Selling your home in St Helens can be an exciting yet daunting process, especially when it comes to understanding all of the financial implications and complicated jargon involved.
One important thing to consider that you might not know about is stamp duty, a tax that can impact your property transaction.
Let’s delve into the details of stamp duty and help you navigate the selling process with clarity and confidence.
What is stamp duty?
Stamp duty, also known as Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), is a type of tax you have to pay if you buy a property or piece of land in England, Wales and Northern Ireland over a specific price.
You’ll only have to pay stamp duty on properties costing £250,000 or more.
However, if you’re an eligible first-time buyer, you won’t have to pay stamp duty on properties that cost up to £425,000, and you might also qualify for first-time buyer relief.
Do I need to pay stamp duty when selling my property?
The good thing about selling a home is that you’re not directly responsible for paying stamp duty. Instead, it’s the responsibility of the buyer.
However, as a seller, it’s crucial to understand how stamp duty might influence the overall transaction and what part you have to play in the process when selling your house in St Helens.
Factors that affect stamp duty
There are a range of different factors that can influence the amount of stamp duty paid during a property purchase, including:
1. Purchase price
Stamp duty is calculated based on the property’s purchase price and, as mentioned, only applies to properties over £250,000.
However, it’s important to note that higher-priced properties will incur higher stamp duty rates.
2. Property type
Different types of properties can have different stamp duty rates.
For example, commercial properties like offices, hotels and restaurants may have different stamp duty rates than a residential home in St. Helens.
Because of this, it’s important to do all your research and get lots of information from your real estate professional during the buying and selling process.
3. First-time buyers
First-time buyers may be eligible for stamp duty relief or exemptions up to a certain threshold.
Because of this, you need to make sure you’re researching and discussing with a real estate professional in St Helens who can provide tailored advice based on your specific circumstances.
Stamp duty rates for first-time buyers include:
- Up to £425,000: 0%
- £425,001 to £625,000: 5%
- £625,001 to £1,5000,000: 10%
- Above £1.5m: 12%
Stamp duty rates in St Helens:
In England and Northern Ireland, stamp duty rates are tiered, with different percentages applied to portions of the property’s value.
As of January 2022, here are the stamp duty rates for residential properties in England and Northern Ireland:
- Up to £125,000: 0%
- £125,001 to £250,000: 2% of the property value
- £250,001 to £925,000: 5% of the property value for that portion
- £925,001 to £1.5 million: 10% of that proportion of the property value
- Above £1.5 million: 12%
What you should consider as a seller
Although sellers don’t directly pay stamp duty, it’s extremely beneficial to understand the implications so you’re able to plan effectively. For instance:
- Knowledge of stamp duty rates can help you price your property competitively.
- Awareness of stamp duty relief schemes may attract more potential buyers, especially first-time buyers.
- Understanding the buyer’s stamp duty obligations can facilitate smoother negotiations during the sales process.
Let Stapleton Derby help you sell your property
By learning more about stamp duty rates and considerations with our complete guide to selling your house in St Helens, you can make informed decisions and ensure a successful property transaction.
And lucky for you, we’re here to help at Stapleton Derby!
Our team of expert estate agents in St Helens are available to help you understand the selling process with peace of mind.
If you have any questions or want to find out more from our friendly team, give us a call at 01744 88 33 22.
Or, you can book an appointment at our head office on Corporation Street.
