RICS compliant valuations for equity loan redemption and staircasing








If you own a Help to Buy property in Unstone and are looking to make a partial or full repayment of your equity loan, you will need a RICS registered valuer to provide an official property valuation. This valuation is a legal requirement under the Help to Buy scheme and must be carried out by a qualified surveyor who understands the local Unstone property market, where average property prices currently sit around £260,000 to £277,000 depending on the source.
Our team of RICS qualified valuers regularly serve property owners throughout Unstone and the surrounding Derbyshire area. We understand that selling your home or staircasing your equity loan is a significant financial decision, and we provide clear, comprehensive valuations that help you move forward with confidence. The valuation report meets all Help to Buy England and Homes England requirements, ensuring your equity loan repayment is calculated correctly based on the current market value of your Unstone home.
Unstone presents a unique property market with its mix of period sandstone cottages, 1940s estates built originally for coal miners, and new developments including The Boatyard on Sheffield Road. Our valuers understand these different property types and how local market dynamics affect your valuation, whether you own a Victorian cottage near the village centre or a modern home on one of the newer estates.

£260,000 - £277,000
Average House Price
£465,000
Detached Properties
£206,250
Semi-Detached Properties
£270,000
Terraced Properties
185
Properties Sold (10 Years)
When you purchased your property through the Help to Buy scheme in Unstone, you received an equity loan from the government to supplement your deposit. This loan is typically for up to 20% of the property value (or 40% in London), and you are required to repay a proportional amount when you sell your home or staircase (buy back) a portion of the equity. The valuation we provide determines the current market value of your property, which directly affects the amount you owe on your equity loan. For example, if your property was purchased for £200,000 with a 20% equity loan (£40,000) and is now valued at £260,000, your repayment would increase to £52,000.
The Help to Buy valuation in Unstone follows RICS Red Book standards, ensuring the report is recognised by Help to Buy England and all participating mortgage lenders. Our valuer will inspect your property inside and out, taking photographs and notes on the condition, layout, and any improvements you have made since purchase. The report includes a detailed analysis of comparable properties in the Unstone area to support the valuation figure, drawing on recent sales data from Rightmove, Zoopla, and HM Land Registry.
Unstone's property market has shown considerable activity in recent years, with semi-detached properties dominating sales. The village offers a range of housing from period cottages built from local sandstone to modern developments. Understanding these local market dynamics is essential for an accurate valuation, and our valuers bring extensive local knowledge to every assessment. Recent data shows sold prices were 23% up on the previous year, though still 12% below the 2023 peak of £296,900.
Source: Rightmove 2024
Choose a convenient date and time for your valuation survey. We offer flexible appointments throughout Unstone and the surrounding Derbyshire area, including evenings and weekends where available. Simply use our online booking system or call our team directly to arrange a suitable time.
Our RICS qualified valuer will visit your Unstone property to conduct a thorough inspection, measuring rooms, noting the condition, and photographing key features. The inspection typically takes 30-60 minutes depending on the size and complexity of your property. We will examine all accessible areas including the roof space, basement, and outbuildings where applicable.
We research recent sales of comparable properties in Unstone and surrounding areas to determine an accurate market value for your home. This includes analysing sales data from the last 12 months, considering property type, size, condition, location, and any improvements made since original purchase. Our valuers are familiar with local trends, including the impact of new developments like The Boatyard on Sheffield Road on surrounding property values.
Your official RICS valuation report is typically delivered within 3-5 working days of the inspection, ready for submission to Help to Buy England. The report includes the market valuation, comparable evidence, photographs, and all documentation required for your equity loan redemption or staircasing application. We can also provide an expedited service if you need your report sooner.
If you are staircasing (buying back equity), you can staircase in increments of 10% or more. The valuation determines how much this will cost. For example, if your property is valued at £260,000 and you want to staircase by 10%, you would pay £26,000 plus any fees. Remember that staircasing is permanent - once you buy back equity, you cannot reverse the transaction.
Unstone has seen new housing development in recent years, including The Boatyard Phase 2 by Sanctuary on Sheffield Road, which offers contemporary 3 and 4 bedroom homes with prices starting around £285,000. These properties are available through Shared Ownership, which can affect your Help to Buy valuation if you purchased through that scheme. Additionally, a new 38-home affordable housing development near Unstone Junior School provides additional housing options for the village, with properties available through Shared Ownership and Affordable Rent tenures.
If you purchased a Help to Buy property on one of these new developments, our valuers understand the specific considerations involved in valuing new build homes in the Unstone area. New build properties often require additional consideration in valuations, including the impact of any builder incentives, Help to Buy bonuses, or management fees. Barratt Homes also operates in the wider Derbyshire area with properties ranging from £259,995 to £589,995, and our experience with properties throughout the region ensures your valuation accurately reflects the current market position of your new build home.
Our valuers are familiar with the specific challenges of valuing Help to Buy properties on new developments, including the impact of scheme incentives on original purchase prices and how these affect equity loan calculations. We will ensure your valuation report accurately reflects the current market value while meeting all Help to Buy England requirements for equity loan redemption or staircasing.

