Help to Buy Valuation in Enfield

A Help to Buy valuation is not the same as a standard mortgage valuation. The scheme has its own government rules, so the report needs to be prepared by a RICS registered valuer who knows exactly what is required. When we attend your Enfield property, we inspect both the inside and outside, measure the accommodation and take photographs for the report. We also check recent sales of similar homes in your immediate locality so we can reach an accurate market value.

Our report sets out the property's construction, condition and anything that could have a bearing on value. In Enfield, that can mean looking closely at access to transport links such as Oakwood and Cockfosters stations on the Piccadilly line, school catchment areas, and the pace of recent development in places like Meridian Water. That sort of local context matters, and it helps us produce a more reliable valuation.

Across Enfield, the housing stock is varied. You see Edwardian and Victorian terraced houses in Enfield Town and Palmers Green, post-war semi-detached properties in places such as Lower Edmonton, and a large amount of new build stock linked to the Meridian Water regeneration scheme, where thousands of new homes are being built. Our valuers understand how age, build type and specification can shift market value, and we reflect that in every assessment.

We take local environmental issues into account as well. Some parts of Enfield sit in flood risk zones close to the River Lea and the Lee Valley, and where that is relevant our reports highlight any flood risk concerns that may affect value or insurance costs. We also note nearby noise sources, including the North Circular Road and railway lines, because they can influence both value and day-to-day livability for prospective buyers.

After the inspection and research are complete, we issue the official valuation report within three to five working days. You can then use it for a remortgage, sale or equity loan request. Our reports are accepted by all major lenders and by the Help to Buy scheme administrators, which helps avoid delays caused by the paperwork.

• Internal and external property inspection
• Detailed measurement of all rooms
• Market research of comparable local sales
• Official RICS valuation report
• Flood risk assessment
• Transport link proximity analysis

If you purchased your Enfield home through the Help to Buy equity loan scheme, there comes a point when a decision has to be made. For many homeowners, the five-year stage is when they remortgage onto a standard mortgage product and use the equity they have built up to secure a favourable rate. Others decide to sell and move, while some choose to staircase, buying a larger share of the government stake so they can work towards owning the property outright.

Whatever you decide to do next, an official valuation is part of the process. It sets the current market value of the property, which in turn affects how much equity you hold and what remortgage options may be open to you. In Enfield, values have shown steady growth, especially in areas with strong transport links and newer amenities. Buyers looking for family homes with garden space have shown particular interest in places such as Winchmore Hill and Grange Park.

There are a few reasons the Enfield market can work well for homeowners who are ready to move on. Around the Edmonton Green station, the Meridian Water development is changing the area, with new shops, schools and transport improvements coming through. That regeneration is supporting values across the eastern side of the borough. At the same time, established areas such as Bush Hill Park and Winchmore Hill still draw buyers who want period homes on tree-lined streets.

We can also talk you through the points that matter most in your particular area. A property close to the Lee Valley or one of Enfield's many parks may benefit from that setting. School catchments can matter too, especially for homes linked to Highlands School, Enfield Grammar or Southgate School, which often attract premium prices. Those details all feed into our assessment of what your property is worth.

For Enfield homeowners, one issue that should not be left too late is the 1.5% increase in Help to Buy loan interest rates that begins after year five. Once that date gets closer, reviewing the options becomes more pressing. A current valuation gives you the facts you need to weigh up remortgaging, staircasing or any other route open to Help to Buy homeowners.

• Remortgage onto a standard mortgage
• Sell your property on the open market
• Staircase to increase your ownership share
• Extend your Help to Buy loan