are you eligible?

What you need the money for?

What type of scheme will work for me?

How much will it cost?

How will this affect my family?

Did I get professional advice?

Have I taken the time to consider this carefully?

Will The Covid-19 Pandemic Affect Equity Release Schemes?

With the ongoing global crisis, we are all taking stock of our investments and making financial rearrangements to keep us going. Prior to the pandemic, the ERC required its customers to receive face-to-face legal advice, which they have now removed to enable continued and greater access to their services.

There are mandatory contact points (written, documented video, or phone calls) between solicitor and customer which will have to be adhered to in order to release equity. Once the restrictions have been lifted, face-to-face legal advice will again be compulsory.

Institutions are now offering desktop valuations for lifetime mortgages, and some customers are being offered financial relief on their payments.

So, releasing equity can be a good way to get your hands on some quick cash in your retirement, but this doesn't come without risks.

If you are considering an equity release plan then it is important to consult with a professional financial advisor. 

Make sure you understand all the risks that come with equity release so that you do not find yourself or your family in an unexpected financial position.

The post How Does Equity Release Work? appeared first on Accelerate Homes.

Are you in a rush to sell your house in Sheffield? You've come to the right place!

Accelerate Homes partner with a number of cash buyers who specialise in buying property in Sheffield and across the United Kingdom for quick equitable cash! Our partners streamline the process of selling your home by making an immediate purchase, and have often completed proceedings in just seven working days. There is simply no better option if you need to sell your house fast!

This home selling guide will open your mind to the alternative sale solutions available to you, detail the necessary steps to sell your house quickly and outline the risks to be wary of when selling to a cash property buyer.

We hope our Sell House Fast Sheffield guide will assist you to sell your home quickly and easily.

Sell your house fast in Sheffield

We can connect you with the best cash property buyers in the UK. Sell in under 30 days.

Get a Cash Offer

Sell House Fast Sheffield

The Process

Selling your home through a real estate agent is likely to secure the best market price. However, this process is not the best option if you are looking to sell your house fast.

It is a common occurrence for properties to remain on the market unsold for months on end. As of February 2017, the average home in Sheffield was on the market for 24 weeks. That’s a total of 166 days spent anxiously awaiting interest, plus another four weeks to complete the process once a buyer is secured.

If you’re short on time, then this option is just not for you!

Furthermore, estate agents often deal with multiple clients and chains meaning you can be caught up in a backlog, which could slow down the whole process even further.

An estate agent also does not come cheap. You will typically be charged 1.3% of your sale price, in addition to other transaction fees, such as solicitor costs. These costs start to pile up, especially when you’re continuing to pay your mortgage while you wait for a sale (see our worked example here).

In the case that you need to sell your Sheffield house fast, then a cash buyer could be the answer for you. However, before rushing into anything, we advise undertaking research to protect yourself from fraudulent buyers in the market. A great place to start is by reading our guide on avoiding quick house sale scams.

At Accelerate Homes we pride ourselves on a professional, transparent and customer focused service. Unlike other fast home buyers, our cash buyer partners refuse to rely on third party lenders or outside investors. They have the legitimate financial means to buy your house quickly for cash and have designed a process that’s simple, hassle free and totally explicit.

Sell House Fast Sheffield

How it Works

Step #1- Receive a no Obligation Quote

Just complete our get a quote form or call us to get a free quote. We will connect you with one of our recommended partner within 24 hours to discuss your needs, answer any concerns and provide a cash estimate of your property. Their initial cash offer will be calculated using data on the current local real estate market, in conjunction with their extensive knowledge and experiences in buying property in Sheffield.

Step #2- Free Independent Surveyor and Final Offer

Provided you are pleased with the cash estimate; they will organise for an independent surveyor to visit your house and value the property. Our recommended partner will cover all expenses. Upon receiving the RICS report, the buyer may adjust their cash estimate before making their fixed final offer. In the case you are not happy with the fixed final offer, you are by no means obligated to proceed, and you will not be liable for any administration fees.

Step #3- Acceptance of Final Offer and Completion Date

Assuming you are pleased with the final offer and are ready to proceed, we will arrange your solicitors and prepare contracts. If you would rather select your lawyer, you can do so and the cash buyer will still cover your expenses. At this point, the buyer will also confirm the completion date according to your schedule. Our partners commonly complete sales in 28 days. However, we are entirely flexible and can accommodate your needs, whatever they might be.

Sell your house fast in Sheffield

We can connect you with the best cash property buyers in the UK. Sell in under 30 days.

Get a Cash Offer

Sell House Fast Sheffield 

What Makes us Unique?

Accelerate Homes, in conjunction with our small selection of Britain’s most respected cash property buyers have been assisting homeowners in selling their property, regardless of their circumstances, for over ten years. We have handled thousand of sales for our satisfied clients.

What sets us apart?

Zero Fees: You won’t pay a penny, and that’s a promise we keep. There are no hidden costs, no valuation fees, no survey fees, no legal fees, plus no expensive agent fees!

Confidentiality Assured: Accelerate Homes eliminates the need for advertising, imposing sale boards, and inconvenient inspections. We keep all sales private and confidential.

We Work to Your Timeline: Whether you want the entire process wrapped up in 7 days, or you need to align exchange dates with move in dates, our partners are here to ensure you meet your timeline.

