Relocating to Ipswich Suffolk

If you are relocating to Ipswich Suffolk whether for work or personal reasons, it is an exciting time for you. Here at Jonathan Waters relocation, we can help you find your new home in Ipswich and the surrounding villages. We can advise you on local transport and local schools, we can also advise you on local healthcare facilities and amenities.

As the leading Estate Agent in Ipswich, we have a huge choice of properties for sale, from large detached houses to semi detached and terraced homes, through to flats and apartments in town and bungalows and retirement homes.

So, whether you are a first time buyer, looking to get on the property ladder for the first time, or you already own a property and are wishing to upsize, downsize or simply change location, we can help.

Search for Ipswich properties

One of the easiest ways to search for property for sale in Ipswich, particularly if you are not local, is to browse property listings on our web site. We work hard to ensure our web site is easy to use and regularly add new features. Our web site includes the following functionality:

• You can search for property of a particular type, within a specified price range.
• You can view the property particulars and all photographs on line.
• You can view 3D floor plans online.
• You can view its location on a map of the area.
• You can take a virtual tour of the property.
• You can arrange a viewing online.
• You can join our mailing list online.
• You can opt in to receive property updates on Facebook and Twitter
• When viewing our site on a mobile phone, you will be automatically redirected to our mobile site for ease of viewing on a smaller screen.

All of this technology aside though, sometimes it’s better to pop into the office and see someone face to face. We have two Ipswich offices, a town centre office in the Buttermarket and a satellite office at the Foxhall Road roundabout on the ring road, both are manned by very experienced, knowledgeable and friendly staff who are only too pleased, to take the time to get to know you and discuss your requirements in depth. Why not call them on 01473 721133 for a chat? Our offices are open from 09.00-18.30 Mon–Fri, 09.00-16.30 on Saturdays and 10.00-14.00 on Sundays. Special arrangements can be made if viewings need to be accompanied outside these hours.

And don't worry if we can't find what you are looking for immediately! We are taking on new properties every day and we will let you know as soon as something comes in that matches your requirements.

About Ipswich

Ipswich is a thriving university town with a truly cosmopolitan demographic. Its busy town centre boasts a wealth of high street names as well as specialist and independently owned outlets. A bustling community, the average age of which has recently been significantly lowered, by an influx of students from all over the country, Ipswich is now the target for many trendy bar and restaurant chains. Yes, café culture has come to town and nowhere is that more obvious than down at the docks. The docklands and Ipswich marina are peppered with pavement cafés and bistros and what better places to sit and watch the boats go by whilst enjoying a light bite or enjoying a glass of wine?

Christchurch Park is perhaps Ipswich’s biggest and best known green space and at just 5 minutes’ walk from the centre of town you can be there, relaxing in the cool shade of some of its ancient and splendid trees in a matter of moments. It is THE venue in town for many concerts and events, annually hosting a firework spectacular which last year saw £30,000 go up in smoke in time to some great rock music.

Many live bands have appeared here including Jools Holland, Rick Astley, ABC, Nik Kershaw, Go West, T’pau and Tony Hadley and this year, it will see the likes of Katherine Jenkins, Billy Ocean, Soul II Soul, Jocelyn Brown, The Gibson Brothers and Peter Andre. We’re not saying you should relocate to Ipswich for the music and the pyrotechnics but it is an added bonus.

Ipswich offers a vibrant mix of heritage, the arts, theatre, cinema, clubs and bars, yet wherever you go in and around the town, you are only minutes away from some of the prettiest Suffolk villages and countryside, as well as the stunning scenery provided by the celebrated Suffolk coastline.

