"Forecasts indicate the cost of buying and moving will only continue to rise over the next five years"
The study, in collaboration with Cebr, predicts that these costs will hit £12,267 by the end of 2020. 65% of prospective home buyers are still underestimating the amount they will need to set aside.
One of the most significant moving costs to increase over the past 10 years is the fee charged by surveyors which has jumped by 53% since the end of 2006 (from £498 to £764 in 2016).
Those hoping to move in the South East have been one of the hardest hit by increases, with additional costs rising by 72% in the last 10 years (from £8,809 in 2006 to £15,114 in 2016). But London remains the most expensive place to move home with an average cost of £26,673.
The additional costs of moving home remain the highest in London and residents of the capital are the most likely to underestimate the additional costs, with prospective buyers in the city budgeting £8,838, significantly less than the £26,673 they should expect to spend.
Owen Woodley, Managing Director at Post Office Money, said: “Forecasts indicate the cost of buying and moving will only continue to rise over the next five years, even with the impact of revised stamp duty rules introduced to reduce the impact on prospective buyers’ wallets. With research indicating that 65% of these buyers have underestimated how much they should budget for these costs, careful and considered budgeting is essential at a time when they are already likely to be financially stretched.
“We are aware of the barriers people can face when they are looking to purchase their first home or move further up the ladder. Planning ahead is vital and potential homebuyers should factor in these costs early on to avoid being faced with stressful, last-minute bills. Our continued research into housing affordability has helped to inform our own offering as a provider, having recently introduced a range of 95% LTV deals that are fee free with cashback offers. These are particularly helpful for those with a smaller deposit.”
