Transcript
Whilst buying a new home is exciting, it’s important to factor in the extra costs that come with it. These can include solicitor’s fees, surveys and stamp duty, if you are in England and Northern Ireland, land and buildings transaction tax if you are in Scotland or the land transaction tax if you are in Wales. Plus mortgage arrangement fees and more. Budgeting for these in advance will make the process far easier and less stressful. As a rule of thumb, these costs typically amount to around 3% to 5% of the purchase price.
Once your offer has been accepted, the buying process begins. This can take a few months and involves plenty of paperwork and additional expenses. After choosing a mortgage, your broker or bank will finalise your application. Some lenders charge a mortgage arrangement fee. This can be paid upfront or added to your loan balance. You’ll also need to appoint a solicitor or conveyancer. They will give you an estimate of their fees, as well as search and land registry costs. Some of these are paid when they begin the work and the remainder is settled on completion. Your lender will arrange a valuation of the property for a fee to confirm it is worth the loan amount. You may also choose to commission your own survey to check for structural or maintenance issues.
Costs vary depending on the level of detail, but investing in a thorough survey can save you money in the long run. If problems arise, your solicitor can raise these with the seller before contracts are exchanged. You may be able to negotiate a reduction in the purchase price. When you exchange contracts, you’ll be asked to pay your deposit. This is normally 5% to 20% of the purchase price. You must also have buildings insurance in place. Your solicitor will have received the mortgage funds from the bank or building society.
Now on completion day, they will transfer the remaining funds on your behalf to pay the stamp duty or equivalent for Wales and Scotland. They will also register the property in your name with the Land Registry. These extra costs can add up quickly, but by planning for them from the outset, you’ll have a clear picture of what you can realistically afford and avoid any nasty surprises along the way.
All Adult Learning Modules
Budgeting
Module 1
In this module, you’ll explore how budgeting can help you plan ahead and manage the impact of rising costs.
Earnings
Module 2
In this module, you’ll learn how to understand your pay, spot any issues early and explore the different ways you can increase your income.
Freelance
Module 3
In this module, you’ll learn what freelancing involves, from getting paid to managing tax, expenses and day-to-day responsibilities.
Pensions
Module 4
In this module, you’ll explore how pensions work, from the State Pension to workplace and personal pensions, so you can plan ahead.
Debt
Module 5
In this module, you’ll learn how borrowing works, how to manage debt responsibly and where to get help if it becomes hard to handle.
Credit
Module 6
In this module, you’ll learn how credit works, different types of credit, how repayments are made and how interest and fees are calculated.
Mortgages
Module 7
In this module, you’ll learn how home buying works, the factors that shape affordability and how mortgages influence the overall cost.
Investing
Module 8
In this module, you’ll learn how investing works, how to manage risk and how to grow your money over time.
