Buying property is an expensive undertaking, and even more so since the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) surcharge was introduced in 2016. First announced in the Chancellor’s 2015 Autumn Statement, the extra 3% tax applies to anyone purchasing additional residential properties worth more than £40K such as a holiday home or a buy-to-let property in the UK. Mobile homes, houseboats and caravans are...

Under the 1993 Leasehold Reform Act, you have a legal entitlement to extend the lease on your property, provided you have been the owner for at least 2 years. The Act provides a mechanism by which the freeholder grants a lease extension of 90 years in addition to the remaining years on your current lease, while any ground rent payable is set to a peppercorn or zero. Unfortunately, not everyone follows...

When you insist on performing most of the renovation or decorating tasks yourself on a home project, it pays to protect yourself and your home. It’s all too easy to damage something or yourself in the process. Here are a few ideas on how to provide some affordable protection when working alone. Protecting the Floors One of the biggest issues for homeowners when decorating is damaging the floor...

Between 1999 and 2016, the U.S. State Department estimated that the number of American citizens living abroad increased from four to nine million. Moving or retiring to a foreign country is clearly a dream for many of us, but there are many practical considerations that if left unattended can turn the whole process into a nightmare. To help make things less daunting, read on for seven essential tips...

Curb appeal, to put it simply, refers to how your home looks from the curb. It says a lot about the attractiveness of a property, which is why people invest a lot of money in external renovation and repair work. As a homeowner yourself, you know how important it is to make a statement through your home. One thing’s for sure, it provides a sense of self-fulfillment to get compliments about your...

Many of you may be looking to sell your home; you might be moving to another place or you need a bigger (or smaller) house. For whatever reason, you want to sell it fast. But, real estate buyers are becoming more and more practical these days. They like to make sure that every inch of the property is perfect, and that what they are buying is worth it. Here are some tips to help you sell for your home...

Security has become a priority in today’s modern world and while once upon a time, you could leave the key in the door of your house or you could pop out for a moment during business hours, those days are sadly gone and you now need to protect yourself and your home and business at all times. CCTV is a great way to put would be burglars and opportunist thieves off coming into or onto your premises...

South Carolina is rapidly becoming one of the fastest growing states in the southeastern United States. The reasons cited most often include easy access to services, high-quality public schools, safe neighborhoods, and affordable cost of living. Of course, South Carolina is a big place. You may be asking yourself, "that sounds nice and everything, but where exactly are people going?" That's a great...

Now that you’re settled in your Dallas or Houston Darling home, it’s time to connect with your neighbors. And what better way to do that than to throw a pool party? A Darling home is the perfect place to entertain friends, family and other guests due to its open floor concept and astounding backyard space. Here’s how you can make the most out of your Darling home for a pool...

I've always dreamed of being able to build my own Texas lake house. This could be a place where my wife and I can spend the rest of life; something I can eventually pass down to my children, to be kept in the family for future generations. It gives you the ability to design and plan every aspect that goes into building your house. You'll also be able to make it entirely customizable, high ceilings, large...