How Do Shared Ownership Valuations Work? With house prices soaring, many young people and those who earn low incomes fear that they might never be able to own their own home. Shared ownership has been introduced as a potential solution to the housing crisis in Britain. In September 2020, the Government announced that there would be over £12bn provided in funding for affordable housing, and this is expected to deliver Read More…
A Guide to Property Valuations If you are considering purchasing a new property or re-mortgaging your current home, the mortgage lender will carry out a valuation survey of your property to determine what the property is worth and make sure that it is in line with the amount that you are planning to pay for it or the re-mortgage amount. If you are currently in the process of selling your Read More…
What is a Structural Survey? If you are thinking of buying a new home, you will need to have some kind of survey carried out. There are various types of surveys to choose from, and many potential home buyers might be wondering whether they will need to have a structural survey done, or whether a more basic home survey will be sufficient. We’ll take a look at the different types Read More…
A Change of Address Checklist for Homemovers Moving house is an exciting experience, but there are several things that you’ll need to do to ensure that the right people and organisations are informed about your change of address. An easy way to ensure that you continue receiving post at your new address is to use Royal Mail’s post redirection service. This will redirect any mail addressed to your old home Read More…
How Long Do Building Surveys Take? If you’ve found a property that you like and want to begin the process of purchasing it, it is wise to have a survey carried out to inspect the property for any signs of issues or damage that might lead to costly repairs for you in the future. Building surveys are designed to provide you with important information pertaining to the property, particularly when Read More…
A Guide to Mortgage Valuation Surveys If you are planning to purchase a property and apply for a mortgage, the mortgage lender will carry out a valuation survey or mortgage valuation to check that the property is worth the price that you are planning to pay for it. A mortgage lender may also need to perform a valuation survey on your property if you are planning to re-mortgage your current Read More…
A Guide to Subsidence Subsidence can be a nightmare for homeowners since it can cause serious problems for your home. Subsidence occurs due to the sinking of the ground beneath the property, which leads to the collapse and sinking of your home’s foundations. As a result, the support, structure, and stability of the property may be weakened considerably. What Causes Subsidence? Subsidence may occur in a home for a number Read More…
While you may often hear asbestos referred to by colour, such as white or blue asbestos, you cannot actually identify the type of asbestos used by colour alone. However, there are three main types that you should know about, which can be a range of different colours. Chrysotile (White Asbestos): Chrysotile is known as white asbestos and was the last type of this material to finally be banned in the Read More…
Purlins are horizontal bars or beams that are used for structural support in the construction of a roof. They are supported either by the walls of the building or by rafters. Although they are usually used in metal roof constructions, they can sometimes be used to replace rafters fitted closely together in a wooden roof frame. The purlins are designed to support the weight of the roof deck, which is Read More…
The roof void is a space that is situated beneath the roof structure and above the ceiling joists of the top floor in your home, also known as a loft. The condition of the roof void can offer insight into the condition and age of a property and provide more information on the watertight condition of roof coverings and flashings. Some common defects that occur in roof voids and can Read More…