The process of moving house is undoubtedly one of the most significant experiences that any British native can experience, even more so when it involves the transition to a dream house.
With house prices going down to lower levels amid the COVID-19 crisis and increasing levels of supply, it may be safe to say that there’s no better time to buy a new home than today. In fact, British realtors are now hell-bent on prompting homebuyers to finally cash in on the opportunity at hand because of the many available options.
As you go over the different details of the buying process and weigh out your options, you’re bound to arrive at that point of no return where you’ll eventually realise that all your efforts are about to pay off. Among the different factors that you’ll need to consider as you move from one home base to another, however, there’s one that you probably haven’t considered yet: The average cost of moving house.
The importance of taking moving costs into mind
Whether you want to settle down in a mansion, condominium, apartment, townhome, or farm side property, you’re bound to start experiencing the effects of moving costs in one way or another.
Not to be confused with the actual listing price of a home, the cost of moving house encapsulates the range of different expenses that will be incurred by homebuyers during the transition process.
Unfortunately, many aspiring buyers fail to take this factor into consideration (or simply don’t know about it until it’s too late) and end up getting thrown off by rising costs. Some aspiring homeowners also back out of the process entirely or simply end up getting cut off in the midst of it all!
Going over the particulars
If you’re reading this article out of pure curiosity and the interest of coming into the buying process with as much information as possible, then give yourself a pat on the back because you’re on the right track.
Admittedly, the cost of moving house can be expensive due to all the payments involved that pop up until the property's keys change hands. Nevertheless, keeping an eye on what to expect will help you prepare much better. Given that the average cost of moving house is around £8,885, you may have one question on your mind that begs to be answered: what comprises the total cost in the first place?
At this point, let’s go over the different costs that you’ll encounter along the way as you ease into the experience of owning your dream home so that you won't set yourself up for unwanted surprises:
Upfront costs
Best defined as the set of expenses that are incurred at the beginning of the purchase process (long before keys and titles change hands), upfront costs typically bear higher expenses that need to be considered. Here are the most common and relevant upfront expenses that will leverage a significant impact and add a sum to your moving costs:
1. Valuations and surveys
One of the most significant upfront costs that buyers run into when getting their foot in the door of owning the property of their dreams is the valuations and surveys.
Often, these two expenses are tied together when budgeting moving costs because of how intrinsic one process is for the other and vice versa. Although these two services aren’t wholly necessary, it pays to get them done because they can help protect your best interest.
Valuation alludes to the process of ensuring that a property price is as realistic as possible and is based on the various factors that are related to a home’s value. On the other hand, surveys are reports generated by qualified professionals who document specific issues that you’ll need to watch out for as they could cost money in the future.
How much do these services cost?: Valuations are typically provided free of charge by lending institutions that render financial support for a mortgage. However, surveys can range from a basic condition report that costs around £250 to £300 to a comprehensive building survey that costs anywhere between £500 and £2,000.
2. Stamp duty
Although it is defined in various ways, the most helpful definition of stamp duty charges is that they’re a form of tax that aspiring home buyers must pay for when purchasing a home.
Compared to other costs that are incurred during the homebuying process, stamp duty is situational in nature. This means that you can either pay for it or not depending on your circumstances. In the case of buyers in Northern Ireland and England, for instance, homes that are less than £500,000 in value are not required to pay for this kind of duty!
How much does this cost?: Generally, the baseline stamp duty on homes that cost more than £500,000 are subject to a 5 per cent charge based on their value. Fortunately, the government has a Stamp Duty Land Tax calculator that you can access for a more accurate calculation of your payables.
3. Conveyancing fees
Although this term may not be familiar to you at first, solicitor fees are a vital factor to consider when weighing out the costs of moving house because they can charge more due to the complexities involved.
Entrusted with all the different legal aspects of purchasing a home, a trained solicitor or licensed conveyancer carries out the conveyancing process, which is a legally-driven endeavour that requires going through piles of paperwork. The main reason these fees are such a non-negotiable in the homebuying process is that they help prevent unwanted legal issues from popping up in the long run.
How much does this service cost?: There is no universal number when it comes to conveyancing fees because solicitors are independent practitioners who determine their own fees. Finding a conveyancing service that meets your needs and budget can be a difficult process because of how different factors (such as experience and training) can cause a shift in costs.
Thankfully, you won’t need to go door-to-door asking for quotes from different conveyancers because our Conveyancing Calculator can help take care of everything for you. Check out our online calculator for conveyancing quotes that are provided by SRA Regulated Solicitors & Licensed Conveyancers across the UK today!
Conclusion
While it may be easy to get caught up in the excitement and buzz of buying and moving into a new home, it is also critical to account for the different costs involved so that you don’t end up getting caught off-guard. With this guide's help, you can effectively allocate your budget and have a clear idea of what you’ll need to pay for before you settle down in your new abode!
Are you looking to streamline your home buying or selling process without taking any unnecessary risks along the way? Check out our conveyancing fees calculator today to get the best and most accurate conveyancing results from our team of fully-regulated and trained professionals!
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