The deposit and the asking price grab all the attention, but moving home comes with a string of other costs that can add up to a surprising sum. In a high-priced market like Cambridge, some of them — stamp duty in particular — bite harder than they would elsewhere. Going in with a clear, realistic budget means no nasty surprises halfway through. Here is what to plan for.
For most buyers, Stamp Duty Land Tax is the single largest additional cost. What you pay depends on the price and your circumstances, and because Cambridge prices sit well above the national average, local buyers often face a bigger bill than someone buying in a cheaper region. First-time buyers get relief — nothing up to £300,000 and 5% between £300,000 and £500,000 — but many Cambridge homes exceed those thresholds, and home-movers and additional-property buyers pay more again. You can check the exact figures on the gov.uk Stamp Duty page before you commit.
You will need a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to handle the legal side of the purchase, and their fees come with a set of disbursements on top — local authority searches, Land Registry fees and bank transfer charges among them. Costs vary, so it is worth getting a few quotes and checking exactly what is included. A good conveyancer who keeps things moving is worth their fee, particularly in a chain where delays can cost you the sale.
It is tempting to skip a survey to save money, but understanding a property’s true condition before you commit can save you far more than it costs. Survey options range from a basic condition report to a fuller building survey for older or unusual homes — and Cambridge has plenty of period properties where the fuller option makes sense. Our guide to which home survey you need explains the choices. On the mortgage side, factor in any arrangement or product fee, and a valuation fee if your lender charges one.
Then there is the practical business of moving. Removal costs depend on how much you are shifting and how far, and booking early — especially around the busy summer and end-of-month periods — usually gets you a better rate. Add in the smaller extras that are easy to forget: redirecting your post, updating your details, any new furniture or white goods, and the first round of bills at the new address. Individually they are minor; together they add up.
Sellers have their own costs to plan for. Estate agent fees are the main one, usually charged as a percentage of the sale price, along with your own legal fees and, if you do not already have one, an Energy Performance Certificate. If you are both selling and buying, you are carrying both sets of costs at once, so a clear combined budget really helps. Our step-by-step guide to selling a house in Cambridge walks through the process and where the costs fall.
Moving is rarely just the price on the listing: stamp duty, legal and survey fees, mortgage costs, removals and the smaller extras all add up, and in Cambridge the figures run higher than in much of the country. Budget for them from the start — and build in a contingency — and the whole move feels far less stressful. The impartial MoneyHelper service has useful calculators, and if you are buying or selling in Cambridge our team is happy to talk you through the likely costs — call 01223 323 130 or get in touch.
Beyond the deposit and purchase price, expect stamp duty, legal and conveyancing fees, a survey, any mortgage arrangement and valuation fees, and removals. Sellers also pay estate agent fees and their own legal costs. Smaller extras like post redirection and new bills add up too.
It depends on the price and your circumstances. First-time buyers pay nothing up to £300,000 and 5% between £300,000 and £500,000, while home-movers and additional-property buyers pay more. Because Cambridge prices are high, many buyers face a meaningful bill — check the gov.uk calculator for your exact figure.
In most cases, yes. A survey helps you understand a property’s true condition before you commit, and can save you far more than it costs — especially with Cambridge’s many older and period homes, where a fuller building survey is often worthwhile.
