According to Rightmove, 116,386 properties were listed for sale in February.
This is up from 85,416 last February – an increase of almost 40%.
Here Mr Rolande, the director of House Buy Fast, shares his top ten tips for how buyers and sellers can save cash…
*Around a third of sales fall through potentially wasting hundreds on abortive legal costs and surveys. Take out fall through insurance from £60 which will help to cover this.
*Removals are more expensive on a Friday so aim to complete on a Monday when it’s cheaper.
*Take a meter reading and tell the utility companies on day one – and make sure you’re not on an emergency tariff.
*Use Sloth Move, a company who will help you quickly and efficiently change over your bills to save you time and money. It costs less than £70 to redirect all your bills.
*Redirect mail but leave some new address stickers at your old place for any letters that slip through. This will reduce your chances of not receiving a bill and missing a payment date. One client I know is still repairing their credit record thanks to a missed mobile phone bill charging just £15 a month.
*Shop around for home insurance before you exchange contracts and insure it on exchange, not completion – just in case. Otherwise you could end up having to pay for cover you don’t need.
*Check that the council tax is in the right band and appeal if not. Many homeowners challenge and receive a refund.
*The market is so busy and prices high, estate agents are slashing their fees. Get a few quotes, choose the best agent (don’t choose on price alone) and aim for around 0.75% to 1% – with VAT it’ll still be a hefty chunk but a lot less than the 2% plus VAT of yesteryear.
*Watch out for bolt-ons. Agents charge for extras like floor plans, EPC’s and professional photos. Get your own and you’ll save money.
*Finally watch out for the estate agent’s recommended solicitor, there’ll likely be a mark-up on the price.