Any house, any condition: Our partners will purchase any property in any condition. Whether your home is rotting or pristine, fire or flood damaged or even suffering from subsidence; they will buy it! Whatever your reason for sale, rest assured we can help.

No Chains: House chains are a risky business because they substantially increase the chance of a transaction failing. We do not engage in house chains, banishing that risk entirely.

Cash only sales: Unlike many quick house-buying companies, our recommended partners have access to large cash investment funds. They do not rely on third party lenders and investors, which can slow down the process. We can help get you the best cash value for your property!

Accurate valuations: Our partner valuations are all conducted by members of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. Therefore, you can have complete confidence that your assessment will be accurate and equitable.

We’re always here for support: Selling your home can be a stressful event, that’s why we're here for you whenever you need, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We pride ourselves on excellent customer service and a high level of care.

Sell House Fast Sheffield

Reasons and Solutions

The need to sell your house fast in Sheffield may arise for many different reasons. Some of these may include:

Dream Home: Your dream home may have just popped up on the market, and you're afraid you’ll miss the opportunity if you don’t have the funds to buy it immediately. There’s no need to risk your chances when Accelerate Homes can get you in your perfect home sooner.

Repossession: If you are facing repossession or have already commenced court proceedings contact us urgently. Repossession should be a last resort by lenders and can have severe consequences on your ability to borrow in the future.

Inheritance: Perhaps you’ve inherited property, lucky you! However, you may wish to have it sold as fast as possible to avoid a flood of issues or to simply gain access to quick cash that’s tied up in the property.

Financial Difficulties: Don’t let financial hardship stop you from living a fulfilling life. Selling your home is one solution. If you need money urgently, selling to a cash buyer is a certain way to get you back on your feet within a matter of days.

Private Sale: More often than you might expect, homeowners wish to keep the sale of their home private from family and friends. Our partners guarantee an entirely confidential service, free from advertising, sales boards, and home inspections.

Relocation: You may suddenly need to relocate for work, or you just desire a change of scenery but don’t have the means to look after the property once you’ve relocated. Our partners can assure you your cash will be with you on your flight as they can complete your sale within seven days.

Sell House Fast Sheffield

Where We Operate By Ward

Park & Arbourthorne. Beauchief and Greenhill. Beighton. Birley. Broomhill & Sharrow Vale. Burngreave. City. Darnall. Dore and Totley. East Ecclesfield. Ecclesall. Firth Park. Fulwood. Gleadless Valley. Graves Park. Hillsborough. Manor Castle. Mosborough. Richmond. Southey. Stannington. Stocksbridge and Upper Don. Walkley. West Ecclesfield. Woodhouse.

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Let’s not beat around the bush. If you are trying to sell your house fast and for cash you are most likely experiencing financial difficulties or are in a distressed situation – like going through a divorce or in the process of getting your house repossessed.

We are not here to judge. Our service is designed to help people move on from difficult times and start anew.

A fast cash sale can be just the solution that you need, but it can also be a nightmare!

In this article we look at quick house sale scams and how you can avoid them.

Disclaimer: We partner with a fast cash house buyer so are obviously not totally unbiased, but we have tried to be as transparent and impartial on the issue of We Buy Any House scams, as it is serious and something we want you to avoid!

Need a fast house sale?

We can connect you with the best cash property buyers in the UK. Sell in under 30 days.

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We Buy Any House Scams

In the UK there are many quick house sale companies.

A simple Google search for ‘Quick House Sale’ or ‘We Buy Any House’ will return dozens of companies. Some are totally legitimate, but unfortunately others are less so.

All, however, purport to offer fast cash solutions to buying your home.

For the past few decades the quick house sale industry has been largely unregulated. Only in recent years, due largely to increased scrutiny from the media and after the publication of a scathing Office for Fair Trading (OFT) report, has the industry started to clean up it’s act and be better regulated.

However, there are still a number of less reputable companies (read: scammers and fraudsters) who operate in the quick house sale market.

Here are the 6 most frequent we buy any house scams to look out for:

We Buy Any House Scam 1 

Down Valuations

Down valuations occur when a quick sale company offers you a flattering valuation for your house and then offers you a substantially reduced value after contracts have been exchange. This is a major issue, as you may have already made plans on the agreed price and are now stuck.

This as you can imagine is a deplorable act. But folks, it happens so be careful. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

Here is how the process should work and this is how our cash buying partners atAccelerate Homes conduct business.

After you make an enquiry, for example, by competing our enquiry form you will get an initial estimation for your property. Generally, a cash buyer will turn this around in 24 hours and base their valuation on a bespoke methodology that uses local market research tools and a cash valuation model (this is to say that the industry generally works at around 80% of the market value). At this stage a buyer will call you to discuss your circumstances and should explain in an upfront manner the initial estimation and how it is subject to an independent survey.

If, after the call, you want to proceed most buyers will arrange and pay for an independent Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) valuation of your property. A perk of working with Accelerate Homes is that all our partners cover the costs of this service, including the RICS report.

Depending on the outcome of the RICS report a buyer may increase or decrease their offer price in-line with their valuation. They should confirm this in writing and should not change the final offer price at this point.

Throughout the entire process you should not be obligated to proceed and should be able to back out at any point

Need a fast house sale?

