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Garage Conversion
Is a garage conversion a cost effective way to improve your home?
How to plant a mini orchard
Five trees are said to make an orchard, but a couple is all that’s needed to produce blossom in spring and flavourful fruit
Electric Vehicles (EVs), Facts and Fiction
Everything you wanted to know about electric vehicles!
Can I buy my council house?
What is the Right to Buy Scheme, and how does it work?
3 reasons why house sales fall through
What can cause a property sale to fail?
Buying and selling adjoining garden land
A growing population, coupled with land scarcity and the tendency to develop to the hilt in densely populated areas, means outdoor space is often at a premium.
Chancel Repair Liability- what is it and do I need insurance?
What is chancel repair liability? And do you need indemnity insurance?
What is Probate?
Probate is the legal process by which a will is reviewed by the court to determine whether the document is valid and authentic
Trees: Rights and Responsibilities
Several pieces of legislation (such as Private Nuisance Law and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1989, amongst others) apply to tree ownership and can come into play where disputes arise.
Running a Business from Home: Case Study
We look at a case study of a home-run business, client-facing and the impact that was felt, both in its set up and day-to-day operations
Restrictive Covenants and How to Protect Yourself
The phrase ‘Restrictive Covenant’ is something that many of us will have come across, without having really understood the meaning of or for that matter, the implications of.
Exploring the Boundaries of Fences
How do you work out which boundaries you are responsible for?
What is a Canal and Rivers Trust search and why do I need it?
These searches provide information from the Canal and River Trust’s records and give information on nearby rivers, canals and streams and any rights or responsibilities you may have related to them. If your property is near to a waterway, or has one running through it, you will need one of these searches.
What is a Highways search and why do I need it?
The result of this search will show you where the highways are in relation to your property and who is responsible for them.
What is a Planning search and why do I need it?
These searches will provide you with information about the surrounding area and any possible development near your dream home.
How long does it take to go through probate?
While the time it takes to go through probate varies, the process can take a while due to legal and tax issues that need resolving
What is an Energy and Transportation search and why do I need it?
These searches will provide you with information about any energy and transportation infrastructure near to the property you are buying. For example, HS2, Crossrail, fracking or wind farms.
What is an Index Map search and why do I need it?
A search of the index map, or SIM, as it’s usually referred to, is a search of the Land Registry’s mapping records.
What is a Fuller's Earth search and why do I need it?
These searches will provide you with information about Fuller’s Earth deposits within the vicinity of your property and any associated hazards.
What are pre-completion searches and why do I need them?
These are a group of searches carried out by your conveyancing professional to check that nothing about the property you are buying has changed during the conveyancing process.
Tree Preservation Orders
What is Tree Preservation Order (TPO) and is it something to be worried about?
Buying a Property for Rental
Buying a property to rent is one such investment and it is as important as any other major decision to get the facts and do the maths.
What’s involved in buying a property in Scotland?
The process of buying property in Scotland differs in some ways to buying elsewhere in the UK. Potential buyers must understand the unique features of the Scottish system to avoid incurring huge legal costs.
The property conundrum - should you sell your home before you buy?
Deciding whether to sell before you buy your next property can be a real head scratcher
What you should consider if you are looking to buy a new build property
New build properties have a distinct allure for many buyers, as they can be customised with preferred fixtures and fittings and offer the prospect of a low-maintenance, energy-efficient house, generating lower energy bills, but what should you know before buying one?
What is a ground stability search and why do I need it?
These searches will provide you with information about any ground instability risks to your property from either natural or man-made hazards.
What is a Radon Gas search and why is it important?
Every building contains radon, but the levels are usually low. Elevated levels are mostly found in South West and North West England. In order to avoid potentially serious health risks when buying property, the radon risk must be assessed.
What is a Cheshire Brine search and why is it important?
If you are purchasing property in this area of North West England, salt extraction poses a number of risks that mean you should definitely consider requesting one of these searches.
What is a limestone search and why is it important?
Since the 17th Century, the Peak District has been the UK’s largest lime and limestone producer. If you are purchasing property in the West Midlands, you need to seriously consider requesting one of these searches.
What is a Bath Stone search/report and why is it important?
This search is required in Northeast Somerset/Avon and West Wiltshire where it was worked from open cast quarries and underground mines, some of which are still active. If you are buying in these areas, these searches apply to you.
What is a tin mining search/report and why is it important?
This search is required in parts of Cornwall and Devon where tin and other metal ores have been mined for years. If you are buying in the South West, these searches apply to you.
What are china and ball clay searches and why are they important?
The UK is a leading world producer of china clay (Kaolin) and ball clay. If you are buying a property in Cornwall, Devon or Dorset, these searches apply to you.
What are Coal and Brine Searches and why are they important?
Much of the UK was covered with various mining works, 33% or our homes are within 250m of a potential hazard.
What are Flood Risk Searches or Reports and why are they important?
Just because the property hasn’t flooded in the last ten years and it’s on a hill, doesn’t mean it will be fine for the next ten years.
What are Chancel Searches and why are they important?
Find out whether you will be liable for the upkeep of the local church’s chancel. Yes, really!
What are Environmental Searches and why are they important?
Find out whether the property you are buying is built on or near contaminated land or water, or an old landfill site.
What are Water and Drainage Searches and why are they important?
Find out where the water supply comes from and whether there are any drains that might affect your future plans
What are Land Registry searches and why are they important?
Conducting a search of the register identifies the true owner of the piece of land or property you are hoping to buy.
