Frist time buying half a property advice?
Frist time buying half a property advice?
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Discussion

unzippy

Original Poster:

333 posts

265 months

Thursday 16th April
quotequote all
Looking for advice regarding first time buying.
Thinking about buying the apartment that my dad and stepmum own. It is being valued this evening, I can't see it being worth more than £250k
Dad is giving me his half of the property. More than likely he will pass away this year, in fact it will be a miracle if he lasts another 6 months. Not sure how that complicates things in terms of inheritance - I see that the inheritance threshold is £325k
I'll need to raise a small mortgage for stepmum's half.
I have £20k deposit.

How do I do this without involving estate agents or spending any unnecessary money?
Is there anything I haven't thought of?

Ta.


Edited by unzippy on Thursday 16th April 10:48

Richard-D

2,113 posts

91 months

Thursday 16th April
quotequote all
You really need to speak to a solicitor with estate/probate knowledge.

They'll talk to you about ownership (joint/in common), thresholds, gifts etc. If you don't do this you could easily end up in the position of not being able to afford the inheritance tax and losing the whole property.

There is nowhere near enough information in your OP to even hazard a guess as to the best course of action.

Hustle_

26,377 posts

187 months

Thursday 16th April
quotequote all
I can't help with the practicalities of the purchase but it is worth being aware that you will lose your first time buyer perks after you have taken possession (or part possession) of this property which means you aren't eligible for LISA bonus, increased stamp duty threshold etc on your next purchase.

Basically you're probably going to want to be sure you're buying the right property and for the right reasons...

Sarnie

8,353 posts

236 months

Thursday 16th April
quotequote all
unzippy said:
Looking for advice regarding first time buying.
Thinking about buying the apartment that my dad and stepmum own. It is being valued this evening, I can't see it being worth more than £250k
Dad is giving me his half of the property. More than likely he will pass away this year, in fact it will be a miracle if he lasts another 6 months. Not sure how that complicates things in terms of inheritance - I see that the inheritance threshold is £325k
I'll need to raise a small mortgage for stepmum's half.
I have £20k deposit.

How do I do this without involving estate agents or spending any unnecessary money?
Is there anything I haven't thought of?

Ta.


Edited by unzippy on Thursday 16th April 10:48
You'll need to know how the property ownership is currently set up.

Do they own it jointly or have they already split it?

Whats your intention then? Live in it? Rent it ourt? What happens to your Step Mum?

unzippy

Original Poster:

333 posts

265 months

Thursday 16th April
quotequote all
Sarnie said:
You'll need to know how the property ownership is currently set up.

Do they own it jointly or have they already split it?

Whats your intention then? Live in it? Rent it ourt? What happens to your Step Mum?
They own it jointly, it's their rental property.

I'll live there. Stepmum will continue to live in their house.

Richard-D

2,113 posts

91 months

Thursday 16th April
quotequote all
unzippy said:
They own it jointly, it's their rental property.

I'll live there. Stepmum will continue to live in their house.
So crucially (if I've understood), not the family home?

ChrisH72

3,001 posts

79 months

Thursday 16th April
quotequote all
If they own it jointly then when your father passes away your step mum will then own it assuming they are married.

I'd say this needs proper legal advice and things putting in writing. Can't see that you'd need to use an estate agent but you will need a solicitor.

unzippy

Original Poster:

333 posts

265 months

Thursday 16th April
quotequote all
Richard-D said:
So crucially (if I've understood), not the family home?
Correct.

unzippy

Original Poster:

333 posts

265 months

Thursday 16th April
quotequote all
ChrisH72 said:
If they own it jointly then when your father passes away your step mum will then own it assuming they are married.

I'd say this needs proper legal advice and things putting in writing. Can't see that you'd need to use an estate agent but you will need a solicitor.
Yes, looking that way. Cheers.


Nicetobenice

963 posts

5 months

Thursday 16th April
quotequote all
unzippy said:
Correct.
If it's owned jointly then you need to buy all of it off them.

They can apply the discount and you just need to explain that to the mortgage provider
A good broker should be able to help you.

Panamax

9,062 posts

61 months

Friday 17th April
quotequote all
unzippy said:
Richard-D said:
So crucially (if I've understood), not the family home?
Correct.
Then in the context of what you've set out it sounds a pretty shaky plan.

Why?

Because as a second property (not main residence) there will be a potential Capital Gains Tax (CGT) charge on the disposal(s). CGT rate of tax is 18% to 24% on the gain.

Because when somebody dies a different tax regime applies with potentially Inheritance Tax (IHT) payable. Where IHT is charged the flat rate is 40%.

Because on death there is no CGT. I repeat, no CGT on death.

Because a lifetime gift made shortly before death has for practical purposes no IHT advantage over a gift made by Will at death.

IMO it looks as though the family would be well advised to see a solicitor for comprehensive tax and Wills advice. It would be unfortunate to end up paying more tax than you need to.