The start of 2024 has brought with it a sense of stability in the housing market, with house prices on the rise and an increase in people enquiring about conveyancing solicitors and removal companies. With this stability, we are seeing a huge increase in people looking for house surveys.

Compare My Move has seen an 88.7% increase in people looking for all survey types between December of 2023 and January of 2024. 

Although all survey types saw a significant increase, the Level 3 Building Survey saw the largest increase, almost doubling in enquiries at the start of 2024.

Many factors go into what survey you’ll need for your specific property, and it can be difficult to know what factors will influence the survey you need. Compare My Move’s Ultimate Survey Flowchart is designed to help you figure out what survey you need or whether you’ll need a survey at all. 

Different types of surveys

There are 4 different types of surveys that you may need when buying a property, a snagging survey, a level 1 condition report, a level 2 homebuyer report, and a level 3 building survey. Each report will cover different issues that will be surveyed in different ways and at different depths. 

Snagging Survey

If you’re buying a new build house, a professional snagging survey will provide you with a list of any “snags” to be passed on to the property developer before you move in.

These snags can range from small defects to major faults. Typical smaller issues include cracked tiles or loose door hinges, while larger issues could be structural problems like external brickwork.

Although you can create a new build snagging list yourself, hiring a surveyor is recommended as they’ll have more knowledge of what to look for. The surveyor will provide a thorough report with all issues listed.

Level 1 Condition Report

Previously known as Condition Report, the Level 1 Survey is the most basic and therefore cheapest RICS survey. All nearly new flats and homes will be best suited to the Level 1 Survey.

It’ll provide an overview of the property’s condition, but not in great detail. No surveyor’s opinion, advice or valuation is given, only obvious defects and the condition of the services like gas and water supply will be flagged.

Level 2 Homebuyer Report

Also referred to as a Home Buyers Survey or Home Buyer Report, the Level 2 Survey is suited for conventional properties built less than 50 years ago. It highlights any major issues with the property such as subsidence or damp and will look at defects both internally and externally.

The Level 2 Survey only looks at issues that are surface level and won’t check under floorboards or behind walls. Your surveyor will mark any major issues as a ‘3’ in the report and minor ones as ‘1’.

The report will also include an insurance reinstatement figure and a market value.

Level 3 Building Survey

Previously known as a Building Survey, a Level 3 Survey is best suited to older homes or non-standard construction houses. This could include thatched cottages, steel frame houses or PRC properties. It’ll look at the condition of the roof, the integrity and structure of the walls and the state of the floors.

Your report will detail each aspect inspected and will include any recommendations your surveyor has on repair work. If requested the report may also contain cost considerations for the elements included.

Is It Worth Getting a House Survey?

A property survey can save you £5,750 on average in repair work, research by RICS discovered. As a survey will highlight any repair work, this allows you to negotiate your original offer and the final cost of the property. This can ultimately save you thousands of pounds in repairs.

How Long Does a House Survey Take?

A Level 1 Survey will take between 2 and 4 hours as it is the most basic survey type. The Level 2 will also take 2-4 hours, but if the surveyor needs to gain access to certain areas, this can take longer. The Level 3 survey will take the longest with an average timescale of 4-8 hours, depending on condition and size.

What Survey Would I Need in Scotland?

In Scotland, it’s the seller’s responsibility to order the Home Report. It must be carried out before a sale is complete to ensure that buyers are aware of the property’s condition. The Home Report is made up of a single survey, an energy performance certificate and a property questionnaire. The single survey provided will produce reports like that of a Level 2, with similar issues and defects being recorded.

The latest market insight from quick sale specialists, Open Property Group, reveals that while there have been early signs of a house price resurgence so far in 2024, house prices on roads that have pancake-themed names have seen significant price drops over the past year, but one particular pancake road name has managed to buck the trend.

To mark the arrival of everyone’s favourite Tuesday of the year, Pancake Day, which this year falls on 20th February, Open Property Group has analysed sold price data for homes sold* on roads with pancake-related names to see which command the highest house price, and how they have changed over the past year. 

The research shows that the most valuable pancake-related road name is fittingly ‘Pancake’. Homes on roads whose names contain the word pancake achieved an average sold price of £721,111 in 2023 – by far the highest of all the pancake-related road names analysed by Open Property Group. 

While this is the most expensive Pancake Day road name, the value of homes on streets with ‘Pancake’ in the name have seen a significant drop over the past year, down from £972,500 in 2022. This marks an annual drop of -25.8%, or -£251,389. 

In fact, due to the past year’s slower housing market conditions in which factors such as the high cost of borrowing led to a drop in buyer demand, all but one pancake-related road name has seen sold prices plummet. 

This means that, despite ‘Pancake’s’ steep decline, it’s not the biggest pancake-themed price drop of the past year. That dubious honour goes instead to roads that contain the word ‘Milk’ which saw their average sold price fall by -37.6% between 2022 and 2023, culminating in an average of £295,000.

Road names containing ‘Lent’ have seen prices fall by -16.9%, while ‘Sugar’ (-14%) and ‘Lemon’ (-13.2%) have also seen significant drops. 

