BLOG

When you see a property for sale that’s surprisingly affordable, it can be very tempting to put in an offer. But if you see it’s also near a river or on a floodplain, risk of flooding could be the reason for the low price. In this blog, we consider the risks of buying a house on a floodplain and how to sell property that’s flooded in the past. We can give you our thoughts and general guidance, but you should seek specific advice from your conveyancer and other professionals before committing to buying a house on a floodplain.

With an end to tenants’ fees and new regulations imposed on landlords, many people are reconsidering their positions on owning rental property. However, while there are more pressures on landlords now than there have been in the past, we’re still confident that the busy Guildford property market needs landlords and the rental properties they bring with them. Let’s take a closer look.

When you set a budget to buy a home, it’s easy to overlook certain costs. These costs aren’t exactly “hidden” but they are not usually included in the asking price. Savvy home buyers consider these additional costs and plan accordingly. But what exactly are the hidden costs to watch out for when you’re buying property? In this blog, we look at the top five to help you make the right financial decision.

With everyone watching the pennies, more homeowners are wondering “can you sell your house without an estate agent?” The short answer is yes, but most sellers find it’s quite a challenge. In this blog, we look at the most challenging areas of selling your house without an estate agent. It’s important to consider whether you have the time and energy to meet all the requirements, and whether the financial saving is worth it.

When children grow up and families scatter, it can often leave homeowners alone in a big house! They may find themselves asking “why should I downsize?” especially when staying put seems a lot easier. But in fact, there are many advantages of downsizing: financial, practical and socially responsible.

With surveys playing an important part in the house-buying process, it’s important to understand what surveyors look for and what they don’t. No one likes a nasty surprise, particularly not when it’s a necessary and expensive home improvement. In this blog, we share our understanding of what surveyors look for, as well as how to read your survey report and what to do if a fault with the property is overlooked.

“How do I know which offer to accept” is becoming something of a frequently asked question. Houses and flats in Surrey are always in demand, and we’re seeing an increasing number of sellers receive multiple offers for their properties. In this blog, we look at which offer you should accept, why the highest offer might not be the best offer, and the etiquette of gazumping.

Buying a property in a conservation area has many advantages, like having attractive historic features and laws in place to protect the streetscape. However, there are some limitations too – buyers should be aware of what it means to take on a property in a conservation area before they commit. Let’s take a closer look.

Buying and selling properties can be a stressful process. Taking a holiday and getting away from it all can have a strong appeal! But there are downsides too, like managing the sale remotely and not being on-hand to provide paperwork and answer questions. Houses are put on the market for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes we don’t have a choice about when we sell and have to put property on the market even when we have other commitments. In this blog, we explore the pros and cons of going on holiday while your house is on the market.

When it’s time to buy property in Guildford or anywhere else, it’s important to understand the terms used by estate agents and mortgage lenders. The better you understand the house-buying process, the more smoothly it will run. Let’s take a closer look at loan to value, also known as LTV.