Buying, selling, valuing or investing in a property comes with a lot of decisions, and most of them are expensive ones to get wrong.
In this category, I share practical advice on the property side of home ownership: what to consider when buying a home, whether renovating actually adds value before you sell, getting your house valued, and navigating the trickier parts of the process like procurement and contractors. It’s less about decor and more about the bigger financial decisions that shape a home, based on our own experience of buying, renovating and moving over the years.
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We’ve had our house valued at least once in the last five years, despite the fact we aren’t actually bothered about moving right now. This might make you think, “Well isn’t that a waste of time for the valuer or estate agent?” but it’s actually not. They’re always interested in valuing a house to keep…
Buying a home is one of the most significant financial commitments you will ever make, and the period leading up to exchanging contracts is one of the most critical stages in the entire process. Once contracts are exchanged, the agreement becomes legally binding, and pulling out can carry serious financial consequences. That is why understanding…
I still remember the moment my then-fiancé (now husband) and I got the keys to our first home. I was 22, absolutely terrified and unbelievably excited all at once. We’d bought a doer-upper, the kind of house that estate agents describe as having ‘enormous potential’, and I genuinely had no idea what I’d let…
Everything you need to know so your dream home doesn’t come with a nasty surprise. So, you’ve fallen for that lovely countryside cottage. It has charming beams, cosy fireplaces, and…a septic tank? Yep, for rural homes not hooked up to mains sewerage, that underground wastewater system becomes one of the first things you need to…
A property is literally the biggest purchase you’ll ever make in your life. While this makes it really exciting, it can quickly become overwhelming and a little bit scary. Before you can actually get the keys and claim the house as your own, there’s the finances to sort out, the paperwork to fill in and…
Studying in the UK is an exciting adventure — new friends, new experiences, and a whole new culture to explore. But before lectures begin and societies start recruiting, there’s one big task to tackle: finding somewhere to live. The search for student housing can be just as thrilling as it is daunting. You want something…
The UK’s property landscape is changing rapidly as cities across the country embark on large-scale regeneration projects. These developments are transforming communities and boosting local economies. If you’re considering moving or investing in property, it’s helpful to know where the most growth is happening. From new apartments and improved transport links to cultural hubs and…
Moving house can be difficult, and stressful. In fact, the last time we did it, we said we wouldn’t move again for a very long time. But some people don’t have a choice, whether they’ve got a new job, want to move closer to family or something else entirely — moving might be a necessity….
No one wants to fall out with their family, especially over property, but it does happen, and can have lasting effects. Disagreements over property can be some of the most emotionally draining conflicts within families. Whether it’s inherited land, shared ownership, or disagreements after separation, these issues often come with deep personal history and high…
Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, or relocating for a fresh start, getting your home ready for sale can make all the difference when it comes to attracting buyers and achieving a smooth sale. The good news? Making your home more sellable doesn’t have to mean a complete renovation. Sometimes, the smallest changes deliver the biggest impact….
After a few wobbly years of uncertainty (hello, pandemic and Brexit), London’s luxury property market is well and truly back in action. Despite the wider economic doom and gloom, things at the top end of the housing ladder are looking surprisingly upbeat. If you’ve ever caught yourself wondering, “Should I value my property now?” —…
Buying your first home creates thrilling excitement yet the mortgage process presents numerous challenges. You might be questioning yourself, or wondering how the home buying process begins and what you need to do. What essential information should I understand before starting my mortgage application? Knowing the basic aspects of UK mortgages can help you to…