Frequently Asked Questions

Start by working out your budget with a mortgage adviser and getting a mortgage in principle, which shows sellers you can borrow what you need. Then choose a conveyancer, so you are ready to move quickly once an offer is accepted. After that, shortlist homes on this site and book viewings from each listing page.

Beyond the layout and the location, look at the age of the boiler and roof, signs of damp, the EPC rating, the council tax band and, for flats, the lease length and service charge. Visit the street at different times of day. Our article “12 Questions to Ask at a Property Viewing” has a fuller checklist.

Yes. All offers must be passed to the seller. A lower offer is more likely to be considered if you can show you are in a strong position, for example a first-time buyer with a mortgage in principle and no chain.

A mortgage valuation is for the lender, not for you. For most homes, especially older ones, we recommend an independent survey from a RICS surveyor. A Level 2 survey suits most conventional homes; a Level 3 survey is better for older, larger or altered properties.

Yes. We can value your home, advise on preparing it for sale, arrange photographs and viewings, handle offers and keep the chain moving through to completion. Use the contact form to tell us the address and we will arrange a market appraisal.

We look at what comparable homes nearby have actually sold for recently, then adjust for size, condition, outside space and parking. We explain how we reached the figure rather than just giving a number.

You will need an Energy Performance Certificate before marketing, plus proof of identity. Your conveyancer will ask for certificates for building work, window replacements and electrical work, guarantees, and for flats a leasehold information pack.

In England you can be asked for a holding deposit of up to one week’s rent, a tenancy deposit of up to five weeks’ rent (where annual rent is under £50,000), and your first month’s rent. Agents cannot charge fees for viewings, referencing or setting up a tenancy.

It must be. On an assured shorthold tenancy, your landlord has to place the deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days and give you the details in writing.

It depends on the landlord and the building. Where pets are considered, the listing says so. If you have a pet, mention it in your enquiry so we can check before you view.

Many lenders will lend up to 90 or 95% of the price, so the minimum deposit is often 5 to 10%. A larger deposit usually gets you a lower interest rate. Remember to budget separately for stamp duty, legal fees, a survey and moving costs.

Speak to a mortgage adviser or broker, who will look at your income, outgoings and credit history and tell you roughly how much you can borrow. They can then arrange a mortgage in principle. The calculator on each listing page gives a quick estimate of monthly repayments, but it is not advice.

It uses the standard repayment formula on the price, deposit, interest rate and term you enter. It does not include fees, insurance or changes in interest rates, so treat it as a guide only.

Buyers usually pay conveyancing fees, searches, a survey, stamp duty where applicable, and mortgage fees. Sellers usually pay conveyancing fees, the estate agent’s fee and the cost of an EPC. Ask for written quotes before you commit.

With a freehold you own the building and the land it stands on outright. With a leasehold you own the right to live in the property for a fixed number of years, and usually pay ground rent and service charges. Most flats in England are leasehold.

From an accepted offer to completion typically takes around three to four months in England, although it can be quicker with no chain and slower for leasehold properties or long chains.

No. This is a concept website designed and built by Geminate Solutions to show what a modern estate agency site can do. The listings, agents and articles are sample content, but the forms, search, filters and favourites all work.

Your message is stored securely so the team can reply by email, usually within one working day. We only use your details to respond to you. See the privacy policy for exactly what we keep and for how long.

Saved properties are kept in your own browser using local storage. Nothing is sent to us, there is no account to create, and clearing your browser data removes them.