Unstone is a village in North East Derbyshire with a population of approximately 1,814 residents across 856 households, according to the 2021 Census. The village has a rich history particularly tied to coal mining, with Unstone Main Colliery being the primary employer until around 1900. Today, the village maintains much of its historical character, with 15 listed buildings in the civil parish, including two Grade II* properties - West Handley Hall and Unstone Manor House. These local characteristics directly impact property values and must be considered in any Help to Buy valuation.
The local property market in Unstone primarily consists of semi-detached homes, with properties ranging from Victorian and Edwardian cottages constructed from local coal measures sandstone to modern estates. The River Drone runs through the village, and prospective buyers should be aware of any flood risk considerations when purchasing property in certain areas. The West Handley Conservation Area also covers part of the village, which can affect property values and renovation possibilities for period properties.
Recent market data shows some price variation in Unstone, with Rightmove reporting a 23% increase in sold prices over the last year compared to the previous year, though prices remain 12% below the 2023 peak of £296,900. OnTheMarket indicates a fall of 11.8% over the last 12 months as of February 2026. Understanding these local market dynamics is crucial for an accurate Help to Buy valuation, and our valuers bring detailed knowledge of the Unstone and surrounding Derbyshire property markets to every assessment.
The mix of housing stock in Unstone includes the Unstone Green estate, built in the 1940s as temporary housing for coal miners and still intact today, alongside newer developments. This variety means our valuers must consider multiple factors when determining market value, from the character of period sandstone properties to the impact of new build developments on surrounding values. Our experience in Unstone ensures we account for all these local factors in your valuation.
A Help to Buy valuation is a RICS compliant property valuation required when you want to either sell your Help to Buy property, staircase (buy back equity), or make a part-repayment of your equity loan. The valuation determines the current market value of your property, which calculates the amount you need to repay on your equity loan. In Unstone, where property prices range from £50,000 to £1,400,000, this valuation is essential for accurately determining your repayment figure under the Help to Buy scheme.
Help to Buy valuations in Unstone typically start from £199 for basic valuations, with full RICS valuations available from £350. The cost depends on property type and the level of report detail required. Nationally, Help to Buy valuations typically range between £200 and £600, with some firms offering fixed fees. Your valuation report will be accepted by Help to Buy England and all major UK mortgage lenders.
Yes, Help to Buy England requires all valuations to be carried out by a RICS registered valuer. The valuation must use RICS Red Book methodology and be conducted by a qualified surveyor. Our team includes RICS qualified valuers who regularly complete Help to Buy valuations throughout Derbyshire, including in Unstone where we understand the local market dynamics and property types, from period sandstone cottages to new build developments like The Boatyard.
The property inspection typically takes 30-60 minutes depending on the size and complexity of your Unstone property. You will receive your written valuation report within 3-5 working days of the inspection. If you need your report urgently, we offer an expedited service that can deliver your valuation in as little as 2-3 working days for an additional fee.
If your property value has decreased since you purchased it through Help to Buy, your equity loan repayment may be less than the original amount you borrowed. However, you will still need to repay the original loan amount plus any accrued interest, regardless of whether your property has increased or decreased in value. Our valuer will provide an accurate current market valuation to determine your exact repayment figure. Recent data shows Unstone prices are 12% below the 2023 peak, so understanding your current position is essential.
Yes, our RICS valuations are accepted by all major UK mortgage lenders. If you are remortgaging your Help to Buy property or switching to a standard mortgage product, our report can often serve both purposes, potentially saving you money on additional valuation fees. This is particularly useful if you are looking to move from a Help to Buy equity loan to a standard mortgage once you have staircased sufficiently or are approaching the end of your loan term.
Several local factors can affect your Help to Buy valuation in Unstone, including the type of property (detached homes average £465,000 while semi-detached properties average £206,250), the age and construction of the property (many period properties are built from local coal measures sandstone), and the location within the village including proximity to the River Drone or fall within the West Handley Conservation Area. Recent comparable sales in the area, including sales on new developments like The Boatyard, will also influence the valuation figure.
Yes, the type of Help to Buy property you purchased can affect your valuation. If you bought a new build property through Help to Buy, factors such as builder incentives, management fees, and the original Help to Buy bonus paid to the developer may need to be considered. If you purchased through Shared Ownership, the valuation process may differ. Our valuers have experience with all property types in Unstone and will ensure your valuation meets Help to Buy England requirements.
From £350
A detailed survey suitable for conventional properties, identifying defects and issues
From £500
A comprehensive survey for older or complex properties, with detailed advice
From £60
Energy Performance Certificate required for property sales and rentals
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RICS compliant valuations for equity loan redemption and staircasing
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Homemove is a trading name of HM Haus Group Ltd (Company No. 13873779, registered in England & Wales). Homemove Mortgages Ltd (Company No. 15947693) is an Appointed Representative of TMG Direct Limited, trading as TMG Mortgage Network, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 786245). Homemove Mortgages Ltd is entered on the FCA Register as an Appointed Representative (FRN 1022429). You can check registrations at NewRegister or by calling 0800 111 6768.