SURVEY REVEALS COSTS RESIDENTS IN BEDFORDSHIRE DIDN’T EXPECT TO PAY WHEN MOVING HOME

Buying a new home is one of life’s biggest purchases and a new survey from leading housebuilder Barratt and David Wilson Homes has revealed unexpected costs that Bedfordshire homebuyers didn’t anticipate paying in addition to the cost of their new home.

The survey, conducted by the five star developer*, disclosed that residents in the county deem estate agent fees as the most unexpected cost, with Stamp Duty also being a cost which was unknown prior to the purchase of the home.

Therefore, the housebuilder is preparing Bedfordshire residents for costs which will need to be paid during the homebuying process, by offering schemes and incentives to keep these costs to a minimum and help buyers on their way to their dream home.

27% of homebuyers in Bedfordshire placed estate agent fees as a cost which they didn’t expect to pay.

It’s important to remember that monitoring sales as they proceed, liaising with all interested parties including mortgage brokers and solicitors and helping buyers decide what kind of property they want to buy comes at a cost.

Barratt and David Wilson Homes’ developments in Bedfordshire have schemes, such as Movemaker, to aid buyers in bypassing estate agent fees to keep anxiety around costs low and the joy of being a homeowner high.

Jason Hearn, Sales Director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes South Midlands, said: “Acting as a one-stop shop for homebuyers, the Movemaker scheme works when individuals reserve their home. They receive a complimentary estate agency service with a free no obligation valuation on the existing home.

“We as a homebuilder complete the Movemaker once a selling price has been agreed by the customer, and then will pay the estate agents to sell the existing property.

It’s a fantastic way to keep costs down and take a back seat in letting us sell the home to ensure a smooth move.”

24% of homebuyers in Bedfordshire have revealed that they didn’t expect to pay Stamp Duty when buying a new home.

Identified as the tax charged by the Government when you buy a home, house hunters looking to purchase a property in the county could save money following the announcement of the Stamp Duty holiday extension.

Jason added: “Following the extension to the Stamp Duty holiday, many residents in the county were able to move to our developments as it was a great opportunity to strike when the iron was hot.

“Not everyone is aware that Stamp Duty is an additional cost so it’s worth buyers familiarising themselves with the term and what it means when they begin their house-buying journey so they’re prepared.

“We strive to help our house hunters make an easy move into a brand new property. That’s why selected homes at our developments come with Stamp Duty already paid, meaning buyers have one less thing to save up for.”

Barratt Homes is currently building properties in Bedfordshire at Willow Grove in Wixams.

David Wilson Homes is also currently building in Bedfordshire at Willow Grove, as well as at Stotfold Park in Stotfold and Marston Fields in Marston Moretaine.