We can connect you with the best cash property buyers in the UK. Sell in under 30 days.

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We Buy Any House Scam 2

No Access To Real Cash Funds

Many quick sale companies don’t actually have cash funds to buy your house. They are either using mortgages to purchase your home, which defeats the purpose of being a “cash buyer”, or are reliant on investor funds.

As you can imagine, without access to cash funds the idea of achieving a fast sale is often negated. This issue ties in closely to Scam 3 and 6 below.

To avoid this issue you should find out upfront how your buyer plans to finance the purchase of your property and whether they have ‘real cash funds’.

In terms of Accelerate Homes, all the companies we partner with have access to significant cash property funds, which allows them to always guarantee cash offers and never rely on mortgages lenders or third party investors to buy your house.

We Buy Any House Scam 3

Unrealistic Timescales

Some quick house sale companies promise unrealistic timescales to complete their sale. Many say they can do so in under a week! If you do need to sell your house incredibly quickly then you need to make sure that the company you are dealing with is indeed a cash buyer. Without access to immediate cash there is no way that a buyer can complete the sale in a really short time span.

With Accelerate Homes, our partners have access to real cash funds that allows them to literally move as fast as you need. The fastest cash buyer in our network has competed a sale in 7 working days. But to do so means everyone, including you, needs to be on the ball. On average our recommended partners complete sales in 28 working days. We tell our customers to expect sales to complete in 2-4 weeks.

If you need more time to get your affairs into order our partners will never put you under pressure to move faster.

We Buy Any House Scam 4

“Lock Out” Agreements

“Lock Out” agreements or long-term exclusivity agreements are complicated documents that essentially bind you into dealing with only one company. They lock you into an exclusive relationship with a company and to get out of the agreement you often need to pay several thousand pounds.

If a quick sale company asks you to sign one of these documents, run away quickly! If you sign this document you are legally restricted to selling to the counter-party company. Worse still the counter-party company is often not obligated to buy your property, so you could end up not being able to sell your house.

In short, do not sign a lock out agreement.

It goes without saying, under no circumstances would any partner who works with Accelerate Homes request you to sign a lock out exclusivity agreement.

We Buy Any House Scam 5

Unregulated Sale and Rent Back

Sale and Rent Back schemes occur when a buyer agrees to purchase your property and allow you to rent back. In effect, ownership of the property changes but you don’t need to move, instead you become a tenant, usually on much better terms than your mortgage repayments.

As you can imagine, sale and rent back schemes can be very attractive, but once you have sold your rights as an owner to the new investor, your rights as a tenant are considerably reduced. For example, your tenancy agreement could be only 6 month long and then you may have to move.

The Financial Services Authority (FSA), now the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), recently starting regulating companies and investors who offer Sale and Rent Back (SARB) solutions. To offer a SRAB service a company now needs to be registered with the FCA.

If your buyer is offering you a Sale and Rent Back option make sure to check that they are registered with the FCA. If they are not, then do not do business with them (regardless of how good the offer is!)

Need a fast house sale?

We can connect you with the best cash property buyers in the UK. Sell in under 30 days.

Get a Cash Offer

We Buy Any House Scam 6

Requesting False Sale Price

This issue ties into scam 2: no access to cash funds. A clear indicator that a company or investor does not have cash funds is if they ask you to state that your property is being sold for the full market value rather than the price you have negotiated with them.

They do this so that they can go to their lender and get a larger mortgage based on the full market value. For example, if you are selling to the investor for £90,000 and the full market value is £120,000, the investor may want to say to the lender that they are buying at the full market value but only need to borrow £90,000 (or 75% of the inflated price). They are more likely to get a 75% loan to value than a 90% or 100% (thankfully these types of loans are not prevalent in the market anymore).

Making a false claim to a lender like the example above is in fact fraud and both the buyer and the seller could face prosecution.

In short, if your buyer is asking you to make any false claims or do things that don’t seem above board, then we recommend avoiding them and changing suppliers.

Safety Checklist to Avoid We Buy Any House Scams

Here is our handy checklist of things to consider when engaging a quick sale company:

Check if your buyer is a genuine cash buyer: How are they planning to finance the purchase of your property? If they are planning to use a mortgage lender or a third party investor, then we would suggest proceeding with caution.

Check what fees are involved: Do they charge an admin fee? Do they cover your RICS valuation and legal fees? Generally we recommend only engaging a company that covers all fees and does not charge an admin fee.

Check what their policy is with ‘down valuation’: If possible get their valuation policy in writing.

Check and verify customer testimonials: Ask for customer testimonials and follow-up with previous sellers to get a real sense of how dealing with the company you are looking to engage works.

Check that the company conducts an independent RICS valuation: Some companies do not use RICS surveys to provide their final offer price. Make sure the firm you engage has a policy to use a RICS survey to make their final offer on your property.

Check if they have long-term exclusivity agreements: If they do then choose another company.

Check that they are legitimate: Do they have a registered office address? Can you visit them in person? How long have they been in the property business?

Check their industry affiliations: At a minimum they should be members of the Property Onbudsmen and the National Association of Property Buyers.

Check if they are FCA registered: If you plan to sale and rent back check that they are registered with the Financial Conduct Authority. Do not engage a company that is not registered

If the company you are looking to engage can meet all the criteria set out in the checklist above then you will likely have a positive experience and avoid any scam.

