Planning to buy

There are a number of different costs associated with moving home, from deposits and mortgage fees, to extras like moving van costs and switching utilities. These all add up, so it’s important to plan ahead and make sure you’ve got everything covered.

Below you’ll find our handy guide to the major costs of moving home. We’ve included simple explanations for each one and the estimated costs involved (based on a £325,000 home) to help you budget.

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What costs should you plan for?

Reservation fee:

Your reservation fee secures your chosen property. Once you reserve your home, we’ll remove it from sale and provide you with a provisional date for legal completion. – Typical reservation fee¹: £500 – £1000 ¹depending on your selected buying scheme.

Deposit

Your deposit amount is the amount paid when you exchange contracts and is usually between 5 – 20% of the value of your property. – Typical deposit²: 5%, or £16,250 ²based on a £325,000 home.

Stamp Duty

Stamp Duty is a tax on the property you’re purchasing and is tiered, meaning you pay different rates on each portion of the purchase price. First time buyers do not need to pay Stamp Duty on the first £300,000 of the purchase price. – Typical stamp duty costs³: £6,250 ³based on a second time buyer purchasing a £325,000 home.

Solicitors fees

Alongside the costs for the property, you’ll also need to pay a solicitor to complete the legal paperwork and undertake any relevant searches and surveys. These costs can be broken down into the three areas listed below.

Conveyancing

This is the fee you pay to your solicitor to make sure the legal side of purchasing a property is handled correctly. -Typical conveyancing costs: £800 – £1,500

Searches

When buying a home, your solicitor will undertake a number of local authority searches for you. Searches will reveal if there are any environmental issues, planning decisions, or other restrictions that could affect the property. – Typical cost for searches: £250 – £400

Survey

A survey will give you a detailed look at the condition of the property and highlight any issues with the construction or finish of your new home. Getting a survey is optional, but it is recommended. Survey costs will vary depending on how thorough the inspection is. For new build properties, the most popular survey options are a snagging survey, or a homebuyer report. – Typical survey costs: £250 – £600

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Mortgage fees

The amount you pay in mortgage fees will vary depending on your chosen provider. These fees will include an arrangement fee, a booking fee, a mortgage valuation fee and other admin costs. Some providers offer mortgage deals that waive the majority of these fees, so it’s best to shop around to find the best options. – Typical mortgage fees: £0 – £2,000

Estate agent fees

This is the cost for an estate agent to manage the sale of your existing home, so you’ll only need to pay these fees if you’re selling before moving. Fees are generally 1% – 3% of the sale price, plus 20% VAT. – Typical estate agents fees⁴: £5,400 ⁴based on selling a £300,000 property.

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Moving costs

Don’t forget to set aside some of your budget for the actual move. These costs can vary greatly depending on how much you need to move, how far you’re moving, and whether you can do it yourself or need to hire someone. -Typical moving costs: £300 – £600

Other costs

You may also have other extra costs that need to be taken into account. Get quotes for these services whilst you’re planning, so you know these costs upfront. These costs could include;

Switching your utility contracts, Switching insurance & Postal redirection

Ready to learn more?

Call our sales team today by clicking here. They’re here to answer any more questions you may have about planning to buy.

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