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Stamp Duty - Buying before selling
Hi, My wife and I are currently bidding on a new house which will be our only and main residence. However to give us an edge in the bidding war we are proposing to complete purchase of this new house before we sell our current house. Once the purchase is complete it is my understanding that we would pay the additional 5%…
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Proof of funds/Source of funds - How far back?
I understand that when buying a home you need to provide proof of funds, and source of funds, to prove that you have the money, and to satisfy anti-money laundering checks. How far back in time do these checks go? I was gifted a fairly substantial sum of money back in early 2022, and then again in mid 2021. I imagine they…
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Offer help
Hello! Viewed this property and considering putting in an offer - however, we are FTB and more than a little clueless (/learning slowly!). It would be so great to get some opinions from folks who have been round the block. It seems like a reaonable price for the area, places seem to go from around thw £180,000 mark up to…
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Proof of funds check
There are a few threads on 'Proof of funds' on here recently and reading them has made me think about when we buy a property. Our house is sold and we will be moving into rental, then we will start properly looking for our next home. We are mortgage free and the money will be in the bank ready once we find one. The house…
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Same firm of solicitors for buyer and seller: a good or bad idea?
We are part-way through a house purchase. Our solicitor has just written to inform us that they have now taken on the seller as their client; the seller has switched solicitors since accepting our offer. Despite our solicitors assurances that there is no conflict of interest as they have enough staff to manage this…
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Trying to secure a rental home
Just looking for anyone else's experience with this… Sold our house, moving into rental to then take our time looking for forever home, been told by the EA after they spoke to everyone that a call will be coming very soon to arrange completion\exchange, they told us to start looking. We thought going into a rental, other…
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Transfer of House Left in Will/Buy Out Sister
Hi, can anyone point me in the right direction to understand how the following works please? My parents died (Dad2021 and Mum 2024) and their will states they leave the house 50/50 to my sister and myself. Because of one thing or another, this hasn't been processed yet (has not gone through probate?). I wish to pay my…
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Paying off help to buy equity loan
My partner has a house with a 20% HtB equity loan. Her interest free period ends October this year and her fixed mortgage rate ends June this year. I’ve got a house with a fixed mortgage rate that ends next year. We’re looking to sell our properties and buy our first house together. Re. chains, we want to sell my partner’s…
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Why the long written notice period to cancel estate agent contract?
I've noticed that many estate agency contracts require a very long written notice period - often 28 days - to be able to cancel their sole agency contract. So it may be an 8 week contract but if you decide after 8 weeks you want to go to another agency they're effectively making it into a 12 week contract with a whole…
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Be cautious about buying McCarthy and Stone!
I would counsel caution to anyone considering buying a McCarthy and Stone apartment. The issue is not with the property itself but in the selling on of an apartment. I have been trying to sell my deceased uncle’s apartment for three - years. McCarthy and Stones resales experts are passive and as they continue to accrue…
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Reduction in property value - mining report
I would like advice re selling a property which has 2 mine entrances 11m and 7m in the road outside the next doors’s house. Buyer has pulled out as they can’t get a 60% mortgage of the property value of 160k. I have been told I should reduce by at least 25% for 1 mine entrance and more for 2nd and readvertise for cash…
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Is this estate agency clause as dodgy as I think it is?
I've been reading the contract for an estate agency I've instructed to sell my house (haven't signed yet) and this clause worries me. Am I right to be worried about it or am I misunderstanding something / is it standard? Ready, Willing and Able Purchaser A purchaser is a ready willing and able purchaser if he is prepared…
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Moving abroad: What to do with my house?
I am planning to move abroad so that I can be closer my dad. I am in a bit of a situation with the house that I live in. Currently it is mortgaged with a decent equity and I do wish to return to it in nearer future as I love the place and the area. I was thinking of renting it out but had a horror experience before on a…
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Vendor Buying The Freehold First
Good morning everyone, I have had an offer accepted on a house. The house is currently a 900+ year leasehold and sits on a freehold. The freehold is owned by a well known Estate in North Wales. My offer was conditional on the vendor purchasing the freehold. I don't want to purchase a leasehold. The vendor's freehold…
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FirstPort Property Management
I’m interested to hear if others have had issues with FirstPort, particularly owners of Freehold Homes on new-ish housing estates. We have had numerous issues with this company who now charge nearly £6000 a year to “manage” a small patch of grass in our cul-de-sac. They also added unauthorised charges to our account for…
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Is the landlord legally correct
Hi all My son had a debt with his landlord. Following advice from this great forum, my son made an offer of a monthly repayment to the Landlord via the Estate Agent at the end of November 2025. This was agreed, and my son, as agreed paid the first payment 5th December, then a second payment on the 5th January. Yesterday he…
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Selling first home where to start?!
I have read all the MSE articles (this site helped me save and move out of childhood home on my own) but it seems to be about first time buyers or once you have found a house. The guides state sell you house first which is fine I live in a really east to sell first time buyers home is a gem really. What on earth happens…
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Home exchange offer reduced with gifted contribution added
Hi, we live in South West England and are looking at reserving a new build property. As part of the deal, the developer has agreed to buy our current property as a home exchange scheme. They have called today to say it’ll look better on the deal sheet if they can knock £20,000 off their original home exchange offer, then…
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EPC with new rental contract
Can I clarify my understanding on the minimum EPC required currently to rent out your property? My friend is planning to rent his flat out next month and his flat as EPC grade E. I understand this is fine right? I am aware of the new laws coming to upgrade this to a minimum of C but is this requirement needed already for…
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Letting agents issues
Let me start by saying I don't have all the facts which I know is a problem for correct advice to be given. I'm neither tenant nor LL, just a bystander. Tenancy started back in 2018. Via a lettings agent. ( Who for the record have been useless the whole time) Landlord died a few years ago and property taken over by a…
