Recent Articles in Help for Buyers and Sellers

Legal and Tax Implications of Inheriting a Home
Dec 10, 2009

Losing a loved parent can be really tough and I know that one of the things I really struggled with when my father died, was dealing with all the paperwork and the legal bits and pieces afterwards. So I thought it might be useful to write a quick Q&A on what you need to be aware of when inheriting a property – either as a single child or if you have brothers or sisters.

Benefit Claiming Tenants!
Dec 8, 2009

Benefit claiming tenants! I will not accept this type of tenancy.... or should I? Most new landlords tell me they would refuse an application for a tenancy from a benefit claimer. What’s the reason behind this? When I ask them why, they are unable to give any detail, the decision in my opinion is an emotional one based on perception not facts.

First Time Buyers Still Struggling to Raise a Deposit
Dec 2, 2009

Two thirds of first time buyers believe that a lack of sufficient mortgage deposit is preventing them from owning their own home, despite Government efforts to encourage them into the housing market with shared equity schemes which require little or no deposit. A survey of 3,000 potential first time buyers by Miller Homes found that 28 per cent of buyers still believe that they will need to save for at least five years before finally getting the keys to their own home.

Need to sell fast? Why not try an ‘Open House Weekend’
Nov 24, 2009

I’d be amazed if this works at this time of year, but Countrywide Estate Agents are holding the UK’s largest ‘open house weekend’ on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th  of December. Open house sales are popular in places like Australia where if you want to sell your home, you have one or two days when people can come round and look at your home. It’s a good idea, especially if you have children or are elderly as you don’t spend every day on tenterhooks, trying to keep the home tidy and hoping that viewers who’ve booked to see your home come round.

Should you buy before the stamp duty increase?
Nov 23, 2009

On 1st January 2010, the stamp duty threshold changes.  So is it worth you completing before the end of the year? As a result, if you complete on a home for £175,000 before 31st December 2009 you won't pay any stamp duty and from January 2nd (no-one will be working on New Year's Day!) you will pay 1% x £175,000 = £1,750 to the government in stamp duty land tax.