Rocketing property prices are pushing thousands of homeowners to sell through cheap online estate agents. Traditional High Street agents charge sellers a percentage of the sale price of their property - so the more your home is worth, the higher your fee. But would you take the low-cost DIY route?
Why won't our lender cancel half of the mortgage on our cottage after my partner's death?
My partner died in September last year, so I asked our lender Mortgage Agency Services to cancel her half of the mortgage on our cottage in the Yorkshire Dales. However, the firm says it will not do so, and that I still owe the full amount. I feel this is wrong and that the debt should be reduced by half.
The most heart-breaking mis-selling scandal of all: Richard and Rita Kauffman are losing their home even though they're NOT behind on their mortgage
The pensioners will be kicked out of the three-bedroom coachhouse they have lived in for 15 years - the victims of a horrifying mis-selling scandal that has left them £376,000 in debt. The Financial Ombudsman Service found in their favour but, as the investment they were duped into taking out is so complicated, nothing can be done to help them. ...read
The question of a generation: How will our children and grandchildren ever afford to own their own home?
There are 20 properties in the window of Connells estate agents in Watford - just one is available for a first-time buyer for less than £250,000. The town is no different to the 34 others in England identified by Shelter as having no affordable two-bed homes for families. Victoria Bischoff goes on the first-time buyer trail.
The ground rent on my leasehold flat just went up by 25% after only five years: Is the freeholder entitled to do this?
I bought my maisonette with 125-year leasehold five years ago. My ground rent then was £200 per year but I have just had a letter advising me it is to be increased to £250, which is a massive jump. How legal is this? Combined with the service charges it amounts to just over £700 a year. How feasible is it to buy the freehold or extend the lease in the future?
PROPERTY MARKET ESSENTIALS
The luxury flats in the heart of London's financial centre... where British buyers get first refusal
British buyers will get first bite of the cherry on new apartments being launched in London's financial district. Canary Wharf Group's move has turned on its head the controversial practice of heavily promoting London developments to wealthy overseas buyers - particularly in the Far East. ...read
Ten tips for buy-to-let: the essential advice property investors need to consider
For many buy-to-let looks an attractive income investment in a time of low rates and stock market volatility. Lower house prices, rising rents and improving mortgage deals are tempting investors - although they will need a big deposit. Read This is Money's top ten buy-to-let tips ...read
MORTGAGES, HOUSE PRICES & PROPERTY NEWS
Want to exchange contracts fast? Then follow these top five tips for pushing through your property transaction
The pre-election uncertainty may be over and even the sun has made an appearance, but that doesn't mean there won't be major hurdles to overcome leading up to exchanging contracts on a new property. Even when both the seller and buyer are keen to exchange quickly, things can grind to a halt. And seasoned home-movers are not immune. The time between an offer being accepted and exchanged can be as quick as six weeks in England and Wales.
HOUSE PRICES: LATEST ON THE PROPERTY MARKET
House prices up 4.6% over year, says Land Registry, with average property values in London FIVE TIMES higher than North East
The figures, which lag a month behind other house price indexes, shows the region with the most significant annual price increase is the East of England with a surge of 8.9 per cent. It means the average property value now sits at £183,861, with monthly prices edging up 1.7 per cent in July compared to June. ...read
MORTGAGES MUST READ
Demand for mortgages is rising 'significantly' as rates fall to record lows, says Bank of England
Demand for mortgages for buy-to-let and prime property purchases has grown especially, the Bank of England report showed. The number of households taking out personal loans has also increased as the cost of borrowing falls to a record low, the bank's latest credit conditions survey found. ...read
BUY-TO-LET: PROPERTY INVESTING ESSENTIALS
Boost for first-time buyers as buy-to-let landlords' profits are slashed in crackdown on mortgage interest tax relief
Buy-to-let landlords are facing cuts to the amount of tax relief they can claim on mortgage interest payments from April 2017, George Osborne revealed in the budget today. In a move which will 'level the playing field for homebuyers and investors,' according to the Chancellor, the amount landlords can claim as relief will be set at the basic rate of tax - currently 20 per cent. ...read
ASK AN EXPERT
Should we move back in with parents to save for our first home - or will lenders look more favourably on us if we are meeting monthly rent payments?
My fiancé and I have reached a crossroads. We have been renting in London for the last few years but are now ready to buy our first property in outer commuter lands. We have a sufficient deposit, but cannot decide whether to take a short-term rent outside of London while house-hunting or move back in with parents who live near to the area we are planning to buy in the interim. ...read
GUIDES & TOOLS TO BEAT THE PROPERTY MARKET
On the hunt for a home? The first-time buyer's guide to getting a mortgage
Are you hoping to get a foot on the property ladder? This Is Money's step-by-step guide explains how first-time buyers can get the best deal on their mortgage, make sure they pick the right choice for them and avoid the market's traps. We explain what new buyers need to know, and how they are being offered assistance from the Government in the form of Help to Buy.
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PROPERTY: DON'T MISS
- How an online estate agent could save you a small fortune But would you be a DIY seller to get a cheaper flat-fee?
- Up to 30k Britons can claim compensation After Spanish government forced to change 'unfair' inheritance tax laws on holiday homes
- The 100-year club The professions where it would take at least a CENTURY to save a home deposit revealed
- Want to buy a home with a small deposit? Here's how to get the best mortgage and avoid the traps
- Britain's first-time buyers face one of the toughest property markets in Europe... But Luxembourg is worse
- The town where families are having to spend £13k just to sell their house... Because the 'bargain' dream homes came with a catch
- The 100 best places for families to live revealed Do you live near a family friendly hotspot?
- From seagulls to wasps, don't get stung by pests How to deal with a home menace - and what insurance covers
- I'm thinking about converting my garden shed into a miniature pub Would it add value to my house or put people off?
- What's in an address? Properties with 'lane' in title typically £100k more expensive than those on a 'street'...
- As Bank of England hints that interest rates could rise by the end of the year Should borrowers lock into a fixed-rate mortgage now?
- Stamp duty calculator How big a tax bill will your property purchase trigger?
- Ten tips for buy-to-let The essential advice for property investors
Latest: Mortgages & home
- Lack of property for sale intensifies as new listings drop by 20% over the summer - and London suffers biggest supply drought
- House prices up £5k in July compared to previous month – but annual growth continues to slow after last summer's boom
- Only got a 5% deposit? First-time buyers offered a helping hand with sub-4% two year fixed-rate deals from Nationwide and Yorkshire Building Society
- Could shared ownership help you on to the property ladder? Scheme brings home purchases into reach for first-time buyers
- Flowing with joy: Living near water can be pricey but it stirs the soul, says Rosie Millard
- Brummie good deal: Priced out Londoners invest in Birmingham - where they can buy two flats for the price of one in the capital
- Beginning of the end for the cheapest ever mortgage rates? Rock bottom five-year fixes are on the rise as rate rise looms closer
- Can't be bothered to get a survey on your future home? You risk a shock bill of thousands for hidden horrors
- House prices hit new record high after jumping another £5k in just a month - and tipped to grow 6% this year
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