FIRST TIME BUYERS - DON’T MISS OUT ON NOT HAVING TO PAY STAMP DUTY

The stamp duty exemption for first time buyers ends on March 24th 2012. The government decided not to extend the exemption beyond March of this year so if you are buying a property worth less than £125,000 then you will continue not to pay stamp duty on your purchase.
But if you are looking at spending between £125,000 and £250,000 and you are a first time buyer then you have a limited time left to NOT pay stamp duty on your purchase.
 

What is the council tax band on this property?

This is a popular question during viewings and we are always happy to give you that information together with details of Freehold or Leasehold and other significant information so that you have everything you need when making a decision to put in an offer.
In the current financial climate Council Tax is an important expenditure so the easiest way to check for yourself is via the link below. All you need is the postcode and/or the address that you are looking for:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/diol1/doitonline/dg_4017252
 

Moving House To Be In a Catchment Area?

Choosing a new home is now regularly linked to making sure your property is in a specific catchment area for good schools. The Coastal area is very well served as it has many excellent schools, many of which have more applicants than they have places.
Supply and demand means that properties in a catchment area of a good school can have an added value. It is therefore always important to find out as much information as possible about the local schools and the catchment areas of the property you are interested in.
Here in North Tyneside there are lots of very good schools at all levels and the best place to start is at www.northtynesidecouncil .gov.uk.
Click on Children, Schools, Families,
Then Schools and Schools Admissions
The maps of each catchment area can also be found on the above website. You can also double check by calling the Access Team with the postcode of the property you are intending to buy or sell. The number for the access team is 0191 643 8724.
Useful points
There is no feeder system – so just because your child is in a middle school, nearest to the High school of your choice, this does not mean they will automatically be given a place at the High school. Or if they are in a first school it does not mean they will “feed in” to the nearest middle school or High school even if the majority of pupils appear to do so. It is dependent firstly on where you live.
Another factor used is “Sibling Link”
This is where you already have a child at your chosen school and their brother or sister will follow. BUT remember if the brother or sister is in the sixth form Year 12 or 13 when their younger sibling starts at the High School then this advantage does NOT apply.
Timing
If you move into the catchment area after the deadline for applications thinking it will be ok for the following Sept then speak to the Access team. If you missed the deadline then there are no guarantees that you will get a place just because you are living in the catchment area. If the school has more applications than it has places then the places may well have been allocated already and you may have to send your child elsewhere.