About Suffolk

The Suffolk countryside has inspired artists, sculptors, painters, writers, poets and songwriters for centuries. Within 5 minutes of Ipswich town centre you can be seemingly miles from anywhere, among open fields of wheat and oilseed rape. On your travels you are bound to happen upon one of the very many chocolate box villages and hamlets that this part of the country is famous for. Look out for such places as Belstead, Bentley, Bucklesham, Capel St Mary, Claydon, Holbrook, Kesgrave, Martlesham, Rushmere, Stutton and Westerfield. All of these little gems are within striking distance of Ipswich town centre and yet some are as rural as you could hope to find.

Part of the great appeal of Suffolk is its rural outlook. Breathtaking countryside combines with wonderful coastline and sea views to present a county that quite literally, has it all. Suffolk is the larder of England, its fertile land bringing forth foodstuffs and beverages of every kind. Free range and organic is the order of the day here and the many farmers markets held regularly throughout the county are testament to that.

Suffolk is country life at its best and yet the railway stations at Ipswich and Westerfield can have you at Liverpool St Station in less than an hour, still another reason why so many people are choosing to relocate to Suffolk.



Estate Agents Ipswich – Contact Jonathan Waters now to sell your Ipswich Property.

Has Ipswich escaped the doom and gloom?

It seems that Ipswich has escaped the doom and gloom still affecting the property markets in many parts of the country, as here at Jonathan Waters Estate Agents, we have had a fantastic start to the year!

In January 2011, we carried out the highest number of pre-sale valuations for any month in the last two and a half years and sales-wise, January exceeded everybody’s expectations by becoming the busiest ever January since our records began back in 1992! March has seen this busy trend continue but the pattern is definitely that only the realistically priced properties are selling – it is still very much a buyers market.

The property market in Ipswich seems more buoyant than in many other parts of Suffolk and for that matter, the country as a whole. A recent example of this, and proof positive of an active property market is the story of a three bedroomed semi-detached property on the Australia estate in Ipswich. We brought this property to market with one of our ever popular “open house” events. In the space of two hours, it was viewed by 31 interested parties and so many offers came through as a result, that in the end it was decided to turn the property over to sealed bid applications. There was nothing outstanding about this property and it was not under priced. It was simply accurately valued and well marketed. The end result was a sale well in excess of the guide price. This underlines the importance of an accurate valuation combined with proper presentation and marketing of a property.

How to sell your house quickly

Choose the right estate agent who accurately values your property

Choosing the right estate agent can make the difference between your property selling quickly or it hanging around on the market for some time. The trick is in choosing the right price at which to go on to the market and the right agents to do the marketing for you.

Do not be swayed by estate agents who give you unrealistically high valuations for your property. However nice it might feel to think that your home is worth thousands of pounds more than its actual market value, if you price your property unrealistically at the start, you will put off potential buyers. Starting high and then having to reduce the price simply wastes time and when a house has been on the market for some time, it can give buyers the impression that there is something wrong with it. So get it right from the start!

Here at Jonathan Waters we have over 150 years combined estate agency experience and have been established in Ipswich since 1992. This enables us to accurately price properties, so that they sell quickly whilst still achieving the best possible sale price for their owners. Our team of valuers and sale progressors will advise you every step of the way to ensure the offer you accept is the right one.

Choose an estate agent with a strong online presence and active marketing strategy

In order to sell your home quickly, it needs to be visible to as many potential buyers as possible. People search for property in different ways – many search online, via property portals such as Rightmove and search engines such as Google; others browse estate agent windows in the town centre and some browse property listings in local newspapers. Others drive around the area they are interested in to look for for-sale boards.

Here at Jonathan Waters Estate Agents we offer a comprehensive marketing programme which helps to sell houses fast!

• We have a strong web presence listing all of our properties for sale
• We upload all properties to major portals such as Rightmove. On Rightmove all of our properties are premier listed.
• We offer a mobile site, which makes browsing on all smart phones a joy (great for drive bys)
• Properties are advertised in the window of our two busy office locations – Ipswich town centre and Foxhall road
• We provide open houses when requested
• We always have at least 200 potential purchasers on our mailing lists
• We have a subscription to the Evening Star Stop Press facility. We can have your property in the newspaper within 48 hours of instruction.

