₦airaland Forum

babajeje123:
We'll soon be neighbours

Wow Babajeje! We will be looking forward to welcoming you. 🙏

lightnlife:
Nice! Thanks for sharing.

You guys in the North are enjoying ooo.

Yes o. We earn less though. 😀

mex551:
@Ticha, please can you recommend a good solicitor for me ? Any other person who has used a good one should recommend too. The solicitor should be “responsive “ ohh. I hear that some of them don’t respond to mails and calls

I used Amity Law... Very responsive and thorough

mex551:
@Ticha, please can you recommend a good solicitor for me ? Any other person who has used a good one should recommend too. The solicitor should be “responsive “ ohh. I hear that some of them don’t respond to mails and calls

We currently use Gareth Travis from Versus Law in Didsbury.

My suggestion is to use one local to you. That way when they start dragging leg, you can go to their physical office. Be wary of online conveyancers.

ukay2:
I used Amity Law... Very responsive and thorough

thanks

Ticha:
We currently use Gareth Travis from Versus Law in Didsbury.

My suggestion is to use one local to you. That way when they start dragging leg, you can go to their physical office. Be wary of online conveyancers.

. Thanks

So, I got my AIP directly from Barclays Bank and has an house offer accepted by seller I booked appointment directly with a Barclays Bank advisor to assist me with the application it a friend is insisting that I should use a broker. My question is this , since I already know the bank I want to use , is there any advantage I will get in using a broker that the bank cannot give me? Please advise me on what to do. That their charges is much ohh

mex551:
So, I got my AIP directly from Barclays Bank and has an house offer accepted by seller I booked appointment directly with a Barclays Bank advisor to assist me with the application it a friend is insisting that I should use a broker. My question is this , since I already know the bank I want to use , is there any advantage I will get in using a broker that the bank cannot give me? Please advise me on what to do.

No. Using a broker is pointless in this situation. Their only value, especially for people who don't have ILR, is in getting deals in the first place because only a limited number of places offer those deals. Since you have an AIP, adding a broker at this stage would just add an additional layer of red tape.

Personally, our brokers have been helpful but the only reason we went with them is that we're not both up to 2 years in the country so wanted the advice of experts to pre-screen lenders who could accept that. Since you already have an AIP after a conversation with a mortgage advisor, it means they've confirmed you meet all the criteria and the only thing you'll need to do is supply the documents for their checks. All a broker will be doing is getting the request from the bank and passing to you, and then passing the docs you supply onto the bank.

Note - I'm far from being an expert in this so I may be missing something. Hopefully Madam Ticha et al will provide some more authoritative guidance.

Goodenoch:
No. Using a broker is pointless in this situation. Their only value, especially for people who don't have ILR, is in getting deals in the first place because only a limited number of places offer those deals.

Agreed. A broker is mainly useful if your situation is not straightforward therefore you need a broker to suss out what will for you.
If you've decided to use Barclays and have an AIP from them, then you don't need a broker.

Goodenoch:
No. Using a broker is pointless in this situation. Their only value, especially for people who don't have ILR, is in getting deals in the first place because only a limited number of places offer those deals. Since you have an AIP, adding a broker at this stage would just add an additional layer of red tape.

Personally, our brokers have been helpful but the only reason we went with them is that we're not both up to 2 years in the country so wanted the advice of experts to pre-screen lenders who could accept that. Since you already have an AIP after a conversation with a mortgage advisor, it means they've confirmed you meet all the criteria and the only thing you'll need to do is supply the documents for their checks. All a broker will be doing is getting the request from the bank and passing to you, and then passing the docs you supply onto the bank.

Note - I'm far from being an expert in this so I may be missing something. Hopefully Madam Ticha et al will provide some more authoritative guidance.

. Thanks

Ticha:
Agreed. A broker is mainly useful if your situation is not straightforward therefore you need a broker to suss out what will for you.
If you've decided to use Barclays and have an AIP from them, then you don't need a broker.

. Thanks

Good day my people. My. Lender trying to sell me and my wife decreasing term ,life insurance with critical illness cover for 268.00 monthly. I rejected it. Please what alternatives can I get. Help a brother

mex551:
Good day my people. My. Lender trying to sell me and my wife decreasing term ,life insurance with critical illness cover for 268.00 monthly. I rejected it. Please what alternatives can I get. Help a brother

That's absurd! Go on comparethemarket and run quotes for yourself.

Edit: I don't know your ages and/or pre-existing medical conditions, if any, so maybe it's not absurd, but you should definitely still go to a comparison site and get various quotes before proceeding. Don't allow them pressure you with stuff like 'it's the best deal', 'it's already discounted' and all the other sales nonsense.

mex551:
Good day my people. My. Lender trying to sell me and my wife decreasing term ,life insurance with critical illness cover for 268.00 monthly. I rejected it. Please what alternatives can I get. Help a brother

They saw you coming......😁

mex551:
Good day my people. My. Lender trying to sell me and my wife decreasing term ,life insurance with critical illness cover for 268.00 monthly. I rejected it. Please what alternatives can I get. Help a brother

It depends on your ages and medical conditions and families medical history.