What is a local search and why do I need it?
These searches will provide you with any information held by the council on issues like planning, building control, highways or pollution.
What I can do to make my house homely on a budget?
With prices rapidly rising, thanks to the stamp duty holiday and additional demand for property, just getting your hands on the keys can sap all of your budget as a first time buyer - leaving you with nothing left to play with to make your house your own
What gives a home historical value?
There are many things that can give a home historical value and some places don’t need to be that old to get the historical label.
How do I settle an informal boundary dispute?
When negotiation fails, taking matters into your own hands – and avoiding court – is often the most effective solution
Get winter colour to your garden
Gardens don’t have to be dull and drab in winter. With a little thought you can introduce colour and interest all year round
What does a Conveyancer do?
When it comes to buying and selling your home, you need to be sure of your legal rights. Do you employ a solicitor or a conveyancer? Is there a difference, and what do they actually do?
Splashing out on sinks and taps
Once upon a time, a tap simply delivered hot and cold water; now it can also offer boiling, chilled, filtered or even sparkling water. Stylish sinks and high-tech taps make classy kitchens - but don’t forget the practicalities
Green roofs: a growing trend
Green roofs are sprouting up across the UK. They can range from rooftop gardens with shrubs and water features to rolled-out green carpets of perennials and low-growing grasses. A green roof will boost your home’s eco-friendly credentials.
Is recessing plumbing a good idea?
Ah, the joys of plaster boarding. No more unsightly wiring or pipes! But is hiding everything away really a good idea?
How important is parking at a property when you’re buying?
You have found your dream home and have managed to park just down the road for your viewing. Imagine your pain once you have exchanged and completed to find out that the nearest space you can park after 5.30pm on a workday is nearly two miles away!
Is now the time for first-time buyers to get on the property ladder?
Interest rates have fallen, banks are approving more loans and there are even deals when you don’t need a deposit.
Conveyancing made easy
Whether buying or selling a property, conveyancing is pivotal to the process. Here’s our easy-to-understand guide
What are disbursements?
In conveyancing, disbursements are fees and taxes paid by a solicitor to third parties on your behalf as part of the house buying or selling process. The solicitor will pass on these costs to you
How do I choose the right solicitor?
As soon as you’ve agreed an offer to sell or buy a home, you will need to choose a solicitor. But what do you need to know before choosing?
Garden makeovers to add value
How can you improve your garden to boost your home’s kerb appeal and potentially its value?
Case study: house buying in the digital age
When Chloe and her husband Jordan bought their first home in Southampton they opted for an online firm to handle the conveyancing and legal work instead of a High Street solicitor.
Confused by conveyancing: jargon buster
What’s a title or transfer deed? What’s the difference between a property survey and a search? Here’s a guide to the terms you’ll hear a lot of when you buy your first home.
Clearing out a house after a relative dies
When a relative dies, it can be a daunting task to sort through years of accumulated possessions. Something as simple as an old hat or box of photos can spark memories. But if you want to sell the house, it needs to be emptied. Here are a few tips to help you get the job done
Big city house prices lower than before financial crash ten years ago
Property values have struggled to recover in Liverpool and Newcastle while Cambridge and London are more than 65% higher, highlighting regional differences.
Choosing a property for investment purposes
Dabbling in the property investment market has its challenges but even though times are tough it is still possible to make a reasonable return with careful planning, research and hard work.
Selling your home by Christmas
It’s not long until Christmas and festive lights are already switched on in city centres, so is it possible to sell your home before it’s time to carve the turkey?
The property market – London’s influence
What with inflation, economic growth and general confidence increasing in recent times, the property market of today is very different to that of 30 years ago.
House prices biggest monthly fall for six years
UK house price growth slows amid Brexit uncertainty and stagnant wages.
Designing a Garden room
Whether you have a young family or easing up for retirement, there are many reasons to consider creating a garden room. It can provide a place to escape and relax, an overflow guest bedroom, home office or studio.
Top tips to reduce risk of your move falling through
Nearly a third of home buyers see their property deal collapse after their offer is accepted – and it costs on average £3,000. We look at the steps you can take to reduce the risk.
Landlords, EPCs and Expenses: What’s Changing For The Rental Market
From April 2018, UK landlords will have to hit a minimum EPC level before renting their property to new tenants. For those of you who are unaware of this legislation – or wondering what it means – GoSimple are here to explain the next steps, and how you could reduce the impact of the changes…
A Guide to Conveyancing
If you are new to buying and selling properties - our guide to Conveyancing will help you understand what is involved
How to save for a deposit
Unless you have family willing to stump up large cash sums, raising the deposit can be the biggest hurdle to home ownership. So how can you save for a deposit?
The Party Wall etc Act 1996 A Brief Overview for Surveyors
A paper which discusses the applicability of the Party Wall Act where no initiating notice has been served, and in particular the use of retrospective awards
Lifetime ISA
How does the new Lifetime ISA work?
Whose land and which boundary - where?
A CPD Paper on Boundary disputes presented by Carl Calvert
The Help To Buy Scheme
What is the Help to Buy Scheme and how can you get it?
Buying a Home
Things to consider when buying a house.
Selling Your Home
Things to consider when selling your home.
Managing The Client
By Peter Webster MA (Cantab)
A paper detailing six projects which turned “bad” for the professionals involved because the client was not happy
Improving Your Home
Find suppliers who can help you with improving your home
Problems With Your Home
Get contacts to help with problems in your home.