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Buying

Stamp duty cuts offers fresh savings.

  • Stamp Duty has been abolished on the first £250,000 of any property purchase, (up from £125,000), making an immediate saving of up to £2,500 for home buyers. Close to half (47%) of all sales in England over the past year were under £250,000.
  • First-time buyers could save up to £6,250, because they will now be exempt from stamp duty on the first £425,000. The purchase price at which they can take advantage of this relief has been raised too, from £500,000 to £625,000.
  • Second home owners and overseas purchasers will still be required to pay the 3% Higher Rate Additional Dwelling Tax and 2% non-resident surcharge respectively.
  • The Chancellor’s announcement only applies to England. In Wales, from October 10th no Land Transaction Tax will be payable on homes priced up to £225,000 (current threshold £180,000), a saving of £1,575 on a property priced £225,000. Those paying over £345,000 are set to pay more.
  • For now rates in Scotland remain unchanged, the threshold in Scotland is £145,000. Source: Dataloft, HMRC, Land Registry, Welsh Revenue Authority, Revenue Scotland

We are now a few days into the new stamp duty changes and I am already noticing the difference in the market, such as prospective purchasers who had stopped seeking a suitable property to purchase commencing viewings again. 

Even though interest rates have increased in recent times, the stamp duty reductions announced last week by Kwasi Kwarteng have given prospective purchasers fresh impetuous. With us servicing numerous boroughs such as Croydon, Merton and Lambeth, where there are still affordable properties, we have noticed a large portion of properties we are marketing have been getting a lot more interest over the past week. 

The stamp duty reductions will help assist in selling various styles of properties from flats to houses. Properties which previously did not have great interest shown in them are now receiving more viewings. In Thornton Heath, I personally think the 3-bed housing market will benefit the most from the reductions, this is because the average three-bedroom home falls within the £425,000 price bracket.

If you are interested in knowing how much you can save on stamp duty, please get in contact so we can point you in the right direction. Alternatively, if you are looking to buy your first home please get in touch and speak with one of our Local Property Experts on 0330 0430002.

Leigh Thomas – Local Property Expert

Stamp duty cuts offers fresh savings. Read More »

Timely boost from the government for the property market!

“When you speak with any home owner the hardest part about buying a home or getting into a position to buy a home is raising the deposit. We live in a society today where for the average person your cost of living is so high you do not have enough money to save as much you would require each month (especially in London). For a lot of aspiring homeowners they are in a tough predicament where they are paying rent on their current property that in hindsight would be a lot more than  the monthly repayments on a mortgage of their own home. The only thing they lack is the deposit to commence the buying process”.

By the government allowing this scheme to launch to both first time buyers and current home owners this will allow the market to continue to move. This will provide assurance to current home owners who need to sell and/or move along  with also giving faith to those aspiring to own their own home and get on the ladder.

“As a Property Expert working during these estranged times it was such a blessing and a boost to benefit from the stamp duty holiday. However, as the government gave the market a blessing with one hand, the banks took away with another by taking away all 95% mortgage products and temporarily removing 90% products. Over the summer and autumn of 2020 we went through a phase where we had an abundance of properties available but a lack of buyers given the requirement of a larger deposit”.

“The scheme rolling out until the end of 2022 this fills the property market with a lot of faith and confidence until then along with keeping the economy moving which will be vital for the United Kingdom to drive forward”


“We have property experts ready to speak with you about the pricing in their areas and will be able to advise now and into the future. We also have Mortgage partners on hand who we can refer you to, who work with the whole of market and will be able to advise you about the best mortgages tailored to your needs.

“Feel free to get in touch”.

0330 043 0002

Truuli.co.uk

Timely boost from the government for the property market! Read More »

Stamp Duty Holiday - Truuli

How to prepare your property for sale, if you want to take advantage of the current Stamp Duty Holiday

January is usually a popular period which would see sellers come to the housing market in large numbers. Next year, however, may be slightly different as plenty of buyers hope to take advantage of the stamp duty holiday (currently due to end 31st March 2021).

It is now even more important to have all paperwork/documentation relating to the sale of your home ready to provide to your solicitor/conveyancer if you want to sell within the next 18 weeks. For example, if you’ve had any works carried out to your home such as an extension, windows changed, re-wiring etc. then any certification should be made available for your solicitor who will relay this to your buyer’s legal representative.

Solicitors that I am currently dealing with are already reporting that their workload has increased significantly with buyers and sellers alike hoping to take advantage of the government-backed incentive. It is imperative that you notify the solicitor that you intend to use about the timeframe you are working towards and take their guidance (based on their workload) as to whether they’ll be able to meet the 31st March deadline.

The likelihood is that if you are hoping to take advantage of the Stamp duty holiday then getting your property on the market sooner rather than later is advisable.

Tips to aid selling your property

1. First impressions

First impressions count for everything. Get the windows professionally cleaned and replace the worn-out doormat, so prospective buyers aren’t put off before they’ve even walked through the front door. Kerb appeal is crucial.