We got level term insurance of £750,000 each for £20 monthly payments each with Royal London Insurance.

PS: we are in our mid thirties and no family medical conditions.

This should guide you.

We don't have critical illness cover as it was a bit higher payment (extra £90 each monthly payments) when it was added.

Really? Isn't the minimum wage applicable to the North.

Agreed, there are limited opportunities compared to the South but I'd imagine majority of workers earn the national minimum pay whilst others earn marginally higher rates, as with other regions.

My biggest concerns about the North is the extreme weather conditions and accent. Barring these, I'd gladly move over to enjoy the low rent and mortgage pecks.

teeebest:
Yes o. We earn less though. 😀

lightnlife:
Really? Isn't the minimum wage applicable to the North.

Agreed, there are limited opportunities compared to the South but I'd imagine majority of workers earn the national minimum pay whilst others earn marginally higher rates, as with other regions.

My biggest concerns about the North is the extreme weather conditions and accent. Barring these, I'd gladly move over to enjoy the low rent and mortgage pecks.

Extreme weather? Are you looking to relocate to the Outer Hebrides?

The weather across the UK is much of a muchness. Marginally colder up north yes but it's all rain, rain and then some more rain across the whole of the UK and Ireland.

I work up nor' and live in the Midlands. Sometimes it's warmer and sunnier in the Lake District than the Midlands!

Hello people, our house has been completed and we're waiting for the solicitor to complete their searches. To those who have moved in to their property, will you advise we do snagging survey? Read some articles that highlight its importance or we should just go with the 10 year warranty (forgotten what they call it now) on newly build?

House prices and the economy have remained resilient despite rate rises. Same also with stocks, gold, and many other assets.

Now that interest rates are on a downward trend, the recession scare hasn't materialised and we're witnessing a real rise in wages for the first time in decades, it would not surprise that nominal house prices resume and upward trend. For now, it's just a months data so worth keeping an eye on. For those looking to get on the ladder, no need to fear- keep pushing.

Let's not forget that house prices have seen a 'significant' fall in real terms over the last 2 years as inflation ripped through and the cost everything rose except house prices. I.e the crash everyone was expecting might have already happened but in real terms.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/sep/30/uk-house-prices-hit-highest-annual-growth-since-2022

.

babajeje123:
Hello people, our house has been completed and we're waiting for the solicitor to complete their searches. To those who have moved in to their property, will you advise we do snagging survey? Read some articles that highlight its importance or we should just go with the 10 year warranty (forgotten what they call it now) on newly build?

Oh yes! Definitely get one. They will see amd pick up things that you wouldn't consider important especially in a shiny new home.

Interesting angle.

Fairly so, the weather across the UK is somewhat akin, however, reports from friends and families outside of SE/SW England makes me feel they have more rain and heavier wind/storm than the South. This is further confirmed by weather forecast.

Outside of summer, the UK weather is gloomy and I'm yet to get into the dual, two years in. I dread it might be worse up north. Perhaps, my fears are unfounded.

Any thought on the accents up north? Any city with slightly refined accent closer to what you get in the South? 😂

Ticha:
Extreme weather? Are you looking to relocate to the Outer Hebrides?

The weather across the UK is much of a muchness. Marginally colder up north yes but it's all rain, rain and then some more rain across the whole of the UK and Ireland.

I work up nor' and live in the Midlands. Sometimes it's warmer and sunnier in the Lake District than the Midlands!

A very pleasant morning to all the elders in the House.

Please, how can my wife who will be 40 years in December 2025 benefit from the LISA account, particularly when we intend buying our first Home in August 2025. Though we have savings in ISA accounts but we would like to benefit from the £1000 gain on every £4000 savings in LISA.

1. Can we still open LISA account now till August next year and get the benefit?

2. Can we benefit more if we save a reasonable amount beyond £4000 minimum savings?

Thank you all....

Abuja1914:
A very pleasant morning to all the elders in the House.

Please, how can my wife who will be 40 years in December 2025 benefit from the LISA account, particularly when we intend buying our first Home in August 2025. Though we have savings in ISA accounts but we would like to benefit from the £1000 gain on every £4000 savings in LISA.

1. Can we still open LISA account now till August next year and get the benefit?

2. Can we benefit more if we save a reasonable amount beyond £4000 minimum savings?

Thank you all....

1. Yes, the account can be opened before she clocks 40. The earlier you open, the better because the account needs to have been opened at least 12months before buying the property.

In short, if you open the account today and start saving, the earliest you can use the savings to buy property is October 2025.

2. The maximum amout you can save in LISA is 4k per financial year, therefore the maximum government benefit you can get in a financial year is 1k i.e 25% of 4k.

The financial year runs from 6th April currrnt year to 5th April next year

Therefore, you can still get 2k benefit between today and May 2025 if you max out the savings.

4k saved in LISA between now and 5th April 2025 will earn you 1k benefit. You can earn additional 1k from 6th April 2025 if you're able to save 4k between 6th April 2025 and when you intend to buy the property in 2025.

Remember that you can only use the money to buy property 12 months from when the account is opened so the best time to open the account is NOW.

