Blog
Stories from the deals
What things cost, what they are worth, and how to tell. Written from the figures, not the brochures.
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What a full house refurbishment costs in 2026, room by room Realistic planning allowances for a three bedroom house in the North West, from rewires and roofs to kitchens, plus the costs that catch people out. -
How to find out who owns a property in England and Wales Ownership is public information. Here is what it costs, what you get, what to do when a company owns it, and how to approach an owner who is not selling. -
What an EPC tells you about a house before you view it The energy certificate is a free survey of a property's condition, if you read past the letter. Here is what to look for and what it says about the seller. -
Stamp duty on a second property in 2026: what you actually pay The 5% surcharge, the current bands, and five worked examples showing what stamp duty costs on a buy to let or a project house in England and Northern Ireland. -
How much should you actually pay for a house you plan to do up? Asking price tells you what the seller wants. Here is how to work backwards from end value to the most you can pay and still make the deal work.