Guide prices aren't always what they seem.

When looking around for a house to buy, it's only natural to assume that the guide price is an indication of true value or thereabouts. Not so, these are often set against an Estate Agent's advice and can often be brought about by debts, ambition or a chancer who wants to see if someone will pay a premium to the market with no real intention of selling. When assessing the market value of a property and carrying out research into local values or the specific history of a property, one often finds that properties are for sale at up to 30% more than their true value and on the odd occasion some are undervalued.

Buying a house is not easy, as the mixture of emotional want, need and sometimes desperation can distort objective decisions. You feel that if you save £10,000 or more you have done well but it can be a lot more. It's knowing the local market and values that really helps make the right decision and it often pays to get some assistance and advice.