The Costs Involved When Buying a House

22 Jan 2019

by Helen Thring

Buying a house or flat is probably one of the biggest financial decisions and historically one of the best financial decisions we are likely to make in our lifetimes. Of course, many of us will need to borrow money in the form of a mortgage in order to make our first purchase, but that is far away from being the only cost we are likely to incur. Here are a few more to consider;

The Deposit

It is normal for a homebuyer to have to find at least 5-10% of the purchase price to use as a deposit. There is help available from the Government for buyers on new homes or buyer with no current home.

How Much Deposit do I need to Buy a House?

Stamp Duty

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is charged by the Government and unless your new property is under the lower threshold (£125,000) then you are probably going to have to pay something. At the time of writing, SDLT for owner occupiers is as follows;

£0 – £125,0000 0% £125,001 – £250,000 2% of the sum between the bands plus£250,001 – £925,000 5% of the sum between the bands plus£925,001 – £1,500,000 10% of the sum between the bands£1,500,001 and over 12%

Please Note: SDLT for buyers of even low value residential investments is considerably higher.

What is Stamp Duty Land Tax and When do I pay it?

Solicitors’ Fees

These can vary but expect to pay between £450 and £1,800 dependent on the value of the property and the work involved. Always ask for a quote before engaging your solicitor or Licensed Conveyancer.

Conveyancing Expenses

Your solicitor / conveyancer will also incur expenses on your behalf, including local authority search fees, Land Registry Fees etc. There may also be charges for bank transfers and photocopying. It’s worth checking your terms of engagement. These costs are likely to be between £250 and £1,000 dependent on the value of your new home and what is chargeable.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Conveyancing for Home Buyers

Mortgage Arrangement Fees, Interest & Penalties

Lenders charge a variety of fees and expenses and costs tend to vary from company to company. The unwary borrower can easily be saddled with lots of ‘hidden fees’ which, whilst included in the agreement, might not always be completely apparent at the time of purchase.

We recommend you take advice from an Independent Mortgage Broker before agreeing to any new mortgage. Fees may vary depending on how large a deposit you put down and in many cases the fees can be added to the mortgage sum and paid off over the period of the loan.

6 Tips to Get Your Mortgage Approved

Mortgage Indemnity Guarantee

This charge is payable by the borrower when a deposit of less than 25% of the valuation is put down. The insurance covers the lender in the event that you later default on your loan and the net equity (the money left) after the sale of the property does not cover all that you owe. This can be several hundred pounds or even a couple of thousand pounds although in many cases it can be added to the loan amount.

Valuation Report

The lender will require a professional opinion confirming that the property upon which they are making a mortgage offer is worth what they need it to be worth. In addition, it may well be prudent for a buyer to have a professional confirm that they are not paying over the odds for the property. There are a variety of valuation reports and surveys available at differing costs.

A basic mortgage valuation should cost between £150 and £1,500 dependent on the value of the property. Some lenders do offer free valuations as part of certain mortgage deals.

What is a Valuation Survey?

Life Insurance

When you take on a new mortgage, you are committing to a significant long term loan. It’s prudent that you will be looking for life insurance so as to repay the loan or cover monthly payments for a period of time in the event of your death. Failure to insure against this risk may leave your family exposed to the trauma of eviction at what is already going to be a very difficult time. Ask us for more details on this potentially complex subject.

Furniture Removals Company

If you are a first-time buyer you might be relying on friends and family to help move you. If not, you’re likely to use a professional removals company to help move your furniture, etc. Either way, you are likely to incur some costs (maybe van hire) which you should allow for in your budget. Budget between £100 to hire a van up to several thousand pounds for the full service.

How to Choose a Removal Company.

SKY Satellite / Box & White Goods / Carpets & Curtains

Remember to take your existing box and card with you when you move (if you own it). If not, you may have upfront costs such as dish installation and account opening fees to budget for when you move into your new home. Do you need to buy a washing machine or fridge? What about carpets and curtains? The costs can really mount up here so be clear what is included in your purchase.

Cable / Broadband Connection & Other Utilities

Again, some utility businesses will make small charges for connection but this can mount up into the hundreds in some cases. Check what is on offer before you sign up.

How to handle Utility Providers when Moving Home.

Home Insurance

Don’t forget to insure your new home and its contents! If you have a mortgage you must have buildings insurance although contents insurance is optional. This is unlikely to cost more than £100 – £200 p.a. dependent on the sum insured.

Basic Guide to Home Insurance