Your Guide to Buying a House and Moving: Fees and Tips

Posted on: Monday, 19 October 2020

Buying and moving into a new house is one of the most significant changes and financial decisions that you may face. There are a lot of fees that you need to take note of so that you know exactly how much this significant change costs. Fortunately, we have just the information and tips you need to help you secure your new dream home.

This article will talk about the different costs that you need to account for when buying a house and moving. We will also discuss critical tips to guide you through this big change. Take this as an opportunity to be responsible for this big purchase and life change.

The Basic Costs of Buying a House and Moving

There are major upfront costs associated with buying a house and moving, but you may also find other charges along the way. Take note of the following costs and crosscheck it with your current financial records:

1. Deposit

The deposit refers to the payable sum, which is your first instalment for your house purchase. It’s referred to as a pledge stipulated in your contract with the buyer. The average deposit is at least five to twenty per cent of the house’s price. The general rule for the deposit is that if it is larger, you may likely be given a mortgage for a lower interest rate.

2. Stamp Duty

The stamp duty is a government tax placed by the government for house purchases, but it depends on the house’s price tag. The general ruling is you don’t have to pay for stamp tax when the property you are purchasing costs up to 500,000 pounds, whether or not this is your first time buying a property. When you purchase a property over that rate, you have to pay a stamp tax based on the property’s value.

There are also different stamp tax-related fees depending on where you are buying the property. Like say in Wales, you would need to pay a Land Transaction Tax. Consult with a home purchase specialist to get the information you need on stamp tax.

3. Surveyor’s Fee

The surveyor’s fee is a vital aspect of your house purchase since the surveyor will check whether there are pressing issues that need fixing on the property. It’s like a safety check for you, as the house buyer, to determine what needs immediate repairs before you move in. The cost of the surveyor’s fee ranges from 250 to 600 pounds, but it depends on the extent of the surveying job.

4. Legal fees

Legal fees are essential since you need a licensed solicitor or conveyor to initiate all the legal obligations when buying a house. The average conveyancing fees range from 850 to 1,500 pounds, depending on the property and chosen conveyor. Fortunately for you, there are budget-saving options to compare conveyancing quotes.

At Conveyancing Calculator, you can use our professional and convenient conveyancing calculator to find the best price for your house purchase. Doing so allows you to efficiently account for the legal obligations of your home at the fully maximised price. Through this, you can put your focus into other pressing house concerns, like the mortgage and big move.

5. Property and Life Insurance

Your safety and financial security in your new home are vital because they enable you to gain convenient services during emergencies, such as fires and floods. The average property and life insurance costs vary since there is no set value for most insurance companies. It’s best to consult your mortgage lender or other home purchasing specialists to receive an accurate estimate.

6. Mortgage Processing Fees

Most new home buyers know about the cost of their mortgage and its interest rate. However, you also need to be mindful of the other processing fees that come with it. Doing so will allow you to prepare enough money for the payments and budget your daily living expenses.

For general lenders, mortgage processing costs include the booking fee, mortgage valuation fee, and an arrangement fee. It has an average cost of 2,400 pounds, but you may also pay higher. It’s best to compare mortgage rates and lenders to ensure that you get the best offer for your home purchase.

7. Moving Costs

Moving costs account for the fees charged by the removal firm to transfer your home belongings to your new property, which ranges from 300 to 600 pounds, depending on the volume of items to move, the distance of your old property to the new one, and the manpower needed for the job. You can also move your house items yourself by renting a van, which may be the more cost-effective option.

Financial Tips for Buying a House and Moving

Consider the following tips to guide you through the house buying and moving process:

1. Take note of your existing debt situation: Remember—buying a house costs a lot of money, and you need to pay it for a while. It includes the daily living expenses, things that you may need in your new home, and other related costs. Your current debt can burden you from meeting these obligations. Make sure that you have a strategic financial plan for paying debts and growing your savings.

2. Consider your current income as a family: Your combined income from your new home purchase is an essential step towards buying your home and moving into it with ease. You need to be strict with your spending habits and see whether you can bring in enough money through what you earn at work for your new home. You may also want to consider looking for a new job with a higher salary.

3. Give away or sell the home furnishings you don’t need: As you get ready to move to your new home, you may find things that you no longer need. You can use these to your advantage by giving them to your loved ones or selling them. Doing so will allow you to save on the moving costs and prepare for this new life change.

4. Consult with professionals in the house purchasing industry: You may not have the experience and information you need to buy and move into your new home. Fortunately, there are different experts to approach to assist you with that. For instance, our certified conveyancing or solicitors at Conveyancing Calculator and more than willing to help you discuss legalities about your home purchase. Consulting with experts enables you to make the best choices for your new home.

Conclusion

The cost to move and buy a house has many conveyancing fees that you need to consider. Fortunately, there are convenient tools and services that you can use to calculate and keep track of the process. Take note of all the previously mentioned fees and tips today to move on with your new housing plans.

Are you in need of the best value conveyancing services in the U.K.? We at Conveyancing Calculator can provide you with that. We are your online conveyancing service that can connect you with a UK-regulated SRA property solicitor or a CLC licensed conveyancer. Log on to our website today to take advantage of our professional conveyancing calculator.