The term ‘restrictive covenant’ refers to conditions the seller of a property can include in the title deeds or contract when they’re selling the property. These conditions restrict the way in which the property, or the land it sits on, are used. This might be to benefit the neighbours or the surrounding area: for example,
Buying a property is likely to be one of the most expensive purchases you ever make, so doing your homework before you sign on the dotted line is essential to avoid it becoming a costly mistake. To sidestep the potential pitfalls associated with buying a flat in particular, here are our top 10 questions to
As the name suggests, providing “proof of funds” shows that you have sufficient money to purchase a property and applies to both cash buyers and those who are buying a property with the help of a mortgage. The proof in question is usually either a bank statement showing the amount of the full purchase price
With only 30% of homes in the UK being owned outright, the reality is that the vast majority of home buyers will need to seek a mortgage when they decide to buy a property. For the uninitiated, a mortgage is essentially a loan which is secured against the value of the home until it is
Thanks for the miracles of modern medicine we are now living longer lives than ever before. Luckily, many mortgage lenders in the UK have recognised this fact and have started offering mortgages not just for over-55’s, but also for people well into retirement. In fact, these days there isn’t a maximum age for applying for
Whether Edith Nesbit’s charming tale The Railway Children was a childhood favourite or you have a hankering for a restoration project with a difference, for a property that really packs a punch it could be time to hop aboard the railway train. From Grand Designs to the Restoration Man, it is clear that the British
The coronavirus pandemic and resultant lockdown meant many of us spent more time in our homes than ever before. As a result, the ways in which we felt about our properties and wider communities shifted. At the end of June 2020 we commissioned global research company Censuswide to survey 2,003 adults across the UK to
Estate agents and industry insiders the length and breadth of the country have been calling for a stamp duty holiday to help kick-start the housing market following its Covid-19 shutdown. Indeed, during the period of lockdown, Zoopla’s Cities House Price Index showed a whopping 90 per cent decline in market activity. Social distancing restrictions were
In this new Covid-19 world, it may come as no surprise that gardens have suddenly become the deal-breakers when it comes to buying a new home, topping wishlists ahead of old-time favourites such as kitchens, bathrooms and short commutes. The ubiquitous banana bread and sour dough starter kit shots have been replaced on Instagram feeds
As parents we do a lot for our kids. Going to karate lessons, dashing to school with forgotten lunchboxes, listening to jazz-inspired recorder recitals… yep, our kids’ happiness is important. It’s why we want live in an area that provides them with every opportunity to thrive. Enter Yopa’s Happy Family Homes Guide. We’ve used our
We start this month with the two big house price indexes, one published by Halifax and one published by Nationwide. They provide a handy insight into the state of the housing market via data on their mortgage products.
If you live and work in London, you might have already considered moving out of town. Lower living costs and more space are just two benefits of travelling to work from outside the capital, especially for families with children. But commuting isn’t for everyone, particularly with the longer travel times and the potential expense of
