Properties in Brighton and Hove
There is a large number of accommodation websites available which advertise places to rent. The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is the housing benefit for people living in private rented accommodation.LHA allows landlords and tenants to be clear about the amount of benefit tenants will receive, and speeds up the process of initiating a tenancy and a claim for benefit. The allowance will normally be paid directly to the tenant every fortnight but, in some circumstances, the council can make the payment to the landlord.
If you are going to be using a mortgage to make your purchase then it's important to get this in place before you start looking. Leaders has teamed up with Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB) and the company can assess your borrowing potential and secure you an agreement in principle, which will help you determine how much you can afford.
As well as the purchase price of the property, it is important to remember other associated buying costs, such as stamp duty, solicitor's fees and, if applicable, mortgage arrangement and valuation fees.Most people view a property more than once before making a decision on it, and if you do this it makes sense to view at different times of day so you get a feel for the property in different lights. It is a big decision and it is best to be 100 per cent happy before you proceed.
If you are looking for a property to buy then you will know it is likely to be one of the largest purchases you will ever make and for that reason it can seem very daunting. However it does not have to be a long and confusing process, particularly if you buy through a professional and experienced agent.
As soon as you pinpoint the property for sale that you want, it is time to make an offer, which you should submit to the agent. A period of negotiation may follow and if there are other buyers interested the property may go to sealed bids, at which time it is important you stay within your affordability range.
You may be a first-time buyer who is new to the process, you may be climbing the property ladder and also have a property sell, or you may be buying an investment property. Either way you will be looking for a property to buy which ticks all of the boxes and Leaders would be delighted to help you in your search.
The first step is to set your budget, for which you will need to consider your income and either any savings or the proceeds from the sale of your existing property. If you have a property to sell, with more than 110 branches across the UK, Leaders can offer you an up-to-date market appraisal of your home that will help you understand how much equity you have to put towards your next purchase.
There is very little social housing in Brighton and a huge demand for accommodation. This means that council and housing association properties are not widely available. Most people who need to move find accommodation in the private sector. Homemove is available to anyone 18 years of age or over who wishes to apply for a council or housing association property in the city.
Searching for the right property can take time, so it is wise to make a list of the must-haves and ideals you would like in your next home. As well as registering with your local Leaders branch where one of our property consultants will take a full list of your requirements, you can sign up for email alerts online about new properties so that you know as soon as a property is available. Being able to view properties promptly will ensure that you do not miss out on your perfect home.
During viewings it is important to take your time and ask as many questions as possible. Remember that it is the house you are buying, not the current occupier's decorative tastes or furniture. Often properties might look small as a result of furniture that is larger than you would choose, or the feel of a room can be changed by individual belongings. So it is best to try to imagine each room empty and then visualize your own furniture instead.
There are several steps that follow once your offer is made and before you become the legal owner of the property and the right agent can take some of the stress out of this period, so when making an offer you should also consider how professional and friendly the agent is. You will be dealing with them for anything up to 6 months - although a typical purchase takes between six and 12 weeks - so it is important to have a good and trusting relationship. The agent acts for the seller, but they can and should also assist you during each stage of your purchase.
