Help to Buy Valuation in Kilmington

A Help to Buy valuation is a specialised type of property assessment required by Homes England when you want to either staircase (buy back more of your property), remortgage your home, or sell your property. Unlike a standard mortgage valuation which focuses purely on security for the lender, a Help to Buy valuation provides a detailed market valuation that determines the equity loan settlement amount. The calculation is based on the current market value of your property, not the original purchase price, which is why an up-to-date valuation is essential.

These valuations must be carried out by a RICS-regulated surveyor and prepared in accordance with the RICS Valuation - Global Standards, commonly known as the Red Book. The valuation report must be addressed specifically to Homes England and remains valid for 90 days. If your transaction does not complete within this period, you will require a new valuation, as Homes England will not accept a report that has expired. This requirement exists because property values can change significantly in the housing market.

During the inspection, our surveyor will visit your Kilmington property to conduct a thorough internal inspection. They will measure the floor area precisely, noting the room dimensions and overall layout. The surveyor will assess the condition of the property, identifying any significant defects that might affect value, such as structural issues, damp problems, or outdated fittings. They will take photographs of the property for the report and compare your home against recent sales of similar properties in the Kilmington and East Devon area to arrive at an accurate market value.

• Internal and external property inspection
• Floor area measurement and comparison
• Analysis of recent comparable sales in Kilmington
• Market value assessment
• Compliance with RICS Red Book standards

When you instruct a valuation for Help to Buy purposes, it is essential that your surveyor is RICS-regulated and experienced in equity loan valuations. Homes England will only accept valuations from RICS members who have the appropriate professional indemnity insurance and understand the specific requirements of the scheme. Using a non-RICS surveyor will result in your application being rejected, wasting both time and money. We ensure that every valuation we provide meets the exacting standards required by Homes England.

Our surveyors operating in Kilmington and the surrounding East Devon villages have extensive local knowledge of the property market. They understand how factors such as the village's rural character, proximity to Axminster and the coast, and the mix of older period properties and modern homes can affect property values in the area. Kilmington's housing stock includes traditional stone-built cottages, period homes, and more recent developments, each requiring different approaches to valuation.

The Kilmington property market has shown significant volatility in recent years. According to some reports, prices increased by 79% on the previous year, though other data shows a 12% decrease from previous peaks. The average house price in East Devon as of February 2026 was £396,000, representing a 6.6% fall over the last 12 months, while the Office for National Statistics reported an average of £344,000 in December 2025, a 4.1% increase year-on-year. Our local surveyors can navigate these nuances to provide an accurate valuation that reflects current market conditions in Kilmington specifically.

• RICS Red Book compliance guaranteed
• Local knowledge of Kilmington market
• Fast turnaround times
• Electronic report delivery
• Fixed fees with no hidden costs

Staircasing allows Help to Buy owners to purchase additional shares in their property, eventually owning 100% of their home. If you are looking to staircase in Kilmington, you will need a current market valuation to determine the price of the additional share you wish to purchase. The cost of staircasing is calculated based on the current market value of your property, not the original purchase price, so the valuation is a critical part of the process.

The staircasing process can be completed in stages, allowing you to gradually increase your ownership share. Many homeowners in Kilmington choose to staircase in 10% increments, though you can staircase for any percentage up to 100%. Each time you staircase, you will need a new valuation, as the equity loan repayment is based on the property value at the time of each transaction. Our surveyors can provide you with clear information about the costs involved.

If you are looking to remortgage your Help to Buy property onto a standard mortgage product, your lender will require a valuation. However, if you have an equity loan, you may also need a separate Help to Buy valuation for Homes England, depending on your remortgage arrangements. Some homeowners choose to remortgage to buy out the equity loan entirely, which would require both a standard mortgage valuation and a Help to Buy valuation. The process can be complex, especially if you are increasing your mortgage to buy out the equity loan. Our surveyors can provide the necessary documentation and explain the process to ensure you understand exactly what is required for your specific situation.