Present your property well

One of the most influential things any property vendor can do to encourage a sale is to present their property in its best possible light. The best way to do this, is to look at your home as if you were seeing it through the eyes of someone else, someone who has never seen it before and someone who may be looking to buy it. This involves taking an objective view of your home, from every angle. What does it look like from the road? Does it have “kerb appeal” from the left and right? Once inside, does your home feel cluttered or look like it is in need of work? What can you do to improve the look and the saleability of your home? Make any changes or improvements you can, tidy the front and rear gardens, make any obvious minor repairs and de-clutter your home as far as possible. All these things will help to secure a quick sale.

Your estate agent will then assist in the presentation of your property by producing high quality property particulars with colour photos. Ensure you are happy with the final pictures taken, as these are what will help to attract your buyer. A good estate agent will take adequate photos to show off your home's features and emphasise its unique selling points.

Sell your property this spring!

This time of year brings with it much lighter, longer evenings which are ideal for house hunters who are out there, driving around your neighbourhood, searching for properties with ‘For Sale’ signs. The late afternoon/early evening sun shows properties off in their best light, so put your property on the market, make it stand out from the crowd and get it sold quickly with Jonathan Waters estate agents.


Estate Agents Ipswich – Contact Jonathan Waters now to sell your Ipswich Property.

A Guide To Selling Your House In A Buyers Market

Obtain an accurate and realistic valuation

In a buyer’s market you should look to obtain an accurate and realistic valuation of your property. Do not be swayed by agents telling you that they can get more for you than it is actually worth. Do your own research, look at similar properties to yours in your area and if they are not selling, price yours lower so it will. Don’t sell yourselves short but take active steps to ensure that if there’s a sale in your area, it is your house that sells.
Jonathan Waters Estate Agents have over 165 years of combined local estate agency experience. With our extensive knowledge of the local market we will ensure that your property is valued and marketed so as to achieve a prompt sale at the correct market value.

Choose your estate agent wisely

When choosing an estate agent, there are lots of things to think about. Many people go on simple gut instinct or recommendation from a friend or colleague, but there are some important and very relevant questions you need to have answered before you can make an informed decision;

What are the estate agent’s opening times?
How long has the agent been actively selling houses in your area?
Does the estate agent have a presence in the high street?
Do they have a good presence on-line?
What other forms of marketing does the agent use?
Do they “qualify” their applicants in terms of their position and mortgage arrangements?
Do they accompany viewings?
Will they organise your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for you?
Will they progress the sale for you and keep you advised of developments along the way?

• Jonathan Waters Estate Agents are open Mon- Fri 09.00 to 18.30, Sat 09.00 to 16.30 and Sun 10.00 to 14.00 and of course 24 hours a day, online.
  We have been actively selling houses since 1992.
  
• We have not 1 but 2 high street offices and one of the most up-to-date and user-friendly websites of any estate agent in the country.
  We will “qualify” our applicants if required, meaning we know their position prior to viewings. Also all offers are checked thoroughly on the sellers behalf prior to being accepted. We will accompany viewings where appropriate or asked to do so, we arrange your EPC and we take great care to progress your sale/purchase, liaising with solicitors and mortgage providers to resolve any issues.

Instruct a solicitor

Having chosen your agent and in readiness for your sale, it’s now time to instruct your solicitor so that he/she is ready to deal with the legalities of sale on your behalf. If possible go with a solicitor who is recommended through a friend or family member, or one that your estate agency refers to you.

Jonathan Waters Estate Agents are happy to recommend a local solicitor to you. Having been in business in the area for nearly 20 years, we have built up good working relationships with many of the areas local solicitors and are happy to make an introduction for you.

