Buying a home together

andypcbruno

My fiancee and I are planning to sell our homes and buy in joint names ( 60:40 split.)

My house is mortgage free but my fiancee's has a modest mortgage.

The intention is that we sell mine first and I move in to her house. As we don't need a mortgage for the new ,house we can use the fact that we are effectively chain free to either secure the house we want or be in a stronger bargaining position. ( The plan is that my fiancee, on the sale of her home, will give me a cash sum from the proceeds)

The question is : if she still owns her home, will we be liable for the higher stamp duty and if so on all the value or just her share ?

If we will be liable for higher rate on the full price, can I initially buy the new home in my name and transfer 40% to my fiancee or likely by then, wife, without penalty, after she has sold her house ?

Thanks

PS. Think I have the answer now from doing more research., We would have to pay the higher rate on the whole value but provided we sold my fiancee's house within 3 years, could reclaim the extra