The only pancake-related road names to see prices increase on the year are those containing the word ‘Butter’, which have bucked the trend by increasing by 2.9% to reach an average of £265,000.

CEO of Open Property Group, Jason Harris-Cohen, commented:

“Pancakes might not be as staple a part of our diet as elsewhere around the world, but homes across the nation will be flipping them in honour of Pancake Day this Tuesday. 

Unfortunately our annual love for pancakes hasn’t been enough to sustain the high house prices associated with homes on roads containing the word itself. The market has been battered with uncertainty over the last year causing house prices to cool and this is no different when it comes to pancake-related properties.

The good news is that with property values having adjusted, pancake obsessed homebuyers could secure a flipping good deal. But you need to move swiftly because we’re already seeing signs of a market rebound and fully expect prices to keep rising into the Spring and Summer.”

Data table and sources

*Data sourced from The Land Registry Price Paid data set, PPD cat A, excluding properties listed by type as ‘other’. Data relates to homes sold across England and Wales in 2023 vs 2022.

Data tables and full sources can be viewed online, here.

New 52-unit assisted living community in Godalming, Surrey set to open later this year

Birchgrove, the UK’s leading provider of rented retirement homes, has celebrated its latest construction milestone with the topping out of Pepperpot House, a new 52-unit development in Godalming, Surrey.

The ceremony was attended by over 30 guests, including a number of residents who have reserved apartments, providing them with the opportunity to meet each other alongside their friends and families for the first time. Honor Barratt, CEO of Birchgrove, was also in attendance alongside John Whelan, CEO of housebuilder Natta.

Having welcomed the guests, Barratt and Whelan spoke about the respective roles their companies have played in Pepperpot House’s development, and the significance of the project for the local community. The topping out ceremony then saw Barratt and Whelan insert the final ceremonial roof tile, marking the conclusion of the project’s roof construction.

Pepperpot House will offer high-quality one and two-bed self-contained rented apartments to independently minded people over 65. Communal facilities will include a 24-hour concierge service, café/restaurant, licensed bar, wellness suite and a courtyard with a lounge and landscaped roof terrace offering views over Godalming to the Surrey Hills.

Located on Brighton Road in the heart of Godalming, the 1.02-acre plot has been developed on the site of a former Mole Country Stores that had stood empty since September 2017. As part of the development, the Grade II listed Cowshed at the entrance to the site is also being fully restored to provide two one-bed apartments.

Pepperpot House will be the fourth addition to the Birchgrove portfolio, which currently comprises of communities in Ewell, Woking, and Sidcup, housing more than 170 residents. Construction of a fifth community in Banstead is currently underway, with sites to establish four further communities having also been secured (Leatherhead, Surrey; Chiswick, west London; Hampton Court, west London; and Mill Hill, north London).

The development of Birchgrove’s portfolio comes amid a chronic shortage of high-quality retirement properties for the over-65s in the South-East, and surging demand for senior living rented accommodation: according to the English Housing Survey, the number of pensioners in rented accommodation is set to double to over 1m in the next decade.

Honor Barratt, Chief Executive, Birchgrove said:

“I’m hugely proud that Birchgrove is on the cusp of launching its fourth site, but I’m even more inspired by our wonderful residents-to-be who attended the topping out ceremony. They are so excited about this next chapter, and to see them and their families together, interacting and forging a new community, is the real milestone for us. We can’t wait for them to move in and to be able to call Pepperpot House home.”

A London house filled with bin bags and a dated “Wetherspoon” carpet has hit the market at £1m.

The four-bedroom and two-bathroom property located in Harringay Ladder was recently reduced in price.

And when you look inside, it’s perhaps not surprising why.

Described as a “charming Victorian house” in the property listing, the house is spread across three floors but has one common, ugly factor: the carpet.

Having been compared online by social media users to that of a standard Wetherspoon boozer, the floral statement features across the house along with dated decor and stained curtains.

The living area also has an array of bin bags placed delicately on the settee.

Despite its appearance, the property also has good transport links and is within walking distance to both Harringay station and Harringay Green Lanes tube station.

The house, which is offered chain-free, is a short stroll from Finsbury Park.

“The property is arranged over three levels, providing a flexible layout and allowing for privacy and separation between living and sleeping areas,” the listing reads.

“The south-facing rear garden is a delightful feature, offering a sunny and peaceful retreat for outdoor entertaining, gardening, or simply relaxing.”

There’s also potential to expand the property.

However, social media users aren’t quite sold.

“The witherspoons carpet !!!!! #sticky,” said Lorraine, adding several laughing emojis. [sic]

“This house looks like an old pub,” added someone else.

Someone else added: “I’m so glad I don’t live in London!!”

“The more I watch these, the more I realise how much of a con London is,” added another user.

Someone else said: “I lived near that street. While I loved my time in that area, definitely not worth a mil.”

“Does it come with all the kitchen roll?,” joked another person.

Someone else joked: “And the price was reduced,” adding a laughing smiling emoji.

“I need to leave this country. It’s becoming a shit hole,” said Kazura.

“Looks like Pat Butcher lives there with Frank,” added someone else.