Presenting your property for market

In a buyer’s market, this is probably the single most important thing you as a vendor can do, to influence the prompt sale of your home. First impressions count and never more so than when it comes to selling houses. Oftentimes, people will have made their mind up about a house within the first few moments of stepping inside and sometimes, they don’t even get that far.
The presentation of your property is critical to achieving a successful sale at the right price. Your home needs first to look appealing from the roadside - it needs “curb appeal to get people to want to cross the threshold”.

To increase your home’s kerb appeal, simply go outside and take a really good look at the front of your house. Is there anything that immediately jumps out at you and says “I need some attention”?

Maybe the front of your home could do with a lick of paint, maybe the window frames need repainting or the front garden needs tidying, whatever it is, unless it’s a huge job, (which should be reflected in the asking price) take care of it.

At Jonathan Waters we will be happy to give you constructive advice on some of the key areas in which we feel your property could be improved to promote a prompt sale, at the best possible price.

Marketing your property

Marketing your property is all about maximising exposure, ensure your chosen agent has a high street presence and ask about their opening hours. Long opening hours are essential to maximise the viewing opportunities for your property. Establish the level of their on-line presence; do they have their own website that is easily found by the search engines? Type in their name and see what happens.

Are they registered with the major property websites like Rightmove? Insist that they erect a “For Sale” board outside your property; after all, what is the use of your property being on the market, if someone can drive passed your house and not know it? Ask them what other pro-active steps they take towards marketing your property, to the widest possible audience.
Jonathan Waters have a comprehensive marketing programme to help sell your home fast. It includes:

• Displaying your property at our two busy offices – one in Ipswich town centre and one in East Ipswich
  Internet marketing – on our own successful website www.jonathanwaters.co.uk. Also within 48 hours your property will appear on www.rightmove.co.uk, www.propertyfinder.com, www.primelocation.com, www.findanewhome.com, www.findaproperty.com, virginmedia, msn, sky, aol, Yahoo, tiscali, channel4.com, orange, times online, thelondonpaper.com, uknetguide, zoopla, think property, hotproperty, upmystreet, ukpropertyshop, kelkoo, myvillage.com and www.home.co.uk and more! Upgraded Rightmove listings are available to attract serious buyers.
• Subscription to the Evening Star Stop Press facility. We can have your property in the newspaper within 48 hours of instruction.
• Phone calls to registered purchasers. We always have at least 200 potential purchasers registered on our extensive mailing lists.

Viewings

Find out what your chosen estate agents accompanied viewing policy is. If you are a woman on your own, insist that all viewings are accompanied, especially when showing round single men. Accompanied viewings give agents the chance to ask searching questions and find out exactly what people think. They also mean we can use our expertise to help sell your property. Remember, estate agents know what to say and when to say it, but they also know when to shut up and let your house do the talking. Be open to having people look around your home during the evenings and at weekends. A large percentage of viewings are requested at these times.

At Jonathan Waters Estate Agents, we will accompany viewings whenever we are asked to do so.

Offers

Your estate agent should notify you both verbally and in writing, as soon as an offer has been received and if the offer is conditional on a mortgage, or anything else, this should be highlighted from the outset. If mortgage money is to be used, your agent should establish where the finance is coming from and whether it has at least, been agreed in principal.
Once you accept an offer your agent should prepare what’s known as a “memorandum of sale” and write to all parties concerned with details of the proposed transaction. This memorandum of sale will confirm the price agreed and details of any inclusions in the sale. It will confirm the positions of both parties and give an approximate indication of the desired timescales.

Your solicitor then sends out a draft contract to the buyer's solicitor who will carry out preliminary enquiries. At this stage you will be asked to agree on a survey date, the date for exchange of contracts and your completion or moving out date.

Your estate agents work is not done yet, far from it. It is at this stage, when dealing with property sales chains, deposit monies, mortgage offers and the like, that your estate agents really have to start earning their money. A good percentage of sales fall through prior to exchange of contracts, for one reason or another and since an estate agent does not get paid until a house sale reaches completion, it is in their best interests, (and yours) that they work hard to keep things on track. Your estate agent should advise, negotiate and keep you appraised of developments every step of the way.

