Category: Buying a house
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Thousands of homes hit market as sellers cut prices post stamp duty change
If you’re planning a renovation, eyeing your next self-build plot, or just waiting for the right time to buy, a wave of new homes has just hit the market, and many come with reduced price tags. New research from estate agency Yopa suggests that over 53,000 properties have been listed for sale in England in…
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You can buy this abandoned 15-bedroom Highland lodge for less than a flat in London
In a remote corner of the Scottish Highlands, a forgotten estate is up for grabs for a starting price of just £255,000, less than many one-bedroom flats in London. Surrounded by mountains and thick woodland, Achnashellach Lodge hasn’t been lived in for years and presents a challenge for those looking at renovating a house and…
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If you buy a plot with planning permission, can you build something else?
If you are buying a plot with planning permission, you may be able to build something else – but it isn’t always easy to do. It’s important to know that different types of planning permission apply to building plots too, making it either easier or harder to make changes to the original consent. And, when…
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Buying a house with asbestos? What you need to know
Discovering asbestos is not necessarily a reason to avoid buying a house. And discovering it in a property may mean you are able to agree a discount. “The presence of asbestos offers the opportunity to negotiate on price,” says Paula Higgins, founder and chief executive of HomeOwners Alliance. “This is especially the case if you…
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What to do if you have a right of way over your building plot
If you have a right of way over your building plot, it is vital to understand the implications. While in some circumstances it could be ended, it might instead require you to change your self-build plans. If you’re buying a house, you can find out that there’s a right of way over the property, and…
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Financing a plot — expert advice for the start of a self-build project
In order to begin a self-build project, financing a plot on which to construct the home might be the first step. Unless you are able to build in the garden of your existing house or already own some land, buying a plot is where the process of obtaining a new home starts. Just as when…
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The ‘Best Places to Live’ in the UK in 2025 has been revealed
The Times’ “Best Places to Live” survey for 2025 has highlighted locations across the UK that excel in combining convenience, community, and natural beauty. From excellent schools to vibrant local cultures, these areas offer residents the best quality of life. If you’re thinking of buying a house, or building a home, these are supposed best…
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Soaring service charges leave flat owners struggling financially
For thousands of homeowners across the UK, the dream of owning a property is turning into a financial nightmare. Spiralling service charges, imposed by property management companies, leave many residents feeling trapped as they cannot afford rising fees and also meaning others cannot buy their homes. What was once an affordable way to get on…
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House that was ‘stolen’ and resold is finally returned to rightful owner after four years
A Luton reverend has finally regained ownership of his home after nearly four years of legal battles following a shocking case of property fraud. Mike Hall, a homeowner and clergyman, lost his house in 2021 when scammers stole his identity and unsuspecting homebuyers bought the home from the fraudsters. After a prolonged legal struggle, he…
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8 things to check when buying a house with a septic tank
Buying a house with a septic tank might seem like a infrequent concern, but if you’re looking to live in the countryside, it might become a very real possibility. Properties without mains drainage typically rely on a septic tank to deal with sewage and wastewater, although some may have an open cesspit. Between 300,000 and…