News

If you’re buying, selling or letting, property jargon can leave you scratching your head in confusion. Don’t worry, it’s a common problem. Long and wordy documents, quick-talking professionals and the different parties involved can leave you flustered by the terminology.

Open house events are an increasingly popular way to sell your home and if carried out effectively, can contribute to a smooth and stress-free selling process.

Chancellor Phillip Hammond’s 2018 Budget was announced earlier this week and with it came some positive changes to housing and planning. In addition to the expected extension of Help to Buy, Mr Hammond introduced a number of new initiatives which should stimulate the housing market.

The chancellor will outline the government's plans for tax and spending for the new financial year this Monday – so what could this mean for homeowners? It's predicted that buy-to-let landlords may be the most affected by this Autumn's Budget, with possible changes to stamp duty, tenancy agreements and capital gains tax. It's hoped that whatever's suggested will help to stimulate the housing market, rather than hinder it.

Buying your first property can be a struggle, so when you finally conquer the first rung on the ladder you’ll undoubtedly relax (and rightly so!) The problem that many homeowners are encountering, is that when their current fixed-rate mortgage deal comes to the end of its fixed term, they are finding themselves trapped in expensive variable-rate mortgages with nowhere to turn.

Your offer is accepted, you go through the lengthy legal process and you’re ready to exchange contracts. But then you get the phone call you’ve been dreading… the sale has fallen through. Not only have you racked up a huge legal bill but you also have to endure the emotional and practical implications.

We all know that a big deposit will go a long way in helping you to buy your dream home. The common belief is that we have to obtain a lump sum of money to get us there, although small savings along the way can help too.

Once again, your local branch of Douglas Allen is taking part in The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning on Friday 28th September, to help raise funds for MacMillan Cancer Support.

After years of speculation about interest rates, the Bank of England have announced that interest rates are rising from 0.5% to 0.75%.

Are you the type of person who shops around for the best phone contract? Do you compare prices for gadgets to make sure you’re getting the best deal before you buy? It makes sense to apply these skills to what’s likely to be your biggest financial commitment: your mortgage. If done correctly, you could potentially save thousands per year, but there are some definite negatives if you rush into it without considering all the angles.