Buying a Property

Buying a property is probably the biggest financial decision you will ever make therefore you may find it helpful to consider the following important points before viewings begin.

If you already have a property to sell, you will be in a much stronger position to buy if your property is sold before you commence with viewings.
Register with your local Estate Agents so that you can be kept informed as soon as a property you may be interested in comes onto the market. Jan Forster Estates have an extensive database which will match you to your ideal property in your ideal location.
We can contact you by your preferred method (i.e. SMS Text Messaging, email or telephone).
Check out local estate agents websites and property websites frequently as new properties will be added on a daily basis.
Before viewing properties confirm your maximum property budget, what deposit will be required and consider monthly running costs (such as Council Tax, Gas, Electricity and Water Charges).
Make an appointment with an independent financial advisor so that they can source the whole of market to find the best mortgage for you. If you can obtain a 'mortgage in principle' from your lender this may help to speed up the buying process (this is a conditional offer made by a mortgage lender that they will 'in principle' give you the loan, provided that the information you have given them is correct).
Solicitors costs (it is advisable to get two or three quotes).
Type of survey needed on the property you are buying and the costs involved.
Removal costs.
Stamp Duty Land Tax – SDLT replaced Stamp Duty in December 2003. If you buy a property or land in the UK over a certain purchase price you will have to pay SDLT. See the table below for current rates.

Stamp duty table