Should you wish to discuss how Accelerate Homes could help you please contact us today.

Tags: We Buys Any House Scams, Quick House Sale Scams, Fast House Sale Scams

The post IMPORTANT: How To Avoid We Buy Any House Scams appeared first on Accelerate Homes.

Considering selling your house quickly in Liverpool? It can be daunting. But with the help of Accelerate Homes, it doesn't have to be.

Accelerate Homes partner with many of the UK's most trusted residential cash property buyers. Our partners offer a transparent and honest approach that has seen them help thousands of satisfied clients achieve a fast and equitable sale.

After a decade in the business, we have developed efficient processes with our partners and the financial capacity to buy your house in Liverpool quickly for cash. Why wait months, when you can have a full sale in weeks or even days!

Read on to discover how you can sell your house fast in Liverpool with a leading quick home buyer.

Need a fast house sale?

We can connect you with the best cash property buyers in the UK. Sell in under 30 days.

Get a Cash Offer

Sell House Fast Liverpool

Our Process

We understand that the need to sell your house quickly can be an urgent necessity. While traditional selling routes, including estate agents or private sale, typically achieve the best possible price, quick home buyers can guarantee a complete and final sale in as little as seven days. That’s fast cash in your hands.

The average house sold through an estate agent in Liverpool is on the market for seven months. That’s a total of 204 days, plus four additional weeks to finalise the sale. On top of this, estate agents charge transaction and solicitor fees, which can be a real burden especially if you’re struggling to meet mortgage repayments.

If your goal is to sell your house fast, then estate agents just aren't the answer.

An auctioneer can speed up the process, but they’ll charge you ‘through the roof’, and they can’t guarantee your desired price. Your return is unpredictable, and from our point of view, auctions aren't a risk you have to take.

In this case, a cash buyer is a perfect solution offering a quick, hassle free sale. Of course, not every cash buyer is legitimate. Regulatory bodies including the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) do their best to debunk the market. However, there are still some scammers out there. To keep yourself safe, we advise reading our comprehensive guide on avoiding quick house buyer scams.

Be assured that our partners operate to the highest standards of practice as set out by the National Association of Property Buyers (NAPB), and subscribe to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). Our partners are also active members of The Property Ombudsman and are serious about providing maximum clarity and confidence throughout the sale process.

Sell House fast Liverpool

Our Easy Three Step Process

Step 1. Quote The first step is easy. Simply pick up the phone or enter your details here. We will immediately connect you to one of our friendly cash property buyers who will contact you within 24 hours. They’ll discuss your needs, and provide honest and impartial guidance according to your individual circumstances. They’ll work to find a solution that best suits you and offer an initial estimate of your property value.

The initial estimate is determined using data on the current local real estate market, in combination with custom property valuation tools and experience in buying property in Liverpool.

Step 2. Surveyor Selling your home is an important decision, and we understand you may need more breathing space. We encourage you to ask as many questions as you need and take as much time as you feel comfortable with. Our partners will never pressure you to sell. When you're ready, the buyer will send a surveyor from the RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) to your property to provide an independent valuation. The buyer will cover the cost of the RICS report and associated fees.

Following a review of the RICS report, the buyer will finalise our formal offer. Once issued to you, the final offer will never alter, unlike some unethical cash buyers in the marketplace, who reduce their offer after exchanging. It is important you are aware that at this point, you are by no means obligated to proceed, and you will not be liable for any administration fees.

Step 3. Acceptance and Completion If you choose to accept the formal offer, our partner will proceed with paperwork and arrange legalities. If you wish, you may select your own solicitor at their expense. At this point, you can also choose your preferred completion date. Typically, sales are completed in 28 days. However, our recommended buyers have the means to accommodate nearly any timeline.

Need a fast house sale?

We can connect you with the best cash property buyers in the UK. Sell in under 30 days.

Get a Cash Offer

Sell House Fast Liverpool

What makes us unique?

Accelerate Homes partner with a select group of reliable cash buyers who can assist you through the entire sales process.

But, what sets us apart?

Our partners buy any house in any condition: It’s as simple and straightforward as that. Our partners live by the slogan - we buy any house, in any condition. Whether your house is old or new, pristine or falling to bits, our partners will buy it.

No expenses: Our partners charge no admin fees, no valuation fees, no survey fees, and no legal fees. You will never be asked to cover any costs when using the service of our partners.

Your timeline is our priority: We believe no one should have to wait to move on with their life. Whether you’re in urgent need of cash, or you need a specific sale date, our partners are here to put your timeline first.

Private and confidential: We eliminate the need for expensive advertising, imposing sale boards, and disruptive inspections. All our dealings are confidential because sometimes the whole world just doesn't need to know you’re selling.

No chains, no lenders: Our partners have access to significant cash funds. Therefore, they don't use any third party lenders or participate in house chains. This removes the risk of a transaction falling through. It also means they can get you the best possible CASH price for your home!

24 hrs a day: Selling your home is tough, and our partners take their duty of care seriously. Their caring teams are available anytime you need them for support or guidance.

Sell House Fast Liverpool

Reasons and Solutions

There is a multitude of reasons why you might need to sell your Liverpool house in a rush. Below you will find a small selection of reasons why customers seek our help. Please feel free to contact us if any of these reasons resonate with you.

