Guide
How Is Mortgage Affordability Calculated in the UK?
How UK lenders work out what you can borrow: income multiples, outgoings, the stress test and worked examples, plus how to check your offer is sensible.
24 October 2026
Insights
Property intelligence,
delivered.
Expert analysis, market insights, and practical guides for smarter property decisions in the UK.
City research
Asking vs sold prices
Bournemouth Flats Listed 13% Above What They Sell For
Flats are listed 13.2% above sold prices and take 339 days to sell on average.
Asking vs sold prices
Southampton Homes Listed £22,000 Above What They Sell For
Homes are listed 9.4% above sold prices, with detached homes £56,000 above.
Asking vs sold prices
Portsmouth Has the Widest Gap of Bournemouth, Southampton and Portsmouth, But Not for Terraced Homes
The widest overall gap of Bournemouth, Southampton and Portsmouth at 9.6%, but terraced homes are listed below sold prices.
Asking vs sold prices
Brighton & Hove: Asking Price vs Sold Price in 2026
Average asking prices of £505,756 versus £403,449 sold: what the headline gap really means for buyers.
Asking vs sold prices
Bristol: Asking Price vs Sold Price in 2026
Average asking prices of £412,766 versus £350,161 sold, with asking price reductions averaging 1.9%.
Asking vs sold prices
Exeter: Asking Price vs Sold Price in 2026
Average asking prices of £344,360 versus £281,197 sold: the real gap and how much you can negotiate.
Guide
How to Check if a Property Is in a Conservation Area
Find out if a home is in a conservation area, what the designation restricts, and how to check before you offer, using council maps, searches and Article 4 rules.
23 October 2026
Guide
HMO vs Single Let: Which Buy-to-Let Strategy Suits You?
HMO or single let? Compare yields, licensing, running costs, tenant turnover and planning rules in England and Wales, so you can choose the right buy-to-let.
22 October 2026
Guide
Clay Soil Subsidence: Risks, Warning Signs and What to Do
How clay soil causes subsidence in UK homes, where the risk is highest, the cracks that matter, and what to check before you make an offer on a property.
20 October 2026
Guide
5 proven steps to negotiate house price and save thousands
Learn 5 data-backed steps to negotiate house price effectively in 2026. Save thousands with proven strategies for first-time buyers and property investors.
3 April 2026
Guide
Home buying workflow: step-by-step guide for 2026
Follow this step-by-step home buying workflow to avoid costly mistakes, prepare your finances, and verify a successful purchase with data-backed decisions.
2 April 2026
Guide
Understand and use property market trends to buy smart
Learn what property market trends really mean in 2026 and how to use data on prices, inventory, and buyer demographics to make smarter, more confident buying decisions.
1 April 2026
Property Buyers
Is Offering 10% Below Asking Price Insulting? A UK Agent's Answer
A 10% below-asking offer is not insulting if you can back it up with evidence. Here's when it works, when it backfires, and how to word it so the seller takes it seriously.
1 October 2026 7 min read
Property Buyers
How Much Lower Than Asking Price Should I Offer in 2026?
Most UK buyers ask how much lower they can go. The honest answer depends on the local market, the property and your position. Here's a simple way to work out your number.
30 September 2026 8 min read
Property Buyers
Offering 15% Below Asking Price: When It Works (and When It Doesn't)
A 15% below-asking offer is a big ask, but there are situations where it's completely justified. Here's how to tell if yours is one of them.
29 September 2026 7 min read
Guides
What Does OIRO Mean? How Much Should You Offer?
OIRO means 'offers in the region of'. It's a signal the seller will consider offers around that figure, but it isn't the property's value. Here's how to decide what to offer.
28 September 2026 6 min read
Guides
How to Offer Below Asking Price: Email Template for UK Buyers
The way you present a below-asking offer matters as much as the number. Copy this proven email structure and adapt it to your property.
27 September 2026 6 min read
Guides
Sold STC Meaning: Can You Still Make an Offer?
Sold STC means an offer has been accepted but nothing is legally binding yet. Here's what it means for you as a buyer, and how to put in an offer if you still want the property.
10 September 2026 6 min read
Guides
What Does 'Under Offer' Mean When Buying a House?
Under offer means the seller has accepted an offer, but the property may still be available. Here's what it tells you, how it differs from Sold STC, and what you can do.
14 September 2026 5 min read
Property Buyers
What Is Gazumping? How to Protect Yourself When Buying
Gazumping is when a seller accepts a higher offer after already agreeing a sale with you. It's legal in England and Wales. Here's how it happens and the practical steps that reduce your risk.
18 September 2026 7 min read
Property Buyers
Best and Final Offers: How Sealed Bids Work in the UK
When an agent asks for 'best and final offers', you usually get one chance. Here's how the process works, what sellers really look at, and how to decide your number.
