Home Truths [Paperback]A guide to buying, selling and renting propertyby Wyn Derbyshire and Bryan Pickup
Shipping from 15/07/2010 - can be pre-ordered Description of Home TruthsThe purpose of this book is to offer, in one place, enough information for you to assess your needs in the world of property thoughtfully, how to ask the right questions (and who to ask).The authors start by considering renting, being a tenant, and then guide you through the process of getting your mortgage and buying, including financial and tax consequences. Looking ahead, they also explain the selling process. It also looks at property investment in three forms: - buy-to-let, - buying abroad and - commercial property. These areas are full of uncertainty and risk as well as opportunity and profit, but risk and uncertainty can be minimised (though not eliminated) by developing an understanding of how these specialised areas of property investment operate. The authors also consider property issues that can arise in the later years of life such as property downsizing, equity release and inheritance tax planning. Title Information
Write a review of this book Customer Reviews from AmazonContents of Home TruthsINTRODUCTION1. THE PROPERTY SYSTEM IN ENGLAND AND WALES The big picture The legal framework Some history The Crown Estate Freehold and leasehold Why leasehold rather than freehold? Typical lease terms Leasehold issues Other forms of ownership Land Registration Freehold title issues 2. BEING A TENANT The big picture The legal background Assured Shorthold Tenancies Finding a tenancy The terms Legal responsibilities How to reduce risk Signing on the dotted line The form of tenancy agreement The landlord's obligations Standard clauses Future contact Tenancy extensions What if there are problems? What to do at the end of the tenancy? 3. BUYING A PROPERTY Buy or rent? Research House price reports The Bank of Mum and Dad What do I want? Finding 'The One' Making an offer Buying from new Buying at auction Valuations and surveys The chain Choosing and using a legal adviser The legals Up to exchange of contracts After exchange of contracts Completion day After completion Post transaction review Joint tenants and tenants in common Special schemes for first time buyers 'Home Buy Right to buy 'Squatters' rights' 4. SELLING A PROPERTY The right approach Choosing your timing Stage 1 - Marketing Choosing an agent and setting a price Agency terms Selling at auction Presenting the property Viewings Choosing and instructing a solicitor Instructing your solicitor Stage 2 ‒ Deciding Offers and how to assess them Decision time! Exchanges of property Exclusivity or lock out agreement? Stage 3 - Getting to exchange Managing the process The legals The chain Stage 4 - Getting to completion Stage 5 - The Great Moving Day 5. MORTGAGES, TAXES AND PENSIONS Mortgages - origins and growth The basic mortgage Mortgages and interest rates Payback time Tax Stamp duty Income tax Capital gains Income from commercial property Property and pensions 6. LOOKING AHEAD Introduction Death, debt, defects, dementia, disputes, divorce Death Debt Defects Dementia Disputes Divorce 7. BUY-TO-LET The big picture Why 'buy-to-let'? Ups and downs 2010 onwards The golden rules Where? What property? Buy at the right price for renting Budgeting Finding a tenant Finding an agent What kind of letting? Tenancy agreements The terms of the letting Letting a property ‒ legal requirements Assured tenancies Holiday lettings Letting to students What is an HMO? Managing your 'buy-to-let' Managing the tenancy Managing the property 8. INVESTING IN COMMERCIAL PROPERTY The big picture Ups and downs Investment options Health warnings Market risk Property risk Rental risk Product risk Tax risk Characteristics of the UK commercial property market Leases Methods of commercial property investment Direct investment Shares Collective investments REITs - why do they matter? Thumbnail sketches 9. PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT The big picture Guidelines What does 'buy well' mean? Adding maximum value Controlling costs Selling well ‒ marketing, presentation and setting Regulatory controls on development Permitted development Class A ‒ extensions and improvements Class B ‒ roof extensions Class C ‒ roof alterations Class D ‒ porches Class E ‒ outbuildings, enclosures, swimming pools and oil and gas containers Class F ‒ hard surfaces Class G ‒ chimneys, flues and soil and vent pipes Class H ‒ microwave antenna Solar panels Making a planning application Penalties for breaching planning controls Requirement for Building Regulations consent What the building control service is for What the building control service is not The Building Regulations Amendments to the BR 2000 Applying for Building Regulation approval Local authority building control service Full plans application procedure Building notice procedure Approved inspectors Regularisation certificates Enforcement Enforcement notices Injunctions Prosecution (section 35 and 35A, Building Act 1984) Time limits The future of Building Regulations Green issues and property development The big picture Incentives for Energy Production 10. BUYING ABROAD Deciding what you want Finding what you want Buying it Budget Plan Process Buying from a developer v buying second hand The role of the notary The pain in Spain Raising the money Tax France - sale and leaseback Timeshare and fractional ownership Co-ownership and running costs Spain France Portugal Italy Switzerland (Southern) Cyprus Florida Dubai South Africa AFTERWORD APPENDIX 1: Property in Scotland and Northern Ireland Property in Scotland Buying and selling Renting Property in Northern Ireland APPENDIX 2: Useful websites Finding a tenancy Property search websites First time buyer websites Nationwide firms of agents National and London newspapers websites Auction sale sites 'Nosy neighbour' websites Affordable Housing UK Holiday letting Letting property abroad Overseas property search UK solicitors specialising in overseas purchases Guidance on green issues Index |
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