At Jonathan Waters we pride ourselves on our successful sales record. The vast majority of sales that we put together go through to successful completion. Our success rate is considerably better than the industry average. This is because we have a dedicated team of sales co-ordinators, whose sole job it is to ensure that any issues arising are sorted out as quickly as possible.

Exchange of contracts

Exchange of contracts can occur when the following queries and requirements have been met, satisfied, confirmed and agreed;

The buyer’s solicitors will often have queries resulting from their receipt of your solicitors draft contract. This is a good thing as it proves the buyer’s solicitors are doing their job properly. Your solicitor will need to provide satisfactory answers to these “preliminary enquiries” and evidence that you are in possession of “good title”. That is to say that you have the right to sell the property.

If the property is leasehold, there may be some issues thrown up that the buyers solicitor will need further clarification on. Some queries may result from local searches that the buyer’s solicitors conduct. A full list of the fixtures and fittings including any chattels to remain in the house must be drawn up and agreed and the buyer’s solicitor must be in receipt of the buyer’s mortgage offer and deposit monies.

Once these things are all agreed and in place and the contract has been signed by both parties, the deposit is paid, by the buyer's solicitor to your solicitor. Contracts are then exchanged and a completion date is set by mutual agreement.

It is at this point that the sale becomes legal and irreversible without serious financial penalty.
At Jonathan Waters Estate Agency we have a detailed understanding of the conveyancing procedure which enables us to deal effectively and competently with the majority of issues arising.

Completion

Completion occurs on the previously, mutually agreed date and is the day when the remainder of the money, is transferred from your buyer's solicitor’s account to your solicitor's holding account. Your solicitor will then call you to inform you of the transfer of money and inform your estate agent to release the keys to the new owner.

Jonathan Waters Estate Agents will not release the keys of your home without first receiving confirmation from the vendor's solicitors, that completion has taken place.

Estate Agents Ipswich – Contact Jonathan Waters now to sell your Ipswich Property.

Top Tips When Viewing Properties To Buy

Create a checklist

It is a great idea to create a checklist of all the things your new property must have, in order to make it work for you. This will save you a lot of time and shorten your list of possibilities tremendously. If for example, your new property must have a garage or off street parking, you can automatically rule out, all those that haven’t got it. If your new property must be within a certain distance of the town centre or train station, again, you can rule out all of those that don’t qualify. When you’ve narrowed down your list of possibilities, you can then look at your list of things you would like your new property to have and check them off as you go round. This sounds like quite a clinical way of going about finding your next home but is stops the heart from getting in the way of decisions your head has already made.

Do a walk-by

Walk past the house even before arranging to view it internally. You can get a good feel for the area and this will give you the opportunity to check the exterior condition and décor. Walk-by’s are a great idea because they bring everything into sharp focus, things that you may have missed when passing by in a car. A walk-by will help you to decide whether to take your enquiry any further.

Check the exterior condition

You can of course do this on your walk-by but if you’ve made the appointment to view, you’ll get a chance to see it close up. Make sure you check the outside of the property as thoroughly as possible before you walk in and as you leave. Check for loose or missing tiles on the roof, cracked or missing rendering to walls and check the brickwork for signs of damage or erosion. Check around the windows and doors for cracks and review the condition of the window frames and exterior paintwork.

Take someone with you

It’s always a good idea to view a property together with a partner or a friend. Apart from the obvious security risks involved when going alone, it is nice to have someone else there to give you an objective, impartial view, to bounce ideas off and to ask the questions that you may either forget, or are too embarrassed to ask yourself. If your partner or friends are busy, ask the agent to go with you.

Check the cupboards

The cupboards in the kitchen and bathroom and the fitted wardrobes will more often than not be included in the sale, so check that they are in good condition and that the sliders work properly. Vendors should not mind nor should they see you as being nosey or intrusive. You are simply taking a healthy interest in what may well turn out to be your next home.