2. Attention to detail

Have a thorough spring clean and get to the corners you’d normally ignore. Buyers come with a critical eye and will inspect a room from wall to wall – you don’t want them looking up at the ceiling and seeing a collection of cobwebs.

With the evenings getting longer ensure that you generate a ‘cosy, warm feeling’ so look at soft lighting in the reception and bedrooms and don’t forget the heating in your home for when the viewings take place!

3. Maintenance

Some buyers will be put off at the idea of any DIY. Run a quick maintenance check throughout your home and get the toolbox out. Do any bulbs need replacing, or is there a loose door handle that needs to be tightened, for example?

4. Declutter

You need to help prospective buyers imagine where their furniture and family pictures will go. Rooms that look too busy, full of mismatching furniture or an oversupply of personal details, can also make a room look smaller. Prospective buyers always want to check inside cupboards: if they’re packed full, empty them and throw away everything you don’t need, or put things in a suitcase for a few weeks. Hide all those plastic toys which can take up so much space. Demonstrating your home has adequate storage is crucial.

5. Character preservation

If you are de-cluttering, remember not to remove traces of character altogether – thoughtful splashes of colour and a few well-chosen soft furnishings can make a property feel more stylish and individual. It’s useful to remember what it was that made you fall in love with your home when you bought it.

6. A lifestyle setting

Some buyers are looking for a lifestyle as much as a home. Setting the table with a simple white dinner set and some pretty napkins, for example, can help people imagine living in your home.

7. Bathroom details

Another quick win can be in the bathroom. Buyers often want to check the water pressure of the shower so remove any limescale that might have built up, it’s an easy job but can make a big difference.

8. Additional space

Showing buyers how they can create additional space can be an effective way to demonstrate how your property might work for them, without the expense of carrying out any structural work. Investigate what could be done and highlight the possible options.

9. Garden upkeep

The garden can be the most important feature of the house. Now I accept that winter is the most challenging time of the year to keep your garden looking meticulous, however, taking the time to clear the garden, mow the lawn, cut back any trees and bushes, tidy up the garden furniture and tidy the children’s plastic toys will most certainly help with the sale of your home.

10. Get the Word Out

Always have a board up, and tell your neighbours – word of mouth is a powerful tool. You never know who might live just around the corner, waiting for your house to come to the market. Your board will also act as an 24-hour salesperson and help to garner interest.

There is still an opportunity to take advantage of the stamp duty holiday, but you will need to get things moving sooner rather than later! If you would like to have a chat about the steps required to prepare your home for sale or require any property-related advice, please feel free to give our team a call on 0330 043 0002

How to prepare your property for sale, if you want to take advantage of the current Stamp Duty Holiday Read More »

Homeowners Told To Plan 7 Month Ahead For Home Improvement Projects

Homeowners must plan up to seven months ahead if they want a successful home improvement project, according to new research by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Existing research from the FMB revealed that consumers should expect to wait at least four months’ for a quality builder to be available. However, the FMB’s latest research reveals that when this notice period is combined with the length of time various home improvement projects take to complete, homeowners will have to wait a total of:

  • Seven months for an extension;
  • Six and a half months for a loft conversion;
  • Five months to paint the entire interior of your home;
  • Five months for a new bathroom;
  • Five months for a new kitchen;
  • Five months to convert part of a master bedroom into an en-suite;
  • Five months to convert a cupboard under-the-stairs into a downstairs toilet; and
  • Just under five months to remove an internal wall to create an open plan kitchen/diner.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “A successful building project requires careful planning and our research gives clear guidance to consumers on likely timelines. Not only do homeowners need to consider how long a project takes to complete, they also need to remember how long they should expect to wait for a quality builder to be available to get going on their project. If homeowners want to work with a good builder, they should be expecting to wait at least four months and as a general rule, the larger the project, the longer the wait. When looking to appoint a builder, alarm bells should ring if they say they can start next week. Experienced and professional building firms are booked up far in advance and it’s always worth waiting for these firms if you want a stress-free experience and a quality finish.”

Berry continued: “To bring this to life, if homeowners want a new extension fully completed in time for Christmas 2019, they should be contacting builders for quotes by May at the very latest. If you want your new kitchen installed by the start of the summer, you should be getting in touch with builders now. We’re urging homeowners who are keen to crack on with their renovation project to start getting in touch with prospective builders as soon as possible. We always recommend that homeowners ask for recommendations from family or friends, and ideally from those who have completed a similar project to the one you’re planning. If no personal recommendations are forthcoming, approach a professional trade association like the Federation of Master Builders. New members are thoroughly vetted, and their work independently inspected, before they’re allowed to join. This gives consumers assurance that they’re working with a quality building firm.”

Berry concluded: “Refurbishment projects don’t come cheap and it’s worth protecting yourself as much as possible to ensure a positive experience. Ask for references from the builder’s previous clients and if possible, speak to them directly about the builder. Furthermore, always use a written contract and never pay for the whole project up-front. If a builder is reluctant to use a contract, and demands a disproportionate amount of money up-front, alarm bell should sound. Professional building firms do not work in this way. In the longer term, we need to end the cowboy builders’ reign of terror once and for all. Currently, anyone in the UK can set themselves up as a builder and start offering their services to consumers and this is why there are so many dodgy outfits. We’re calling on the Government to introduce a licensing scheme for builders so that consumers know that all building firms have a basic level of skill, competence and professionalism.”

