Bennet Samways, Ashbourne

We have teamed up with an established, local independent mortgage advice company, who provide first class advice in helping you choose the right mortgage for your particular circumstances. They have the advantage of being able offer a comprehensive range of lenders from large mainstream to the smaller individual ones without being tied to just a few. They have access to 1000's of lenders products also helping clients needing more complex bespoke financing options. With fixed and variable rates available, and with so much to discuss, it's really important to be able get sound advice from a company you can trust.

You could be at the beginning of your journey searching for a new property, and it's crucial to get the correct advice to help you budget for the right properties. Another crucial advantage is to be able to act quickly in providing an Agreement in Principle (AIP), or a Decision in Principle (DIP) to demonstrate you can afford a property when making offers. We also highly recommend that after you have had your valuation you book a mortgage review, to see what you can comfortably afford with regard to your onward move.

Finally, our independent mortgage advisers will not normally charge* for any advice, or for the service of sourcing, and processing your mortgage application up to completion, when you move in.

Exclusive benefits:

• Independent Mortgage Advice
• Free Appointments
• Free Advice With No Charge*
• Whole Of The Market Choice of Lenders
• Expert Advice
• Support all the way through to completion

Purchasing your next property is one of the most important assets you can buy, so it's crucial to thoroughly check the property by a professional RICS Chartered Surveyor. We have several links with local surveyors in our area to assist you. There are three main levels of surveys which you can instruct:

Mortgage Valuation - This does not actually count as a survey - it's an assessment by your mortgage lender. They send a valuation specialist to value the property. This is to see if it's worth the money you're going to pay, and if the lender should give you a mortgage on it. These valuations can vary from 'drive by' to a more in-depth inspection of the property.
The valuer is only concerned with problems that might affect the protection of the mortgage lender's loan. They aren't obliged to reveal any structural problems to you. The lender simply needs to know that they can recoup their loan, if required.

Condition Report (Level 1) - This is the most basic of reports - it gives an overview of the condition of the property. It is intended to supplement the information provided with a mortgage valuation survey. It may be the survey needed for new builds just to get a general assessment, but the majority of properties will need a Homebuyer Report (Level 2 Survey).

Homebuyers Report (Level 2) - is a survey to find and document any problems in a property that could cause damage, and need future repairs, such as damp or subsidence. A Homebuyer Report is carried out on homes that are in a reasonable condition, and only checks for easily visible problems.
The Homebuyer Report will not detail every single aspect of the building, but it can reveal issues that might impact the value of the property, and need further investigation. It will include all major sections of a property that are visible to the surveyor, so they will not lift up floors, or carpets and wiring will not be included.

Building Survey (Level 3) - Previously known as a Structural Survey, a Building Survey (otherwise known as the Level 3 RICS Survey) is an in-depth inspection of a property. It is the most comprehensive of the surveys available for residential properties, and will provide a detailed evaluation of a property's condition.
The Building Survey report will describe the condition of each element of the house and identify the property's defects, their apparent cause, the urgency of repair, maintenance options, and may also include an approximate cost of repair.

We can help you and advise you in whether you need an EPC, or whether yours has expired. It is a legal requirement to have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) when a building is sold, rented or constructed.

Your property's EPC needs to be available to potential buyers as soon as you start to market your property for sale or rent. This will inform people how energy efficiency of the property, including any potential savings on fuel payments. EPC's last for 10 years before requiring a new one.

Key fact: As long as place your property on the market before the EPC's expires, and keep it on the market until it's sold, then you do not need to renew even if it has expired. Also properties that are Listed are exempt from requiring an EPC.