Brighton & Sussex has a lot of architects. In 2025, there were over 120 architects working in Brighton & Hove. More than 60 of them have 5 star ratings on public review sites. This is a very high number compared to many other UK cities. According to a RIBA survey, about 76 % of homeowners who…

Home extensions and renovations are no longer small upgrade projects; they are major financial decisions. According to the 2025 UK Houzz & Home Study, more than 51% of homeowners carried out renovation work, with a median spend of £21,440. The same study also found that 94% of homeowners chose to hire professional builders or renovation…

Many homes hide costly problems you can’t see at first glance. According to RICS, 60% of properties have hidden issues such as damp, roof damage, or structural faults.  Studies of UK homebuyers also show that those who skip a survey often face unexpected repair bills, with 44% reporting serious issues within the first year. Damp…

In the UK rental market today, working with a letting agent is a key choice for many landlords. According to a 2025 industry survey by GoodLord, around 57% of landlords use a letting agent to manage some or all of their properties, with many saying agents help them find tenants, handle referencing, ensure legal compliance…

In the UK today, the legal work involved in buying a home often takes longer than buyers expect. According to PropertyWire, transactions regularly stretch to 12–18 weeks between offer and completion due to regulatory and procedural delays. Despite its importance, research by the Home Owners Alliance shows that only around 40 % of UK adults fully…

Brighton & Hove and wider Sussex remain among the South East’s most active housing markets in 2026, with high buyer demand and tightening average selling times. Independent estate agencies continue to lead the way, consistently closing more local sales than national chains. Family homes in BN2 and surrounding postcodes are moving faster than flats, while…

Getting a mortgage is a big step, but if you’re self-employed in Brighton & Hove, it can feel more complicated than it should. Without a regular payslip, many freelancers, contractors, and business owners find that high-street advice doesn’t quite fit their situation, especially when income changes year to year, and property prices are anything but…

Standard mortgages don’t fund build costs. Development finance fills that gap, funding land and construction with staged drawdowns tied to build progress and monitoring surveyor sign-offs. Typical structure • Initial advance to acquire land/assets. • Further funds released in stages as works are completed. • Interest may roll up to preserve cash flow during the…

When timing matters more than pricing, bridging loans shine. They’re secured, short-term facilities designed to complete purchases quickly, fund refurbishments, or release cash pending a sale or refinance. How bridging loans work • Term: typically 3–18 months (up to ~24 months with some lenders). • Security: usually one or more properties (1st/2nd charge). • Interest:…

Unlike residential mortgages, commercial mortgages fund business premises and investment properties such as offices, retail units, warehouses, and mixed-use buildings. The lending is bespoke: underwriters assess the business, property, cash flow, and borrower experience. Types of commercial mortgages • Owner-occupied: for businesses buying premises they trade from. • Commercial investment: for investors purchasing property to…

For many first-time buyers, affordability is the biggest hurdle. Even with a healthy deposit, lender income assessments can block access to the right property. A joint borrower sole proprietor mortgage (JBSP) can be a solution. It allows another person (often a parent) to boost the application without being on the property deeds. What is a…

A joint mortgage allows couples, friends, or family to combine incomes and co‑own property. Everyone on the mortgage is liable for repayments. How it works Lenders assess all applicants’ incomes, credit, and commitments. Ownership can be set as joint tenants (equal shares) or tenants in common (flexible shares). Legal agreements (declarations of trust) can protect…