How to Save Money on the Boring Parts of Buying a Property
May 06
There are lots of little costs that add up when you’re buying a property. You don’t often think about how much all the boring stuff costs, but when you add it all up, it’s a lot. There are ways you can minimise the costs though.
Mortgage Fees
There are added extras to think about when you’re taking out a mortgage. The first thing to think about is how much you can afford to pay on your deposit. There are deposit calculators you can use to work this out. These can be invaluable because it gives you a clear indication of what you can afford to spend.
Then you should shop around for mortgages, don’t take the first one that’s offered to you. Your circumstances are individual so a lender that’s right for someone else won’t necessarily be right for you. You should also look at the arrangement fee that the lender charges. Make sure it’s refundable because the deal could fall through, and you don’t want to waste your money.
Legal Costs
If your lender doesn’t cover the cost of legal services, this is something you’ll have to do. Property solicitors do important work. They make sure that you’re protected during the process and look after the conveyancing side of things. Conveyancing is where the solicitor makes sure that the property changes hands in the correct and legal way.
If your lender does recommend a property solicitor to you, make sure you compare the costs of other solicitors before making your decision. Don’t be pressured into taking the first one that’s offered to you. You can get both commercial property solicitors in Yorkshire (or wherever you are located) and for residential properties too. So make sure you are certain with your choices before investing.
Removal Costs
Because it arrives towards the end of the process, a lot of people forget to factor removal costs into their moving budget. This is a mistake though, as removal companies often charge a lot of money. Look at every option open to you before you do hire a removal company though.
If you’re moving from a rented property that was fully furnished, you might not have a lot to move. If that’s the case, you might be able to pack everything into the back of your car. Even if you do have a lot to move, you might save a lot of money by hiring a van and doing the moving yourself.
Repairs and Furniture
There are things to think about even once the move is complete. If you’ve bought a property on the cheap, there might be faults and redecoration jobs to do, and these cost money. Try doing as much of it as you can by yourself rather than hire someone to do it for you. This will save you a lot of money.
Furniture can be a big expense if you’ve been used to renting furnished properties in the past. If you have to buy furniture, make sure you buy second-hand stuff. Or ask around friends and family and see if anyone has any old furniture they no longer want. Then you won’t have to spend a penny.
Buying a house is a long and expensive process, but if you follow my tips, you should save a bit of cash.