Lochview Guest House is now available for acquisition at an unmissable reduced price of Offers Over£550,000.

A testament to Highland living, this remarkable property offers a unique blend of elegance and functionality, boasting breathtaking panoramic views of Loch Broom and the Beinn Dearg mountain range.  

Key features include:

• 7 Ensuite Guest Bedrooms
• Self-Contained Owner’s Accommodation with two Double Bedrooms, Lounge, Kitchen, downstairs toilet, Utility and Garage 
• Gift Shop or Office
• Captivating Views of Loch Broom from Guest Lounge/Conservatory
• ¼ Acre Private Garden with Right of Way Access to the Loch
• Ample Parking for 9 Cars
• Step Free Access

TURNKEY OPERATION: A fully furnished and equipped establishment, Lochview Guest House stands ready to operate as a very successful going concern in a popular holiday destination. Alternatively, it could become a spacious family home, offering real flexibility to the discerning investor.

EXCELLENT LOCATION: Situated on the popular North Coast 500 route and in proximity to local attractions, Ullapool’s vibrant community and the ferry to the Outer Hebrides, Lochview Guest House serves as an ideal base for exploring the wonders of the Scottish Highlands. 

GREAT REVIEWS: The property has garnered acclaim from previous guests, with positive reviews showcased on our website, Google and TripAdvisor. The promising trajectory of 2024 reservations points towards a lucrative future for potential owners.

The decision to reduce the price to Offers Over £550,000 is motivated by the current owner’s commitment to pursue a new business venture in Inverness, creating a rare chance for astute investors or individuals seeking a premium business and/or residence.

Seize this unparalleled opportunity to own such a prestigious property at a compelling price. The 2024 market demand for such a gem is expected to be high and we anticipate a swift response from those who recognise the value of this prime investment.

Your Highland haven awaits!

Interested parties are invited to contact Simon Fraser for comprehensive details and to arrange a private viewing.

When you’re in the process of moving home, there are always a million tasks requiring your attention. And one thing that’s increasingly important in our lives today is ensuring that we have internet access in the new home.

It isn’t complicated, but it may not be something you’ve done before, and there are a few common pitfalls to avoid. We’ve teamed up with Broadband Genie to create this guide, where we’ll explain how you go about moving or switching broadband when settling into a new place, and hopefully, take a little bit of the stress out of your moving day.

Before you move – checking contracts and coverage

The first step is to contact your existing broadband provider to find out several key bits of information: 

1. How much time – if any – is left on your broadband contract. 
2. How much it might cost you to cancel your contract. 
3. How much it might cost you to move your broadband to a new address.
4. How much notice your broadband provider requires to either move or cancel your service

All of these are important, though number 4 is the most crucial; if you leave it too late to notify your ISP (Internet Service Provider) about a move or cancellation, you’ll face delays and additional costs.

Once you’ve got the above info, the next stage is to check broadband coverage at your new address. 

To do this, use an online postcode check to see the available services. This is also something your existing ISP can do when you contact them, but they will only tell you about their services. You might be able to get a faster or cheaper deal (perhaps both) with another provider, so it’s well worth looking at the bigger picture.

As well as finding out about potential cost savings or upgrades, checking coverage will also show whether you might end up with a slower speed. Coverage varies around the country, and there is no guarantee that you can get the same provider or the same type of broadband when you move. Having this information will help you decide whether it is best to switch or stick with your current provider.

When you’re ready to move – cancelling or keeping your broadband

Once you’ve got a moving date, you’ll need to contact your existing ISP within their minimum notice period. 

If you’ve decided to cancel the broadband, you need to ask them to end the service as close to the day you leave as possible. Ideally, it will be the same day, but if that’s not possible, you should end the contract at some point before your moving date. If you leave it too late, you’ll end up paying for the service even after you’ve left, and could block the line for the next occupant. 

When cancelling and switching providers you will also need to sign up for the new service with enough notice that it can be activated as close as possible to the moving in date. It usually takes around 14 working days to set up broadband, but you should contact your new ISP and confirm their timescales. It may also be possible to pick a specific date for installation.

If moving the broadband, you’ll need to get in touch with your provider within the minimum time frame specified (usually something in the region of two weeks, but it can be longer). Give them the details of your new address, and they will end your service at the old address on or near the day you leave, and arrange to activate broadband at the new home on or near your moving-in date.

In either case, you should be prepared for delays. In an ideal scenario, your connection will be up and running on or just after the moving day, but if something goes wrong or you do not meet the ISP’s time frames you could be waiting days or even weeks to get broadband. It’s sensible to have a backup option just in case.

A mobile broadband service can be a suitable replacement in the short term, but unless you already own a dongle and SIM card there will be some expense involved, and that may not be cost effective if it’s just to plug a gap of a few days. Instead, you can use a smartphone with Wi-Fi tethering (also known as a Wi-Fi Hotspot or Wi-Fi Sharing) to connect computers and other devices to a mobile network. But before you do this, check with the mobile network operator to find out if there is any fee involved, and confirm any data usage restrictions to avoid a surprise charge in your next bill.