Check the loft

Take a torch along with you to check the loft. The vendor may not have one that works and there may not be a light or power source up there. A torch will also come in handy when looking at the garden especially in the winter when it gets dark quite early.

Check the water works

Check to see how long it takes for the hot water to warm up and to see if the central heating radiators are working properly. Check for noises in the system that might indicate the need for a system overhaul or replacement.

Ask for receipts and guarantees

If any work has been carried out on the property within the current owners tenure, ask to see any receipts and guarantees they may have. Ask if they have any paperwork from the previous owners.

Check the bills

Ask to see the last few fuel bills and the council tax bill, the owners shouldn’t mind as they should read it as a sign that you are genuinely interested in proceeding with the purchase of their property.

Check the fixtures and fittings

Find out what fixtures and fittings are included in the sale, e.g. carpets, cooker, curtain poles. This is also a chance to find out whether the vendors are prepared to include anything else or perhaps make other items available to you, by separate negotiation.

Check for damp

On your way around the property always be on the lookout for signs of damp. It is fairly easy to spot and usually manifests as a darkening or yellowing of the paintwork in patches or a musty smell from the fabrics.

Befriend the owner

Get the owner of the property on your side. If they like you, they will feel more disposed towards selling their home to you. They will be conscious that they don’t want their beloved home of “x” years to go to someone they don’t like and they won’t want their neighbours to think badly of them after they’ve gone.

Also, if you make friends with them during your initial visit, they are more likely to remember you and will be happier to have you round for a second time. They will be happy for you to bring mum and dad or even a builder if you wish, as these are all positive signs of your real intent to buy.

Homes for Sale in Ipswich – Jonathan Waters Estate Agents can assist you in finding your next home. Contact us today and we will put you on our mailing list.

Present Your Property Well To Sell It Quickly And At The Best Possible Price

In the current market, presentation of your property is key. We can put your property in front of as many applicants as possible and we can encourage them to view, but the presentation of your property, how it looks when people come to view it, is all important to achieving the best possible sale price.

Key to successfully selling your home is to highlight and enhance your property’s best features, its unique selling points. Every property’s got some and more likely than not, they are the ones that sold it to you in the first place. These may be a large kitchen diner that is great for sociable dinner parties, an un-overlooked garden with attractive trees and plants or original features throughout the property that add character and charm. Whatever they are, make sure you show them off as much as possible in the way you present your home.
For example, if it’s got two or three good sized bedrooms, make sure they’re tidy so people can see how big they are. If it’s got parking for several cars, ensure the space is clear so people can see how much room is available. If it’s got a large garden, make sure its tidy, well maintained and free of weeds. During viewings, keep your kitchen and bathroom(s) are as clean and tidy as possible, especially if they’re a little on the small side. Kitchens and bathrooms sell houses so make yours look as good as possible.

In a slow market, it’s all about improving marketability, making the very best of what your home has to offer and ensuring that every good point is highlighted to your potential buyers. If an area of your home has started to look a little tired and could do with a lick of paint to spruce it up then the time and money spent making these small home improvements will be well worth the effort. If a gutter is leaking or a tap dripping, have it repaired. Little jobs like these can put off a buyer when in reality they don't take much to fix.

Pay particular attention to the outside of your home and the view from the road. Often buyers will drive past a property to check it out before arranging a viewing. Make sure your property looks inviting and creates a positive first impression. If paint is peeling from window frames, have them re-painted, make sure your front door is clean and / or newly painted, keep windows sparkling clean and the front garden neat and tidy.

The result of taking the time to present your property well is that it will sell more quickly and for a better price. Well marketed and well presented properties will always attract interest from buyers and following these simple steps, will ensure your property stands out from the competition

Sell your Ipswich Property – contact Jonathan Waters Estate Agents today for your free valuation.