Abuja1914:
A very pleasant morning to all the elders in the House.

Please, how can my wife who will be 40 years in December 2025 benefit from the LISA account, particularly when we intend buying our first Home in August 2025. Though we have savings in ISA accounts but we would like to benefit from the £1000 gain on every £4000 savings in LISA.

1. Can we still open LISA account now till August next year and get the benefit?

2. Can we benefit more if we save a reasonable amount beyond £4000 minimum savings?

Thank you all....

Tax year in the UK, runs from April 6...... Hence any qualifying deposit receives the £1K HMRC bonanza.......😜😁

Unfortunately the maximum deposit is £4K, for each qualifying tax year, to receive the HMRC largesse......😁

If you're under 40, that's the only way both of you can benefit.......😂

Controlv:
1. Yes, the account can be opened before she clocks 40. The earlier you open, the better because the account needs to have been opened at least 12months before buying the property.

In short, if you open the account today and start saving, the earliest you can use the savings to buy property is October 2025.

2. The maximum amout you can save in LISA is 4k per financial year, therefore the maximum government benefit you can get in a financial year is 1k i.e 25% of 4k.

The financial year runs from 6th April currrnt year to 5th April next year

Therefore, you can still get 2k benefit between today and May 2025 if you max out the savings.

4k saved in LISA between now and 5th April 2025 will earn you 1k benefit. You can earn additional 1k from 6th April 2025 if you're able to save 4k between 6th April 2025 and when you intend to buy the property in 2025.

Remember that you can only use the money to buy property 12 months from when the account is opened so the best time to open the account is NOW.

Lexusgs430:
Tax year in the UK, runs from April 6...... Hence any qualifying deposit receives the £1K HMRC bonanza.......😜😁

Unfortunately the maximum deposit is £4K, for each qualifying tax year, to receive the HMRC largesse......😁

If you're under 40, that's the only way both of you can benefit.......😂

Thank you boss, I appreciate your detailed explanation.

Good morning once again my elders.

Please, how do one pay into moneybox without doing direct direct.

All suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.

You can use the instant payment option. It's only available for £100+ payments though.

Abuja1914:
Good morning once again my elders.

Please, how do one pay into moneybox without doing direct direct.

All suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.

lightnlife:
You can use the instant payment option. It's only available for £100+ payments though.

Thanks so much.

babajeje123:
Hello people, our house has been completed and we're waiting for the solicitor to complete their searches. To those who have moved in to their property, will you advise we do snagging survey? Read some articles that highlight its importance or we should just go with the 10 year warranty (forgotten what they call it now) on newly build?

Our solicitor don come back with the report of their search o, everything looks good but hmmm...the area is prone to flooding! See what they said o
You will note that the Environmental Search references a flood risk which we have queried with the Developer’s solicitors. They have responded as follows:


"The site is shown in an area that had surface water flooding according to the current EA Maps. We have worked with the EA and The Lead Local Flood Authority and as part of the approved planning have put in various measures to mitigate any issues. Once the site is constructed and the measures have bene implemented the EA will review their map and make the appropriate changes to remove the flood planes. The finished floor levels have also been set higher than any recorded water level and flood path analysis has been modelled and submitted as part of the planning. All works on the surface water strategy have been fully agreed and vetted by both the EA and The Lead Local Flood Authority and were approved as part of the planning."

One of the reports they sent says 'An elevated level of flood risk has been identified at the property.' The solicitor mentioned they are unable to advise whether we should proceed with the purchase or otherwise and referred us to our financial advisor. I decided not to call the developer because the lady attending to us doesn't work on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I'm a bit confused as I don't even what to do as we received our offer today from Barclays.

babajeje123:
Our solicitor don come back with the report of their search o, everything looks good but hmmm...the area is prone to flooding! See what they said o
You will note that the Environmental Search references a flood risk which we have queried with the Developer’s solicitors. They have responded as follows:


"The site is shown in an area that had surface water flooding according to the current EA Maps. We have worked with the EA and The Lead Local Flood Authority and as part of the approved planning have put in various measures to mitigate any issues. Once the site is constructed and the measures have bene implemented the EA will review their map and make the appropriate changes to remove the flood planes. The finished floor levels have also been set higher than any recorded water level and flood path analysis has been modelled and submitted as part of the planning. All works on the surface water strategy have been fully agreed and vetted by both the EA and The Lead Local Flood Authority and were approved as part of the planning."

One of the reports they sent says 'An elevated level of flood risk has been identified at the property.' The solicitor mentioned they are unable to advise whether we should proceed with the purchase or otherwise and referred us to our financial advisor. I decided not to call the developer because the lady attending to us doesn't work on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I'm a bit confused as I don't even what to do as we received our offer today from Barclays.

To start with, try getting a building insurance quotation......

Also do a Google search for last flooding incident in the area........

Lexusgs430:
To start with, try getting a building insurance quotation......

Also do a Google search for last flooding incident in the area........

Thanks as always. Last time the town was flooded with massive impact on buildings was 1967, they do have flash flood on their roads and parks each time it pours heavily.