22 September 2026 7 min read
Guides
How to Calculate Price Per Square Foot on a UK House
Price per square foot is one of the simplest ways to compare homes of different sizes. Here's how to calculate it, where to find floor areas, and the mistakes that skew the numbers.
26 September 2026 6 min read
Guides
What Does Guide Price Mean When Buying a House?
A guide price is an indication of what a seller hopes to achieve, not a guarantee of value or what they'll accept. Check comparable sales, condition and demand before deciding what to offer.
24 August 2026 8 min read
Property Buyers
How to Make an Offer on a House in the UK
Make your offer through the estate agent, state your figure clearly, confirm your buying position, and back it with comparable sold evidence — here's a step-by-step approach with a template.
24 August 2026 9 min read
Property Buyers
When Should You Offer Above Asking Price? UK Buyer Guide
Offering above asking can be reasonable when comparable evidence, genuine competition and affordability line up — but not simply because an agent says there's interest. Here's how to set your limit.
24 August 2026 8 min read
Guides
How to Find Comparable Sold Prices for a UK Property
The best comparable sales are recent completed transactions that closely match a property by location, type, floor area, condition and tenure — here's how to find and weigh them.
24 August 2026 9 min read
Property Buyers
How to Negotiate a House Price After a Survey
If a survey uncovers a material issue you couldn't reasonably have known about, gather evidence, decide your acceptable outcome and present a proportionate, evidence-based proposal to the seller.
24 August 2026 10 min read
Guides
Sold House Prices: How to Check What Homes on Your Street Sold For
HM Land Registry records the price of every residential sale in England and Wales. Here's how to look up sold prices for a street or postcode, and how to read them correctly.
1 July 2026 6 min read
Guides
What Is My House Worth? How Estimates Actually Work
Asking price, sold price and estimated market value are three different things. Here's what a house valuation can and cannot tell you, and how the estimates are produced.
8 July 2026 7 min read
Property Buyers
Is This House Overpriced? How to Check Before You Offer
Compare the asking price with sold evidence, check the listing's price history for reductions, and read the signals that a home is priced above what the market will pay.
15 July 2026 7 min read
Guides
Flood Risk and Noise: What to Check Before You Buy
Flood maps and noise signals can flag problems a viewing will never reveal. Here's what the official data shows, what it can't, and how to use it before you make an offer.
22 July 2026 6 min read
Guides
Leasehold Costs Explained: Ground Rent, Service Charges and Lease Extension
Flats and many new-build houses are leasehold. Here's what you'll actually pay each year, what a lease extension involves, and how to check a lease before you offer.
29 July 2026 8 min read
Guides
EPC Checker by Address: How to Read an Energy Certificate
Every home sold or let in England and Wales needs an EPC. Here's how to find a property's certificate, what the ratings and floor area mean, and what to do if there isn't one.
5 August 2026 5 min read
Property Buyers
The True Cost of Buying a House: Upfront and Monthly, Worked Out
Deposit, stamp duty, legal fees, surveys, mortgage fees, moving costs — and the monthly bills that follow. Here's the full picture of what a UK house purchase really costs.
12 August 2026 8 min read
Guides
How Estate Agents Value Properties — And How You Can Check Their Numbers
Estate agents use comparable sales, price per square foot, and local market data to set asking prices. Here's how their valuation process works — and how buyers can verify it independently.
9 March 2026 8 min read
Property Buyers
What Smart Property Buyers Check Before Making an Offer (That Most People Miss)
Many buyers focus on kerb appeal and asking price. Experienced buyers dig deeper — analysing market data, hidden costs, and negotiation signals before they ever make an offer.
5 March 2026 7 min read
Guides
How Much Should I Offer on a House? UK Buyer Guide
Deciding how much to offer on a house is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make. This guide breaks down the key factors — from comparable sold prices to local market conditions — so you can make a confident, data-backed offer.
20 March 2026 9 min read
Property Buyers
How to Tell If a House Is Overpriced: 7 UK Buyer Checks
Overpaying for a property is one of the most common and costly mistakes buyers make. Here's how to spot overpriced listings, verify asking prices, and protect yourself from paying more than a property is worth.
18 March 2026 8 min read
Market Insights
How to Use Sold Prices and Local Property Data Before You Offer
The best property offers are grounded in local data — not guesswork. Learn how to use sold prices, price per square foot, and area-level market trends to calculate a fair and competitive offer.
16 March 2026 8 min read
Property Buyers
How Much Below Asking Price Should You Offer? UK 2026 Guide
There is no universal percentage. How far below asking you can sensibly offer depends on sold evidence, time on market, reductions, condition and local demand.
14 March 2026 9 min read
Guides
How to Calculate an Offer on a House: UK Step-by-Step Guide
Calculating a property offer shouldn't be guesswork. This guide shows you the step-by-step method used by experienced buyers to arrive at a fair, data-driven offer price.
12 March 2026 9 min read