Financial hardship: If you’re facing financial hardship or potential repossession of your home contact us immediately. We can connect you immediately with a reliable cash buyer who can help by buying your house, clearing your debt and helping you move into a new home.

Moving abroad: Are you chasing the sun? Maybe you're just about to start a new job? If you’re moving abroad and wish to sell your house fast, our partners can have you on a plane, and in your new home within a matter of days!

Inheritance: Have you recently inherited property, but wish to liquidate the asset as soon as possible? Our partners can help have the house sold before you know it and save you time and money.

Divorce or separation: Divorces and separations are difficult enough, without the added stress of selling your shared property. Let our partners deal with this one so that you can move on swiftly and cleanly.

Former Investment Property: Are you sick and tired of managing tenants and no longer want the hassle of being a landlord? Whether the property has tenants or not, our partners can take the burden away within a matter of days.

Caught up in a scam: Have you been the victim of a quick house buyer fraud? Try not to stress. Our partners can help. Just give us a call or fill out our online registration form and you’ll be speaking to one of our partner's helpful representatives in no time.

Sell House Fast Liverpool

District where we operate

Aigburth. Aintree. Allerton. Anfield. Bebington. Bidston. Birkenhead. Bootle. Bowring Park. Brighton-le-Sands. Broadgreen. Childwall. Claughton. Clubmoor. Crosby. Croxteth. Edge Hill. Egremont. Everton. Fairfield. Fazakerley. Ford. Garston. Gateacre. Grassendale. Greasby. Great Crosby. Halewood. Higher Bebington. Hunts Cross. Hyton. Kensington. Kirkby. Kirkdale. Knotty Ash. Knowsley. Litherland. Liverpool city centre. Moreton. Netherley. Netherton. New. Brighton. New Ferry. Norris Green. Orrell Park. Page Moss. Port Sunlight. Prenton. Prescot. Princes Park. Sandfield Park. Seaforth. Sefton Park. Speke. Stockbridge Village. Stoneycroft. Tarbock. Thornton. Toxteth. Tranmere. Upton. Vauxhall. Wallasey. Walton. Waterloo. Wavertree. West Derby. Whiston. Wirral. Woodchurch. Woolton.

The post Sell House Fast Liverpool (Our Expert Guide) appeared first on Accelerate Homes.

Are you looking for a quick house sale? If so you have come to the right place.

Accelerate Homes connect homeowners with the UK’s leading cash property buyers. All our partners specialise in quick house sales and will buy any house in any condition, nationwide. Our recommended partners have access to significant cash funds, which means they can buy your property today for CASH!

Unlike some “cash buyers”, our select group of buyers do not rely on third party lenders or investors. All deals are structured using our network's cash investment fund. In short, this means that with us there is no waiting around to secure financing, no chains, no viewings, no need to make your house sale-ready.

We know that selling your property fast can seem like a daunting prospect, but at Accelerate Homes we take all the stress out of the process. Our service is straightforward, transparent, and you guessed it, super quick!

In this short article we explain how our quick house sale solutions work and show you how you can sell your property quickly, today!

Need a fast house sale?

We can connect you with the best cash property buyers in the UK. Sell in under 30 days.

Get a Cash Offer

Quick House Sale Solutions

If you don’t have a private sale option on the table, then there are three ways to sell your house quickly. Below we discuss each briefly.

Estate Agents

As you are trying to sell your house quickly we assume that you have already considered or tried using an estate agent.

Estate agents are generally a good solution when you have lots of time or are in a fast moving property market, but if time is not on your side then using an estate agent will almost certainly slow the process up for a quick house sale.

Moreover, with an estate agent you are often subject to tedious viewings and complex chains. Not to mention estate agent fees and legal costs!

Property Auctioneers

Using a specialist property auctioneer is another potential quick house sale solution, but again auctioneer fees are high, sales aren’t guaranteed and worse still you might get an offer well below your expectations!

Click here to read about selling property at auction.

Cash Property Buyers

Selling to a cash buyer is a great solution if time, cost and ease of transaction are important.

That being said though, not all cash buyers are made equal. There are some players in the market who cut corners, have unethical practices and dubious track records. We recommend reading our article on how to avoid quick house sale scams.

Other good resources to consult before engaging a quick house sale company are the National Association of Property Buyers and The Property Ombudsman.

Accelerate Homes partner with a select group of respected cash buyers who are members of both organisations and operate to a strict code of conduct.

Quick House Sale – Cash Buyer vs. Estate Agent!

To help you assess whether a cash property buyer is the right option for you we have set out a worked example. This quick house sale comparison to a traditional estate agent route is for illustrative purposes only and values may differ depending on your personal circumstances.

As you can see in the chart a seller with an asking price of £100,000 will typically receive an offer from a cash property buyer at about 20% below market value (subject to a RICS report).

This may seem like a significant discounted value, but when working with a a good cash buyer, like the ones we recommend, you will not need to pay any fees. The cost of a survey and legal fees will be covered. This means the offer price received is often very close to the net price after completion.