Buying Property Frequently Asked Questions

How can I find my dream home?

There are lots of ways you can search for property for sale.

Rightmove and other property portals are a great source of information and can give you a real insight into what types of property are available, their location and price. Most estate agents list their properties on the main property portals so this will give you a good overview of what is for sale at any given time.

You should also contact your local agents and register your interest with them. Put yourself on their mailing list, make firm connections and get to know them. This helps to get them on side.

Drive round your chosen area to get a real feel for the place, highlight the areas that are of interest to you and make sure your agent knows where they are. If something comes up for sale in that area, you’ll want to know about it so get the agent working for you.

How much time should I spend looking for houses?

You should spend as much time looking around houses as you can. The more houses you look at, the greater an idea you will form of what your dream home should have to offer.

Try to get round to see new listings as quickly as possible. This will accomplish two things; firstly, you may come across your ideal home and because you’re one of the first to see it, you’ll stand more of a chance of getting it and secondly, it will show the estate agent that you are a serious buyer, so when a new property comes to the market that seems to fit your requirements, they will be more likely to contact you.

Once you do find a property you are interested in, arrange a second viewing at a different time and perhaps take someone else with you such as a family member or friend.

Apart from the house purchase price, what other costs will I have to pay when buying a house?

There are a number of additional costs that need to be factored in when buying your new home. Below is a list with approximate figures.

Solicitor’s conveyancing fee

You should allow anything between £50 0 - £1000 + VAT but shop around for the best deals. Here at Jonathan Waters Estate Agents we can recommend good local solicitors if you don't already have one organised.

Stamp duty

Stamp duty is a banded payment. It is payable at different amounts, depending upon the sale value of the home. The bands are listed below:

0% on homes sold at up to £125.000
1% on homes sold at between £125.001 and £250.000
3% on homes sold between £250.001 and £500.000
4% on homes sold at £500.001 and above
Since the 25th of March 2010 first time buyers have been able to secure a two-year temporary stamp duty relief on property up to the value of £250,000. Also longer term, a new 5% threshold for properties above £1m will be introduced. This comes into effect on 6 April 2011.

Mortgage survey fee

This can cost anywhere between £250 and £1,000 depending on the type of survey you have done.

Mortgage lender's arrangement fee

This is only applicable on certain mortgages and your mortgage advisor will be able to tell you in good time, what the situation is with yours.

Buildings and contents insurance

Once you have moved in, building insurance is compulsory for anyone who has a mortgage. This insurance protects the lenders money in the event of the building being damaged

If the sale does not go through, what costs do I have to pay?

Many solicitors and estate agents offer their services on a No Sale No Fee basis. If your purchase falls through prior to exchange of contracts and survey then you will not have to pay anything. If it falls through after survey then you will lose the money paid for the survey. If the sale falls through after exchange of contracts has taken place, this can be very costly as your buyers and sellers will sue for the inconvenience caused. A Home Buyers Expenses Insurance scheme is available to help safeguard against some of your costs if your purchase fails to proceed to legal completion.

How much can I borrow?

Before you start to look for your new home, it is essential that you find out what size mortgage you can get. After all, there's no point searching for the house of your dreams if it's out of your price range. The best thing to do would be to speak to an Independent Financial Advisor or (IFA). IFA’s are not tied to a lender and they provide objective advice of the various mortgage products available. They will find the best deal for you that matches your own personal circumstances. Get a lending agreement in principle and a certificate that confirms the amount. A lot of estate agents will request sight of this and you can use it as a bargaining tool because it will add weight to your offer.

Your borrowing ability is based on the size of your deposit and your salary. Lenders will usually lend up to 3 times your annual salary. If you are buying as a couple, the lending criteria changes and becomes 3 times the 1st income plus the second or, two and a half times the joint income. Do your own research as well, look through newspapers, magazines and the internet, it pays to be informed.

What are the most important questions to ask the seller when buying a property?

