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Interested in buying parcel of land
Never done this before, so complete novice and seeking advice on what questions I need to ask from the offset/ what pitfalls I need to be aware of. It's a 1.12 acre plot for sale via land agent in North Cornwall, guide price £30,000. Bids and final offers by 29 August - do I need to offer more than £30,000 or, like a…
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Downstairs loo
We are now finally able to start looking for our onward purchase in earnest. We are looking for a 3 bed in 5 mile radius of where we are, it must have a garage or room to build one and a downstairs loo for a disabled parent when they visit. The downstairs loo seems to be a bit elusive, even in houses that should have had…
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Changing Estate Agent - Do I smell a rat ?
Hi all, we have been with the same well known established EA for 360 days and we i’ve had a number of viewings but no offers so we feel the agent is not doing enough to sell our house. Whether or not to change the estate agents is not what I would like to discuss have decided to appoint another agent regardless of the…
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Building Approval + Share of Freehold deed
Hi, In 2006 I did some big(ish) works in my leasehold flat (with the freeholder's informal permission). I've got two issues. 1) having applied for building approval without finishing the process (planning permission wasn't necessary).2) never changing the floors plan in the share of freehold some years later. My informal…
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Closing dates for buyers are increasing exponentially (Scotland)
My niece is a first time buyer and it looks like she can't compete with the current practise of very quickly going to sealed bids only weeks after a property is listed. She has bid 20% over the Home Report in three instances and been outbid each time by a substantial amount. It really is a gamble as buyers could lose a…
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Property value limits on Help to Buy ISAs
I opened a Help to Buy ISA seven years ago. It sounded like a good way of saving a bit every month towards a home of my own. My decision to open one was motivated primarily by the fact that the Government would pay bonus interest of 25% on the total amount saved. I'm now looking for my first flat. If I want to benefit from…
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Completion Date & Where to put sell proceeds from BTL which is over the FSCS limit
I am in the process of selling my BTL and ‘The chain would like to complete on the <xxx date>.’ within the next few weeks. I would like to check whether there is anything else I need to do before the simultaneous Exchange and Completion? As far as I know, I just need to give the go ahead to my solicitor and they will do…
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Survey raised concern about roof
I had an offer accepted on a house back in May. It then became apparent that there was spray foam insulation in the loft that needed removing (I previously posted about this a few months back). The owner arranged for a firm to remove the spray foam insulation. I drove past and they had scaffolding up and were removing the…
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Managing the period between tenant leaving and house being sold ASAP
I 'inherited' a rental property (not quite inherited, but it's a long story and not really relevant) which has to be sold to meet the deceased's debts. The tenants have moved out, and I've arranged unoccupied property insurance. I'm now concerned about the other things that need doing. I want to sell the place asap and am…
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Rent & Buy Advice
Hello, first time poster here. I was hoping for some general advice; I own a property and my girlfriend also owns a property, we would like to buy our own together and rent the other properties out. Is this something that is doable and what are the changes or requirements, positives and negatives in doing so? Thank you
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Deed of Trust V Ltd company purchase
Hi all,We were given first refusal on our neighbour's house after she passed away in April.We are in fortunate position to be able to buy it as a private sale with no mortgage along with other family members (6 in total).My sister-in-law is a first time buyer and the solicitor suggested we have her on the Title deeds as…
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Threatened Lease Forfeiture Over Ground Rent – Advice Needed
Hi all, I am looking for advice regarding a leasehold dispute that’s
escalated unnecessarily. I own and live in a leasehold flat that I purchased in 2021.
When I purchased the property, ground rent was charged by the management
company. In late 2023 the management company changed with little warning (1
month notice). The…
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Selling a property with a shop below
My dad owns a property, with a shop run by current occupier on the ground floor, living accommodation above and behind the shop which they use Dad had owned for many years but due to age he is looking to sell it The shop is run by relative who also lives in the house, there was a lease but it ran out 15 years ago the…
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Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDTL1) form for buying a leasehold property
We are currently buying a leasehold property and we have been given the SDTL1 form for review by the solicitor. For Q2 "description of transaction" they have entered Code "F" which seems to be for a freehold property based on the guidance and is not applicable for a leasehold ("for an acquisition of any freehold interest…
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Does First time buyer rate SDLT applies on first property if married partner buy first house?
Hi all, I own a property on my sole name in a mortgage as well as in title deed. My wife also lives with me in my house with my daughter. Now she decided to get her own house and we went for JBSP mortgage as her salary was not enough to get the mortgage. We have been advised by a solicitor that she might have to pay higher…
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Best way to buy a house in another part of the country that you intend to move to?
Hi All, (Posting on behalf of my sister). My sister is expecting to come into some money and combined with a mortgage thinks she may be able to finally buy a house. Unfortunately her budget is modest and she currently lives and works in Kent, with her partner and two kids. They realise that they might only be able to…
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Selling a House. Pre-exchange Matters
I am selling a house that belonged to my late sister and brother in law. My late sister had bequeathed me her half share in the property twelve years ago. My brother in law had continued to live there until his death in 2022. I have a prospective buyer but we have not exchanged contracts. There are issues about which the…
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Share of freehold and management company
Reaching out for advice... We have just moved into a share of freehold flat, there are three people sharing the freehold (including us). There is a mangagement company which is pretty quiet, there are no accounts from recent years and no minutes. All decisions are made amicably over whatsapp as far as I can tell. All been…
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First time buyer, deciding where to move
I'm in my mid 30s, no dependents, looking to buy a first property and trying to decide between two options: 1. Buy a house somewhere quiet & affordable and stay there (there are a couple of areas I'm considering) 2. Buy a flat in a big city with good employment prospects (e.g. London) and live & work there for a few years…
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modern auction fees after auction finished
Hi, I enquired about a property for sale by mmo, didnt really know what that was, after looking it up realised it was not suitable for us as we are not in a position to buy in a set period until our house sale goes through. In the meantime we viewed the house with said company, if the house does not sell at auction and I…