Most new homeowners will want to carry out some form of modification to a property either prior to moving in, or immediately upon moving into their new home. Our recommendation is to always ask at least three builders to quote on your requirements and don’t just go with the cheapest quote. Look at the breakdown of costs, if some seem a lot cheaper than others ask how they will achieve it for the price without cutting corners. We would also advise checking the portfolio of any builder or workman/woman you are considering instructing to carry out works on your home.

Truuli Property Expert – Michael Fyffe

Homeowners Told To Plan 7 Month Ahead For Home Improvement Projects Read More »

Truuli Estate Agents - Potential Costs when buying a home

Potential Costs When Buying A Home

Purchasing a property should be a joyful occasion, however, it can be a stressful process without the correct planning and preparation. As well as a mortgage, there are other costs too…

 

Mortgage Deposit and Interest rates

The amount of money you have saved towards your home purchase can have a big impact on your future monthly mortgage repayments. The more you have saved the better the mortgages on offer will be. The deposit required to purchase a property is usually a minimum of 5% of the cost of the property you are looking to buy, however, a deposit equating 15% of the property price will you will get a much better deal. The average UK property price is currently around £177,000 that’s £8,850 or £26,550 for a 15% deposit just to get started.

 

When obtaining a mortgage, depending on the amount you have borrowed and the percentage provided within the deposit you may be accountable for paying a higher lending charge. This is essentially a charge for your lender to insure themselves in case you fail cover the repayment costs and they become forced to sell your house at a loss. In this event the lender retains the right to request the money lost from you. In most instances, the higher lending charge is usually around 1.5% on the amount borrowed.

 

Whilst not all products will incur this fee, another potential upfront cost to consider when organising your mortgage is the arrangement fee. This can cost you in excess of £2,000 but can be added to your mortgage amount, however doing so can incur interest and increases the costs involved throughout the duration of your mortgage. Setting up any mortgage may also incur costs, with some lenders charging you a booking fee of between £100 to £250 – this is often refundable if your mortgage application is unsuccessful.

 

Account Fee

This is usually a one of fee covering the costs of running your mortgage account from the initial set up to the day of its closure. In most instances paying an upfront account fee means you won’t have to pay an admin fee when repaying it.

 

On most occasions the mortgage lender will not charge an account fee but they may cover this in the form of an exit fee. The exit fee may be charged in the event you leave your lender prior to the end of the arranged mortgage whether it be to re-mortgage, sell the property or obtain another mortgage for a new property. Account fees usually range from between £100 and £300.

 

 

Solicitor Fees

Having a competent conveyancer can sometimes make or break a sale. Most conveyancers offer a ‘no sale, no fee’ service meaning you will only be billed after a successful purchase. Make sure you ask any potential conveyancer if there will be any additional costs as some may charge for the length of the transaction and/or for sending letters and communicating with estate agents. At an additional cost, your conveyancer will organise the relevant checks with the council including a search of any planning and local issues that may affect the property as well as a search of the drains. They will also raise property queries with the selling solicitor and review your mortgage offer once the bank has confirmed the property purchased is suitable for lending.

 

 

Valuation & Surveys

When lending you money for a home purchase the mortgage provider will ascertain the amount you are eligible to borrow and will want to know the property being purchased is suitable for lending. In order to do this, they will undertake a valuation survey of the property.

 

You may choose to get obtain an additional survey of the property at additional cost, this may be cheaper if conducted at the same time as your valuation. Surveys vary in cost depending on how extensive they are; a straightforward valuation starts at around £150, however, a home buyer report for which you will have a professional assessor visit the property in question and carry out a structural survey and a far more in depth assessment can cost as much as £1500.

Stamp Duty

In England and Northern Ireland, you are liable to pay Stamp Duty when you buy a residential property, or a piece of land, costing more than £125,000 (or more than £40,000 for second homes). This tax applies to both freehold and leasehold properties – whether you’re buying outright or with a mortgage.

 

If you’re buying a property in Scotland you will pay Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) and in Wales Land Transaction Tax (LTT) instead of Stamp Duty.

 

There are several rate bands for Stamp Duty. The tax is calculated on the part of the property purchase price falling within each band.

 

For example, if you buy a house for £275,000, the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) you owe is calculated as follows:

0% on the first £125,000 = £0

2% on the next £125,000 = £2,500

5% on the final £25,000 = £1,250

Total SDLT = £3,750

 

Moving

Ensure you have booked a removal firm and calculated the time it will take to move from one property to another. Some removal companies charge by the hour so ensure you know what time you are due to collect keys from the previous owners; most completions take place between 12-2pm.

If you have any further questions or would like to arrange a free ‘Cost of Move’ appointment with a Mortgage Expert call us 0333 043 0002 or e-mail s[email protected].

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