You need to know whether the property is freehold or leasehold and if it’s leasehold, how long the lease has to run on it and whether it can be lengthened.

Another key question concerns maintenance charges. Are there any maintenance charges that you would be contracted to pay?

Has the road been adopted by the local council? Is the local council responsible for its upkeep and the upkeep of the drainage system?

Are you allowed to erect business signage and/or hang out your washing? Believe it or not, there are restrictions in place in some parts of the country, forbidding you to do this.

Do any rights of way exist over the land of the house?

Can the current occupiers guarantee full vacant possession upon completion? This is very important, after all, you do not want to move in, only to find you have to share your new home with some existing tenants.

Is the property built on a floodplain? Has it ever flooded or been in danger of flooding?

Make sure these questions are answered to your complete satisfaction prior to moving forward with an offer.

How much should I offer?

As tempting as it might be to try to get a bargain, it would be saddening to lose the property you have set your heart on for the sake of trying to save a few pounds. If you consider the house or flat to be a reasonable price, then offer the full asking price. In doing this you are more likely to secure your dream home. The owners are less likely to want to hold out for more money and you stand less of a chance of someone else coming along to pip you to the post with a higher offer.

When should I sell my house?

If you are reliant on the funds from the sale of your current home to finance, at least in part, the purchase of your new home, then it is absolutely the right thing to do, to sell your home first. It will place you in a much better position if you already have a buyer for your home when you put in an offer on a new home.

We would recommend putting your home up for sale as soon as possible. When you find a buyer, make sure you state in the contract, that you will not move out before you have found a new home. Another advantage of adopting this strategy is that you will know exactly how much money you have available to you, to make your next house purchase.

Any time is a good time to sell and buy property, especially if the mortgage market is stable. It used to be said that the property market was a cyclical thing, prone to slowing in the holiday seasons and whilst it may be true that slightly fewer property sales go through at Christmas time or in high summer, we have over the past few years noticed these seasonal trends levelling out.

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First Time Buyers – Guide to Buying Your First Home

For first time buyers, now is a great time to take that first step on to the housing ladder. With zero stamp duty payable on first time property purchases under £250,000 and bargains to be had by sellers keen to move quickly, it is possible to save thousands of pounds on the cost of your move.

Here at Jonathan Waters we have put together a guide for first time buyers on the process of buying your first home. If you would like further information, or want to receive updates on our properties for sale in Ipswich, please contact us.

Your step-by-step guide to buying your first home

Step 1: Find a property you like that’s in the right area and within your price bracket. To help narrow down the search, contact Jonathan Waters Estate Agents in Ipswich and register on their mailing list. This will mean that you receive email updates on a regular basis detailing properties for sale in your price range. The helpful sales team will also contact you if something specific to what you are looking for comes on to the market.

Step 2: Search the mortgage market to find a product to suit your circumstances.

Step 3: Find a solicitor you feel comfortable with, this might be your family solicitor or one recommended by a friend. At Jonathan Waters we have very good working relationships with a number of locally based solicitors and are happy to recommend one to you.

Step 4: The mortgage company carries out its valuation or survey of your chosen property. It is your choice how in-depth that survey is but the mortgage company will advise you, taking into account the age and condition of the property.

Step 5: The solicitors acting for the seller (vendor) will contact your solicitors, sending them a draft contract and the title deeds of the property.

Step 6: Your solicitor will carry out local searches and put any resulting queries to the seller's solicitor.

Step 7: When your solicitor is satisfied that the contract is sound you will be invited in to sign contracts and agree a completion date.

Step 8: Contracts are then exchanged and deposit monies handed over.

NB. It is at this point that the sale becomes legally binding and neither party can withdraw without being subject to large penalties.

Step 9: Now is the time to arrange buildings and contents insurance.

Step 10: On completion and moving in day, your solicitor hands over the remaining money and arranges for the keys to your new home to be made available to you. Then you can get settled in and crack open the champagne!

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