Plain-English answers on UK property.
How-to guides, common-question explainers, and translations of what just changed in the market. Sourced, dated, and written for the person actually doing the selling or buying.
How much will I actually get when I sell my UK house?
In 2026 you typically walk away with the sale price minus around 2.5% to 3% in selling costs and whatever is left on your mortgage. On the UK average home of £299,313 (Halifax House Price Index, April 2026), that means budgeting roughly £7,000 to £9,000 in fees before you settle the mortgage and pocket the rest.
Sell house fast in Basildon: what works in 2026
A genuinely fast Basildon sale, through the open market and a chain-free buyer, can complete in 8 to 10 weeks from offer. The 'we buy any home' fast-sale companies offer 75 to 85% of market value in return for the speed, which is rarely a good outcome unless the seller's circumstances make speed worth the discount.
How to compare estate agent fees in the UK in 2026
Compare estate agent fees on five things, not one: the headline commission, the contract type, the tie-in period, what is included, and the cancellation terms. The agent quoting the lowest percentage is rarely the agent who leaves you with the most money in your pocket at completion.
How long does it take to sell a house in Basildon in 2026?
A Basildon home in 2026 typically sells in 5 to 6 months end-to-end: roughly 9 to 11 weeks from listing to sale agreed, plus 12 to 16 weeks of conveyancing to completion. The local timeline runs close to the UK average, but the spread is wider in Basildon than the national headline suggests.
Do I need a house survey when buying a UK home?
Yes, in almost every case. A house survey is independent advice on the condition of the property, paid for by the buyer, and it is separate from the mortgage lender's valuation. The right survey level depends on the age, construction, and condition of the home.
What are the legal requirements for selling a house in the UK?
Selling a UK home legally requires a valid Energy Performance Certificate, the Law Society protocol forms (TA6, TA10, TA13), a regulated conveyancer or solicitor, anti-money-laundering identity checks, and full disclosure of material information about the property under National Trading Standards rules. Most steps are routine; missing one can delay or unwind a sale.
How much is my house worth in Essex in 2026?
An honest Essex valuation in 2026 starts with recent sold prices on the same street or postcode, adjusts for the condition of the home, and is then triangulated against three local agents who have to back their figures with evidence. The single number on a portal is a starting point, not an answer.
How much do UK estate agents charge in 2026?
The typical UK estate agent fee in 2026 is around 1% to 1.5% of the agreed sale price plus 20% VAT, so 1.2% to 1.8% inc VAT for sole agency. Online flat-fee agents charge between £99 and £1,500 regardless of sale value.
How long does it take to sell a house in the UK?
Selling a UK home in 2026 takes roughly 5 to 6 months end-to-end, split into 66 days to find a buyer and 12 to 16 further weeks to complete. About 1 in 3 agreed sales fall through before completion, so the calendar is rarely a straight line.
How much stamp duty will I pay in the UK in 2026?
Stamp Duty Land Tax in 2026 starts at 0% up to £125,000 and rises in bands to 12% above £1.5 million. First-time buyers pay 0% up to £300,000; anyone buying an additional property pays a 5% surcharge across every band.
How to choose an estate agent in the UK in 2026
Choosing an estate agent comes down to three things: a valuation backed by recent sold-price evidence, a fee structure the seller has read in full, and a tie-in period the seller can live with. Most sellers pick on a gut feel and pay the cost over the following 6 months.
Why don't UK houses sell? The 2026 overpricing problem
Around 44% of UK homes listed for sale in the past three years didn't end up selling. The single biggest cause is the asking price being set too high at the start of the listing.
Where your estate agent's fee actually goes after you sell
There is a sign in the window of the family-run agency on the High Street. It says: "Sponsoring Basildon Town under-12s, 2024." Two doors down, the chain branch has changed shopfront colours twice in the same period. Different signage. Different staff inside. Same window.