Help to Buy Valuation Buckinghamshire

A Help to Buy valuation involves a RICS surveyor inspecting your property internally, measuring the property, and assessing its overall condition. The surveyor will then research comparable property sales in your local Buckinghamshire area to determine the current market value. The report must include at least three comparables of similar type, size, and age, preferably within two miles of your property. The valuation is conducted specifically for Homes England requirements and cannot include any improvements you have made to the property since purchase. Our surveyors are familiar with the various property types across Buckinghamshire, from flats in Aylesbury to detached homes in the Chilterns, ensuring accurate comparable selection.

Help to Buy valuations in Buckinghamshire typically cost between £195 and £850, depending on your property's value and size. Larger properties in higher-value areas like the Chilterns, Beaconsfield, and Marlow will be at the higher end of this range, while smaller flats in Aylesbury and Milton Keynes will be more affordable. Homemove offers competitive pricing starting from £195 for properties in Buckinghamshire. The fee reflects the property size, location complexity, and the amount of market research required to provide an accurate valuation.

Your Help to Buy valuation is valid for three months from the date of the survey. If you need more time, a desktop review can extend the validity for a further three months, bringing the total to six months. However, if your equity loan repayment or sale is not completed within six months of the original valuation date, you will need to commission a new full valuation. The desktop review is a simpler process that updates the original valuation without a new physical inspection, but it can only be used once per valuation.

No, a Help to Buy valuation is specifically designed for equity loan repayment calculations with Homes England and cannot be used for mortgage purposes. If you need a mortgage valuation or a more detailed survey, you would need to arrange a separate RICS valuation or survey. However, our surveyors can discuss your requirements and advise on the most appropriate service for your needs. We offer RICS Level 2 and Level 3 surveys if you require a more comprehensive property assessment for mortgage or renovation purposes.

If your Buckinghamshire property has increased in value since you purchased it through Help to Buy, your equity loan repayment will be based on the current market value. For example, if you bought a property for £300,000 with a 20% equity loan (£60,000) and it is now worth £400,000, you would repay £80,000 (20% of £400,000) rather than the original £60,000. Your RICS valuation will determine the current market value. With Buckinghamshire property prices having increased by approximately 2.3% in the past year, many homeowners may find their property has appreciated since purchase.

No, you do not need to vacate your property for the Help to Buy valuation. The surveyor will need access to all rooms, including any loft space if accessible and any outbuildings. It is helpful if you can provide access to any relevant documentation, such as previous survey reports or building control completion certificates for any renovations. We recommend ensuring the surveyor can access all areas freely, including any locked rooms or storage areas, to complete a thorough assessment.

We provide Help to Buy valuations throughout Buckinghamshire, including all major towns and villages. Our surveyors cover Aylesbury, High Wycombe, Milton Keynes, Buckingham, Amersham, Chesham, Marlow, Beaconsfield, and the surrounding areas. Whether your property is in a new build development like Hampden Fields in Aylesbury or a period property in the Chilterns, we have local surveyors who understand the specific market dynamics of your area. We can arrange valuations across the entire county, including more rural areas like the Aylesbury Vale.

While flood risk does not automatically reduce a property's value, it is a factor that surveyors consider in their valuation. Buckinghamshire has significant flood risks, with 18,380 properties at risk of surface water flooding and 3,357 properties at risk of fluvial flooding. Areas like Chesham and High Wycombe are designated as national significant Flood Risk Areas. Our surveyors will note any flood risk in the valuation report, which may be relevant for buyers and lenders. Properties in high-risk flood areas may require specific insurance considerations.