The UK Government is determined to speed up and simplify the home-buying process, following the launch of a review in October 2017 aimed in part at reducing the 25% of prospective sales that collapsed before completion; a staggering proportion.

Many people dream of owning a listing property: the idea of living in a home with such a long heritage – that has been certified by the state as representing a part of British history which needs to be preserved for future generations – it’s all incredibly romantic, and for those lucky enough to be able to acquire such properties invariably do so with a great deal of pride. Moreover, on the whole listed properties tend to keep their value better than other homes and are more immune to market fluctuations.

We appreciate it is not easy to think and plan for a time when you will not be able to make your own decisions but it can help to be prepared. A Lasting Power of Attorney can be a great tool to allow for someone you trust to carry out the necessary decision making and execution of documents on your behalf, whilst acting in your best interest at all times.

There has been great movement for first time buyers especially the recent changes to the Stamp Duty Land Tax payable however we have noticed that there have also been changes with some lenders’ attitudes to lending to people over 60 years old. There are many reasons someone might be thinking of buying a property or re-mortgaging in their later years, whether it’s to get a better deal on their current home, especially if a fixed rate has ended or they’ve simply decided to downsize; but until recently, obtaining a mortgage over the age of 60 has often been a difficult, if not an impossible process, without resorting to equity release schemes.

When buying a property, it’s important to understand how your purchase will affect you in the future. Owning a property is an investment and a way to build equity, but it also comes with responsibilities. So, are there any big differences between buying a flat and buying a house?

Over the last few months there has been movement to assist first time buyers. Some of the information can be confusing therefore our blog aims to help you focus on what you may need to consider.

The Latin phrase ‘Caveat Emptor’ which translated to English means ‘Let the Buyer Beware’, is a maxim which applies to the purchase of any property. The onus is on the buyer to check the physical condition of the property and to investigate the title to see if there are any restrictions on use, or rights of way which affect the property.

Figures within the last year have indicated that the cohabiting couple families continues to be the fastest growing family type in the UK. The 2016 bulletin, Households and Families, published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), states that cohabiting couple families in the UK have doubled from 1.5 million families in 1996 to 3.3 million families in 2016. Therefore it is vital when purchasing a property that you indicate how you and your partner wish to hold the legal title.