Nearly every other first-time buyer receives some financial assistance from their parents. And the scale of that helping hand from the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ is staggering: something like £15 billion a year in the UK, according to the Institute of Fiscal Studies. But cash gifts or mortgage support are not the only ways
A solid building, made of bricks and mortar, seems an unlikely target for thieves. For most of us our homes evoke a powerful sense of security; ‘safe as houses’ as the old saying goes. But the facts tell a different story, as there has been an exponential growth in property fraud which now accounts for
Furniture designer Jonathan Downing this week successfully sued the former owner of his house after discovering a large amount of Japanese knotweed in his garden. The previous owner of the property, not far from us over in Raynes Park, Surrey, was ordered by Central London County Court to pay damages plus Mr Downing’s legal costs.
It takes between eight and 12 weeks on average to complete the purchase of a new home. Many factors determine how long the conveyancing process will take. However, solicitors frequently cite the local land charges search as a cause of delay. But what are local land charges, and why do they matter? Leanne Reid, a
Equity release service provided by KWW Solicitors
Downsizing is, at its most simple, moving to a smaller property. People often associate downsizing with retirement, although it can appeal equally to active empty-nesters attracted looking to release some of their equity. Eve Wilson, a partner and conveyancer at KWW Solicitors in East Molesey, agrees. “Whatever your age, there are advantages and disadvantages to
Eco features matter more to some home buyers than the size of the garden, according to a recent survey by Money.com. Solar panels now rank ahead of en-suite bathrooms on our property wish-list and, as energy prices rise, this trend looks set to continue. So, if you are selling your home, how do you appeal
Summer is in full swing and it is not uncommon to want to prolong that holiday feeling and dream of investing in a holiday home which allows you to return to your favourite spot more frequently. Holiday home ownership has boomed recently and in 2021 second homes accounted for more than 24,000 purchases. Many of
The Government has announced that the abolition of ground rents in residential leases will come into force on June 30, 2022. The move is one of the main provisions of the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 (LRGRA 2022) which applies to all new residential long leases being granted and voluntary lease extensions where the
First-time buyers today must find, on average, a deposit equal to a year’s salary. With almost half relying on parental assistance, the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ has never been so popular. House price affordability and the phasing out of the Help to Buy scheme make this trend set to continue. “It is natural to