Home Truths

Overview

The purpose of this book is to offer, in one place, enough information for you to assess your needs in the world of property thoughtfully, how to ask the right questions (and who to ask).

The authors start by considering renting, being a tenant, and then guide you through the process of getting your mortgage and buying, including financial and tax consequences. Looking ahead, they also explain the selling process.

It also looks at property investment in three forms:

• Buy-to-let.
• Buying abroad.
• Commercial property.

These areas are full of uncertainty and risk as well as opportunity and profit, but risk and uncertainty can be minimised (though not eliminated) by developing an understanding of how these specialised areas of property investment operate.

The authors also consider property issues that can arise in the later years of life such as property downsizing, equity release and inheritance tax planning.

Author Biography

Wyn Derbyshire originally trained as a research chemist, gaining a PhD from the University of Cambridge before qualifying as a lawyer. He has for many years been interested in financial history. He is writing a series of biographies of tycoons for Spiramus Press.

Bryan Pickup is a partner at the law firm SJ Berwin and the former Head of the Property Department.