With an estate agent the scenarios can vary, but generally the agreed sale price after a survey is around 5-10% below one’s asking price. However, this is the point at which costs start creeping in. There will be a 1-2% estate agent fee to consider, a solicitor’s fee, and often the largest cost will be the mortgage repayments during the months that it can take to sell and complete on a traditional estate agent sale. As you can see the net price received is often very close to the final value one would receive should one work with a cash property buyer.

Over and above the financials though there are some significant benefits of working with a cash buyer.

Here are a few:

Complete in as little as 7 days. Most of our partners can complete a quick house sale within 28 days, but it you need to go faster they can!

Real cash buyers. With us there is no waiting around for third party lenders or investors. Our partners have liquid cash on hand and can guarantee cash offers

No any admin fees and all costs covered. This includes the cost of conducting an independent survey at your property and your legal fees

No contract tie ins and there is no obligation to proceed. All our recommended partners offer service that is fair, transparent and risk-free.

Private and discrete service. There are no viewings, chains or unnecessary probing into your financial situation

Upfront cash advances, can help with removal costs and are happy to assist should you need to stay in your house for a short while whilst you plan your onward move

Our partner will buy properties in any condition and don’t require you to do any repairs. They have bought properties with damp, dry rot, flood damage and subsidence issues in the past

Need a fast house sale?

We can connect you with the best cash property buyers in the UK. Sell in under 30 days.

Get a Cash Offer

Quick House Sale

The Process

The best part of working with Accelerate Homes to achieve a quick house sale is the simplicity of the process. There are three basic steps.

Step 1: Complete our enquiry form or call us

Using the enquiry form above send us your details. Will will connect you with one our our cash buyers, whose valuation team will contact you within 24 hours to discuss their initial offer and your selling needs.

Step 2: Get an independent survey conducted and agree final price

If you are happy with the details the buyer will instruct an independent RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) survey to visit your property and produce a valuation report. Based on the outcome of the report they might adjust their initial offer upwards or downwards. They will send you their final offer for your consideration.

Step 3: Agree sale and completion date. Complete paperwork

If you are happy with the final offer the buyer will agree a completion date that works for you and their team will take care of all paperwork. Most of our partners can instruct a solicitor for you or you are welcome to use your own solicitor. All our partners will cover your costs so you can focus on your next move.

The post Quick House Sale – Sell Your House Fast With These Quick House Sale Solutions appeared first on Accelerate Homes.

Do you need to sell your house quickly in Bradford? Accelerate Homes are here to help!

We work in exclusive partnership with many of the leading cash property buyers in the United Kingdom and have over a decade of experience in the market. Unlike other cash property buyers, our partners have significant cash investment funds. As a result, they can deliver an incredibly fast service, with homes often purchased in as little as seven working days.

Accelerate Homes, in partnership with their select group of cash buyers, have helped thousands of customers sell their property fast in Bradford and across the UK for cash. Our partner's professional and honest consultants are always on hand to help guide you each step of the way.

In this expert guide, we discuss all aspects of how to sell your house fast in Bradford. We cover our simple three step process and why you should consider a cash purchase for your property.

Need a fast house sale?

We can connect you with the best cash property buyers in the UK. Sell in under 30 days.

Get a Cash Offer

Sell House Fast Bradford

Our Process

Have you tried to sell your house privately? How about through an estate agent? Traditional sales routes can probably get you the highest market price for your property; however, they can involve a long and stressful process for the seller. Your property can sit on the market for months, with continuous viewings costing you both time and money! If you are looking to sell your house quickly, this can be a lengthy, arduous and frustrating process.

While the highest market price can look appealing at first, it does not also always equate to the best closing price. After subtracting estate agent commissions, solicitor fees, surveyor fees, cosmetic repairs and even ongoing mortgage repayments, you can be left short-handed. example here.

An established cash property buyer can help you avoid the lengthy estate agent process and sell your house with a fast and painless transaction. While our cash property buyers operate to the highest standards, there are still some illegitimate scammers in the market. For this reason, we have put together a short guide that we recommend reading on how to avoid house buying scams.

Our partners pride themselves on delivering a professional and honest service for all clients. Backed by significant cash funds, they can move very quickly to purchase your property, commonly completing sales within seven days.

Our straightforward and transparent process involves three simple steps.

Sell House Fast Bradford

How it Works

Step 1: Receive a Free, No Obligation Quote The first step is to enter your details here or call us. We will immediately connect you with a cash buyer who will provide you with a cash offer within 24 hours. This initial quote is developed using comprehensive local property market valuation tools and over a decade of experience purchasing properties in Bradford.

Step 2: Conduct a Free Property Valuation with an RICS Surveyor The second step to selling your property is to have an independent RICS surveyor assess the value of your home. The buyer will cover all costs associated with the survey, and you will never find yourself out of pocket. The initial cash estimate is dependent on the final surveyor's report, and the buyer may make adjustments to your quote accordingly. The buyer will communicate any changes in writing before proceeding.

After the final offer has been issued, our partner will always honour this price. At no point during the free quote or valuation will you be obligated to proceed.

Step 3: Acceptance of Final Offer and Completion Date Once our final offer is accepted and you would like to proceed, our partner will complete all paperwork and arrange all legal requirements. At this point, the buyer will instruct a solicitor for you or you are more than welcome to use your own (all fees will be covered by the buyer).

