August 01, 2019 | Posted by :
J Morris |
Blog
A
new ruling may affect separating couples by increasing the amount of capital
gains tax (CGT) paid by those who choose to move out of the family home before
the property is sold.
Capital
gains tax is applicable when you sell an asset that has increased in value
since its purchase. Property is one of the most commonly taxed asset, and also
often makes up the most valuable shared asset for divorcing couples.
Current
rules state that to avoid paying capital gains tax you must sell a property
within 18 months of moving out. However, as of April 2020, this timeframe will
be reduced to just nine months. After this ...
June 03, 2019 | Posted by :
J Morris |
Blog
Preparing
your home for viewings is a bit of an art form – whether you go full Marie Kondo or
only have time for the bare minimum, it’s surprising how the little things can
make a huge difference to the appeal of your property to prospective buyers.
Here
are a few quick tips to help you make that sale in record time:
First impressions count:
Think about the first thing prospective buyers will see as they pull up to your property. Wheelie bins? Recycling boxes? An overgrown front yard? Closed curtains and dirty windows? For a ...
March 18, 2019 | Posted by :
J Morris |
Blog
One of the main issues couples face when deciding to separate is what to do about the family home. Which of you moves out? Who gets to stay? Can you afford to find separate homes? How do you divide up property assets? And what if you rent?
When it comes divorce, the rules over property can vary fairly widely depending on your unique circumstances, but here’s some basic guidance on ownership and living arrangements to help you figure out what to expect, what your rights are, and how to proceed.
Living Arrangements
Both partners have a legal right to remain in the family home, and neither of you can force the other to move ...
April 18, 2018 | Posted by :
J Morris |
Blog
Research conducted by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and the HomeOwners Alliance (HOA) suggests that homeowners have the potential to boost the value of their property by almost £50,000 by making a few choice structural and aesthetic improvements before they sell. By making comparatively small investments to improve various areas of your home – notably the garden, bathroom, kitchen, and living areas – you could add between £9,000 and £48,000 to the asking price!
So, if you’re thinking of selling up this year, it might be worth seeing if any of the following improvements are feasible for your budget and layout, and maximise the value of your home…
Add up ...
April 01, 2018 | Posted by :
J Morris |
Blog
If you’re a first time buyer you’re immediately at an advantage when it comes to negotiating the housing market. Not only are you free from relying on a chain but you’re also able to dodge stamp duty charges to a certain extent. As of November 2017, a permanent change was applied to stamp duty for first time buyers, raising the threshold to £300,000 (and up to £500,000 in more expensive areas such as London), saving you an extra 2-12% in fees!
First time buyers are required to declare that they have never owned property in the UK or elsewhere to qualify for the relief, and if property is being ...
April 23, 2015 | Posted by :
J Morris |
Blog
When you start to budget for a house move, it’s important to factor in all the associated costs and fees involved – there’s a lot more to buying a house than getting a mortgage. If you want to keep the costs as low as possible (and why wouldn’t you?) then your first port of call should be your solicitor who will help you to get all your ducks lined up and avoid pricey delays or complications. Next, you’ll need to put together a comprehensive breakdown of how much moving house will cost you. Here’s a brief guide to the types ...