Category: Buying a house
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9 questions you should ask when you’re buying land to build on
The merits and downsides of a plot for a self build might seem apparent compared to those of a house, but there are questions you should ask when you’re buying land to build on. Neglect to find out everything you can about it and you can end up with a project that’s far more costly…
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7 housebuying mistakes — and the ways to avoid them
House-buying mistakes don’t tend to be original. Property experts see people making the same errors time and again with results that can be anything from disappointing to far more serious. But there’s no need to repeat these mistakes when you’re buying a house. Learn where others have gone wrong and you can end up with…
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How long does it take to buy a house? The details on when to expect to move in
Homebuying has many stages you need to go through between making the decision to purchase and holding the keys in your hand, so it’s probably no surprise to hear that it takes time. But what can make the process a little less daunting is understanding how long this might be. Individual factors matter when you’re…
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Should you buy a house with subsidence? We weigh up the pros and cons
The prospect of buying a house with subsidence can be seriously concerning. While there could be the attraction of spending less on a property, structural issues with a home are not to be taken lightly. If you’re buying a house with a mortgage, whether you would be able to borrow money for a home with…
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Do you need to pay stamp duty on a building plot?
If you’re buying land in order to construct your own home, you might be asking if you need to pay stamp duty on a building plot. The idea of making savings at this stage of a self-build project is, after all, an appealing one. When you’re buying a house stamp duty land tax (SDLT) may…
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Mortgage price war heats up as rates fall below 4%: homebuyers urged to act fast
A mortgage price war has erupted among major UK lenders, with Santander, Barclays, and Nationwide all launching deals below 4% for the first time since November. The rate cuts come as the Bank of England’s recent decision to lower the base rate to 4.5% fuels competition among lenders as more people look to secure cheaper…
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What you need to know about buying a house near a pylon
As the UK moves towards green energy, pylons carrying overhead electrical cables are a hot topic, with the government planning thousands of miles of new roll-out by 2030 to connect wind farms and renewable energy power stations to the National Grid. As well as the visual impact, especially on rural landscapes, pylons have long raised…
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Where to buy land — 10 places to look for a plot for a self-build home
If you’re planning to buy a house, where you should look for likely properties is evident. Where to buy land when you want to build your own home, however, probably isn’t as apparent. Get savvy about the places to look, though, and you’ll discover that some of the places to buy land cross over with…
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From buyer beware to seller beware? Landmark £32.5m moth mansion case shakes up property law
A game-changing High Court ruling has shaken up the property market, altering the long-standing “buyer beware” rule and setting new expectations for sellers. In the case of Iya Patarkatsishvili and Dr Yevhen Hunyak versus property developer William Woodward-Fisher, the court ruled that sellers must provide complete and truthful information about known defects. This case, involving…
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How to take over utilities when you’re moving house
Knowing how to take over utilities when you’re moving house will make the process smoother. The utility companies you had accounts with at your previous property know you are no longer responsible for the bills there and the suppliers at your new home can transfer the accounts into your name. Organising the takeover of utilities…