Finally, completion of the sale will be discussed, and the buyer will work around your requirements. Their hard working consultants can complete the purchase in as little as seven days; however, the average timeframe is 28 days.

If you’re ready to take the first step in selling your house fast in Bradford, please complete this short form for a free no obligation quote.

Sell House Fast Bradford

What Makes us Different

Accelerate Homes work in partnership with many of the United Kingdom’s most trusted cash property buyers. Our partners have helped over a thousand homeowners sell their house across the country. Below are the reasons why we're different.

Our partners work fast: The average time it takes to sell your property through a real estate agent is approximately six months. While this may work for some people, this is far too long if you need to sell up fast for various reasons. Our partners can complete the sale in as little as seven days. Once you make contact, we will immediately connect you with a reliable cash buyer who will provide you with a no obligation cash estimate in as little as 24 hours.

No viewings: Selling your property through an estate agent can mean dozens of people going through your home at various times. This can be a frustrating and tedious process, as many viewers may not have the finance ready to complete the purchase or may not even be interested.

The advantage of working with one of Accelerate Homes' partners is that you don't need to put up with these tiresome viewings. While our partners don't need to view your property personally, a surveyor from RICS will need to attend to conduct a brief inspection at a time suited for you.

More money in your pocket: With Accelerate Homes you know what to expect from the outset. Our partners will never charge you any fees, and the final offer will never change. Furthermore, our partners cover all the costs of your surveyor and legal requirements, so you are never out of pocket.

Our partners purchase any property in any condition, nationwide: Even though your property may be in need of a little work, that doesn’t mean you have to splash out on costly repairs! Unlike estate agents, our partners don’t mind if your home is a little worse for wear, in fact, they purchase all types of residential property, in any condition.

Our partners are with you each step of the way: Selling your property can be a stressful time in your life. There are many variables, which can make it incredibly overwhelming to manage. Our partners have expert teams to make this as easy as possible for you, taking care of everything and offering advice each step of the way. The simplified process makes selling your property a breeze. The only thing you should consider is why you didn’t sell sooner!

Sell House Fast Bradford 

Why You May Need to Sell Fast

There are many reasons why you may need to sell your house in Bradford quickly. In most cases, people are tired of dealing with cumbersome estate agents, experiencing some form of financial difficulty or in a rush to release quick equity.

Below are some of the reasons why our customers decide to use Accelerate Homes to find a cash buyer.

Preventing Repossession: If repossession is keeping you awake at night, Accelerate Homes can help you sleep easy. Depending on your circumstances, we can connect you with a cash buyer who may be able to stop the repossession process entirely. Our partners can help clear any debts through purchasing your property and assist you to move into your a new home.

Relocation: Do you need a quick property sale due to a relocation? Skip the time-consuming traditional methods and get a cash offer from one of our recommended cash buyers. They will be in touch within 24 hours with a cash estimate.

Separation or Divorce: One of the most distressing situations for anyone to go through, separation and divorce are an unpleasant time for both parties. A quick property sale can help to reduce the stress and ease your financial burden. With this in mind, our byers can move quickly to provide a suitable cash solution to help you start your new life.

Traditional methods aren’t getting you results: Estate agents can often overpromise and underdeliver, which can consequently leave you in a worse situation than when you started. If you’re having trouble selling through the traditional sales methods, our partners can offer you guaranteed cash for your property. We get you results, and we get them fast!

Need a fast house sale?

We can connect you with the best cash property buyers in the UK. Sell in under 30 days.

Get a Cash Offer

Sell House Fast Bradford

Where we Operate

Our partners operate in all 30 electoral wards in Bradford including:

Baildon, Bingley (ward). Bingley Rural. Nolton and Undercliffe. Bowling and Barkerend. Bradford Moor. City (ward). Clayton West Yorkshire. Craven. Eccleshill. Great Horton. Heaton. Idle and Thackley. Ilkley. Keighley Central. Little Horton. Keighley East. Keighley West. Manningham. Queensbury. Royds. Shipley. Thornton and Allerton. Toller. Tong (ward). Wharfedale (ward). Wibsey. Windhill and Wrose. Worth Valley. Wyke.

The post Sell House Fast Bradford (Our Expert Guide) appeared first on Accelerate Homes.

When it comes to the best places to live in the UK, there are a whole load of factors that go into choosing the top destinations.

From good schools to a good employment rate to a strong local economy, it’s no mean feat to try and pick the best places to live, especially seeing as it is such an important part of one’s life.

However, we’ve managed to narrow the best places to live in the UK down to a strong five, and have included a wide range of places and factors in our decisions.

Be it the good schools we mentioned, or the wonderful scenery in the areas, we’ve got something for everyone in this list, so sit back and take it all in.

After this, you won’t know where to choose to settle down seeing as they are all so wonderful!

UK’s Top Spots To Live

1. Truro, Cornwall

While Cornwall may not have the best transport connections with the rest of the country and is absolutely miles away from most major cities and good universities, it is still one of the best places to live in the UK for its beautiful vistas and fantastic tourism industry.

In the summer months when the weather is just right, Truro is a beautiful place to live. The beaches are perfect for surfing and sunbathing, and the rivers and hills are great for walking.

If you have a young family or dogs, this city is certainly one of the best places to live in the UK for all it can provide for you.

