Blog

Property insights,
straight talking.

17 May 2026·14 min read

Can You Get a Mortgage on a House with an EPC Rating of F or G?

Yes — mortgages are available on EPC F and G properties, but the lender pool is reduced and the rules are tightening. Here's what you need to know before applying.

buying valuation

17 May 2026·15 min read

Property Valuations in Marylebone and Wigmore: What Buyers Need to Know

Marylebone property valuations are shaped by the Howard de Walden Estate freeholder, Conservation Area restrictions, and a micro-market variation that makes postcode averages almost meaningless. Here's what actually drives prices.

valuation buying selling

10 May 2026·14 min read

Property Valuations in London Bridge and SE1: What Buyers Need to Know

SE1 spans one of London's most varied property markets — from riverside warehouse conversions at £10,000 per square metre to ex-council flats at half that price, often a few streets apart. Here's what drives the difference.

valuation buying selling

10 May 2026·12 min read

What Is a Down-Valuation and What Can You Do About It?

A down-valuation happens when your lender values a property lower than the price you've agreed to pay. It doesn't have to end the sale — but it does require a clear-headed response. Here's what it means and what your options actually are.

buying valuation

6 May 2026·15 min read

Property Valuations in Knightsbridge: What Drives Prices in SW1X and SW3

Knightsbridge property valuations are shaped by factors that don't apply elsewhere in London. Here's what actually drives prices in SW1X and SW3 — and what buyers and sellers need to understand before acting.

valuation buying selling

6 April 2026·11 min read

Can You Pull Out of a House Sale After Exchange?

Pulling out of a house sale after exchange of contracts is legally possible — but the financial and legal consequences are severe for whichever side defaults. Here's exactly what happens and what your options are.

buying selling

6 April 2026·11 min read

How Long Do Conveyancing Searches Take?

Conveyancing searches are one of the most common causes of delay in UK property transactions. Here's how long each type takes, why local authority searches vary so wildly, and what you can do to speed things up.

buying

6 April 2026·19 min read

What Factors Affect House Valuations in London? A Complete Guide for Buyers and Sellers

London property valuations are shaped by factors that simply don't apply elsewhere in the UK. Here's what actually determines value — including what estate agents won't always tell you.

valuation buying selling

1 April 2026·10 min read

Exchange of Contracts and Completion Day Explained

Exchange and completion are the two moments that make a property sale legally binding and physically real. Here's exactly what happens at each stage — and what you need to do to be ready.

buying selling

1 April 2026·11 min read

How to Buy a House at Auction in the UK

Buying at auction is faster and more certain than a traditional purchase — but the risks are concentrated upfront, before you've even placed a bid. Here's how the process works and how to approach it without getting burned.

buying

1 April 2026·9 min read

How Does a Mortgage Valuation Differ from a House Survey?

A mortgage valuation and a house survey sound similar but serve completely different purposes. Confusing the two is one of the most common — and costly — mistakes UK buyers make.

buying valuation

1 April 2026·11 min read

What to Do If a Property Sale Falls Through

Around one in three UK property sales collapse before completion. Here's what to do if it happens to you — whether you're the buyer, the seller, or both — and how to protect yourself next time.

buying selling

29 March 2026·8 min read

What Is a Homebuyer Survey and Is It Worth It?

Fewer than one in ten UK buyers commission a survey. The ones who skip it face an average of £5,750 in unexpected repairs. Here's what a homebuyer survey actually covers — and why it's worth every penny.

buying

29 March 2026·9 min read

What Happens After an Offer Is Accepted on a House?

An accepted offer is the beginning, not the end. Here's exactly what happens between offer acceptance and getting the keys — and what you can do to keep things moving.

buying selling

29 March 2026·11 min read

What Is Gazumping and How Do You Protect Against It?

Gazumping affects more than a third of UK buyers and is entirely legal. Here's what it is, why it happens, what it costs — and the practical steps that actually reduce your risk.

buying

26 March 2026·9 min read

Should I Sell My House Before Buying a New One?

Sell first and you have certainty but no home. Buy first and you have a home but no certainty. Here's how to think through the decision — and what most people get wrong.

buying selling

26 March 2026·8 min read

What Is a Property Chain and How Do You Manage It?

Most UK house sales happen within a chain. Here's how they work, why they collapse, and what you can do to protect your move.

buying selling

26 March 2026·9 min read

What Is Conveyancing and How Long Does It Take?

Conveyancing is the legal process that makes a property sale happen. Most people don't understand it until something goes wrong. Here's what it involves, what it costs, and how long to expect.

buying selling

17 March 2026·10 min read

How Much Does It Cost to Buy a House in the UK?

The purchase price is just the start. Here's a full breakdown of every cost you'll face when buying a house in the UK — and how much to budget for each one.

buying

17 March 2026·9 min read

What Does an EPC Rating Mean When Buying or Selling a House?

An EPC rating affects your energy bills, your mortgage options, and how much your home is worth. Here's what buyers and sellers need to know.

buying selling valuation

17 March 2026·9 min read

What Type of Survey Do I Need When Buying a House?

Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 — choosing the wrong survey could cost you thousands. Here's how to pick the right one for the property you're buying.

buying

17 March 2026·10 min read

Why Do House Prices Vary So Much on the Same Street?

Two identical houses on the same street can sell for tens of thousands of pounds apart. Here's exactly why — and what it means if you're buying or selling.

valuation buying selling

6 March 2026·8 min read

How to Negotiate House Price as a Buyer in the UK

Four in ten UK buyers successfully negotiate below the asking price. Here's how to research, position yourself, and make an offer that sticks.

buying

6 March 2026·9 min read

Questions to Ask When Viewing a House in the UK

Most buyers focus on how a property looks. The ones who buy well focus on what it's worth and what they don't know yet. Here are the questions that matter.

buying

5 March 2026·8 min read

Do Estate Agents Overvalue Houses to Win Business?

Some do — and it costs UK homeowners time, money and stress. Here's how the practice works, what it costs you, and how to protect yourself before you sign anything.

valuation buying

Property insights,straight talking.

Can You Get a Mortgage on a House with an EPC Rating of F or G?

Property Valuations in Marylebone and Wigmore: What Buyers Need to Know

Property Valuations in London Bridge and SE1: What Buyers Need to Know

What Is a Down-Valuation and What Can You Do About It?

Property Valuations in Knightsbridge: What Drives Prices in SW1X and SW3

Can You Pull Out of a House Sale After Exchange?

How Long Do Conveyancing Searches Take?

What Factors Affect House Valuations in London? A Complete Guide for Buyers and Sellers

Exchange of Contracts and Completion Day Explained

How to Buy a House at Auction in the UK

How Does a Mortgage Valuation Differ from a House Survey?

What to Do If a Property Sale Falls Through

What Is a Homebuyer Survey and Is It Worth It?

What Happens After an Offer Is Accepted on a House?

What Is Gazumping and How Do You Protect Against It?

Should I Sell My House Before Buying a New One?

What Is a Property Chain and How Do You Manage It?

What Is Conveyancing and How Long Does It Take?

How Much Does It Cost to Buy a House in the UK?

What Does an EPC Rating Mean When Buying or Selling a House?

What Type of Survey Do I Need When Buying a House?

Why Do House Prices Vary So Much on the Same Street?

How to Negotiate House Price as a Buyer in the UK

Questions to Ask When Viewing a House in the UK

Do Estate Agents Overvalue Houses to Win Business?

Property insights,
straight talking.