Owning your own home

This.

Technically not allowed under current rules hence the investigation with the financial ombudsman

Yes, London.

They are essentially briefed to 'be nice' as a counterweight to the harsh realties of financial markets.

Maybe (but i'm not completely convinced)

I've never found that "being nice" was a feature of any of the govt agencies I've been involved with. Generally, the opposite.

I'm a long time customer of both Barclays and Nationwide, and been quite happy with the service I've received from both. I have considered ditching Barclays on ethical grounds, but they are better at some things than NW.

How long did that take? Girlfriends flat in St. Reatham is on the market, seems to be doing OK on viewings but nothing else yet,not even a cheeky low ball offer so she is getting nervous.

TBF it has been only on for about a week so meh

We listed a week and a half ago

EWS1 Update:
https://www.rics.org/uk/news-insight/latest-news/news-opinion/update-on-rics-pii-response/

What other generic costs of selling+buying am I missing?

Solicitor
Estate Agent
Removals
Survey(s)
Early Repayment

Thanks again

Cleaning
Additional searches
Insurance/s
Storage

Stamp duty, potentially.

Thanks. Giving a decent over estimation for "solicitors" to deal with additional searches and insurances. Storage we're going to hopefully avoid. Cleaning we'll do ourselves or get someone in for a couple of hours. It's not a big place so wouldn't take a pro that long. More looking for the 4 figure stuff that I've ignored.

Good point. If it gets to the new year, I'll look at Nested's "bridging loan" and see if that counteracts going beyond March 31st. Although by then I should have more savings to similarly counteract it.

I'll have to fudge my excel formulae to take into account >500k places so thanks for the reminder.

Windows need replacing. Are there any designs that facilitate cleaning from the inside?

Just to add, that solicitor's fees was excluding searches, etc. Can't remember how much they were. Sub-£500 I think

Deposit for exchange.

Not a cost as such but it won't necessarily all be covered by sale/mortgage until completion.

Elaborate, please. I was assuming everything would be transferred on the same day as part of the chain?

Say you're selling for £300k and buying for £500k. When you exchange you'll get a £30k deposit on your sale and you'll need a £50k deposit on the one you're buying.

As such, you'll need £20k in cash to make up the difference. Even if the full purchase will subsequently be covered by sale and mortgage that mortgage doesn't get released until completion.

Gotcha, thanks. Again, good to know. So it's not an additional expense, just some fluidity required until everything is squared away. I have that covered.

For anyone who has recently applied and been approved for a mortgage how long did it take from submission of your application to approval by the lender?

Next beg. Recommendations for Solicitor (sale and purchase) and Mortgage Advisor. South London preferred but not critical if they are worth the distance.

Yes. There are windows that tilt in giving you access to the outside panes for easier cleaning.

Also, at what point(s) in the process do you usually instruct/engage either a mortgage advisor and/or a solicitor.

1. Value and list
   
2. Accept Offer
   
3. View properties
   
4. Make Offer
   
5. Have Offer accepted
   
6. Exchange
   
7. Complete.
   
   

My guess is between 3 & 4?

We viewed houses immediately after listing (possibly before, in fact). You’ll need a solicitor after accepting an offer and I would probably see the mortgage advisor early doors too so you know what you’re dealing with.

My buyer just managed it in two weeks but I it will vary by lender / broker. They went through a broker.

Two weeks is fast as there needs to be a lenders survey (usually) and if the place is a flat the freeholder might need to answer questions.

We saw a broker after 5.