Truro is also a treasure trove of small businesses and independent food and coffee shops, which makes for a strong local bond and community.

Everything there seems to be completely authentic, and you can grasp that completely as soon as you visit.

Moreover, Truro and Penwith College is rated outstanding by Ofsted and offers some of the best sixth form courses in the country, so this place is still great if you have older children looking to get into higher education.

If you think about it, Truro must have something special, or so many tourists wouldn’t flock there every year, renting out cottages by the sea. Living there is a dream.

2. Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear

People often fail to think of the north east when it comes to the best places to live in the UK. However, Tynemouth is one of the UK’s hidden gems, so you should really consider it if you’re looking for somewhere beautiful to live.

Tynemouth is actually home to some of the UK’s best beaches, though they are rarely publicised, meaning that it is far less touristy than Cornwall.

But make no mistake: Tynemouth is no sleepy seaside town.

While it went through a period of degeneration, work has been done to this area and its coffee shops, fish and chips shops and quaint, sweeping scenery make it a very special place to live.

Just like with Truro, if you have dogs, this is a perfect place to settle down as the possibilities for walks are simply endless as the beaches stretch for miles and miles.

Even families will find Tynemouth a brilliant place to settle as it isn’t too far from Newcastle upon Tyne and still has a number of good schools for young people in the area.

3. Edinburgh, Scotland

Everyone has a soft spot for Edinburgh in their heart, so living there is a natural step if you want to have somewhere you love as your somewhere to live.

The thing about Edinburgh that is so attractive has to be its culture. From its Christmas markets to the Fringe Festival in the summer, there is a lot going on in this city, and that’s often what people are looking for when choosing the best places to live in the UK.

In terms of its economy, Edinburgh is pretty strong indeed. 76.6% of economically active people in the city were employed in 2017-18, which is well above the national average and even above the figures for Scotland as a whole.

Thus, the prosperity of Edinburgh as a city is definitely something to take note of, and we’d recommend looking at this in more detail if you’re seriously considering living there.

As well as this, there’s the University of Edinburgh located in the city, which is one of the best in the whole of the UK.

For those who are looking at going to university, this is an excellent choice, and the city makes a lovely place to spend your undergraduate (or postgraduate) years.

Moreover, Edinburgh has a wide variety of things to do. From Edinburgh Castle to Arthur’s Seat – a wonderful hiking destination – to heading to the Old Town, there’s something very special about Edinburgh.

There’s a charm in its medieval structures which makes you feel as though you’re always in the presence of greatness.

And, if you fancy leaving for a while, it has great connections with the rest of the UK, including a direct train to King’s Cross London, which is a rarity the further north you go in the UK.

Surely all of this, above all else, makes Edinburgh one of the best places to live in the UK?

4. Westminster, London

We couldn’t make a list of the best places to live in the UK without including England’s capital city. London is the epicentre of business, politics and the economy, and so living there means there is absolutely always something going on.

Westminster, a prominent city and London borough, has been named this year as one of the top 50 places to live in the UK.

This is inevitably due to its connections to the capital city and multitude of job opportunities which are simply just not available anywhere else in the UK.

Being based in Westminster opens up a whole lot of doors, so if that’s what you are looking for in a place to live, there really isn’t a better place to choose than Westminster.

In terms of everything else you can do in Westminster, there is plenty.

The city occupies most of Greater London and the West End, meaning pretty much every tourist attraction you can think of in London belongs to Westminster. Be it Big Ben, the London Eye or the Houses of Parliament, Westminster has some pretty impressive things going on, and you’d be living right in the centre of it all.

To some, this is one of the most exciting things they can think of, and if this is the same for you, then you’re certainly in luck.

While Westminster is an incredibly expensive place to live, meaning it’s not for everyone, if you have the money, you can buy yourself (or rent yourself) a lovely apartment.

As well as this, there are a lot of fantastic schools in the area, though a lot of them are fee-paying, which is something you may need to consider if you’re planning on living in the area with your children.

5. Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is the largest of these out of both England and Wales.

With its stunning emerald canvas of hills and fields and its sweeping crystal lakes, the Cotswolds is truly an idyllic and picturesque place to live.

Wherever in the Cotswolds you decide to live, you will be tucked away from the rest of the world in a way that is incredibly satisfying, left to live within nature all year round. This doesn’t mean you are alone at all, though.

Instead, it means that you’re in the same position as everyone else who’s living there with you.

Thus, community spirit in the Cotswolds is high and you’re likely to make a lot of close friends in any of the villages you choose to live in. It is for this reason – among others – that we have chosen to put the Cotswolds on our list of the best places to live in the UK.

In terms of its connection to the rest of the country, you would think that the Cotswolds is severely lacking in this area.

However, this is just not the case. Transport links are generally speaking very efficient, and from most areas in the Cotswolds you can get to other nearby regional areas quite quickly.

And, in some areas of the Cotswolds, it is possible for you to commute daily to London if necessary. So, there’s a lot going on there, and a lot of possibilities available.

Schools in the Cotswolds are also of a high standard, so you are not putting your children at any disadvantage by moving somewhere so rural and remote.

A life in the Cotswolds is one of peace and tranquillity (with a lot of good walking involved too), so we simply had to put it on our list of the best places to live in the UK.

Wherever you’re living, we hope it’s a very happy place!

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