The Real Cost of Buying a Home

Buying a home comes with more costs than just the purchase price. In this blog, you’ll learn the difference between lender fees and mortgage fees, what’s involved in the conveyancing process, and the types of fixed legal fees you can expect. 

We’ll also explain how Attwells Solicitors can make the legal side of buying a home simple with our professional conveyancing team guiding you through the process. 

Lender and Mortgage Fees – What Are They?

The terms lender fee and mortgage fee are often used interchangeably, which can be confusing. 

Lender fee typically refers to a specific charge from the lender for arranging or processing the mortgage. It may also be called an arrangement fee, product fee, application fee, or booking fee. This fee can sometimes be paid upfront when taking out the mortgage, or it can be added to the loan amount, so it is repaid over the lifetime of the mortgage. 

Mortgage fee can refer to the lender fee, but it is a broader term that covers all fees associated with obtaining a mortgage. These may include: 

  • Lender fee – charged by the lender for arranging the mortgage. 
  • Broker fee – charged by a mortgage broker for finding a mortgage and providing advice on suitable options. 
  • Valuation fee – charged for a valuation of the property, usually required by the lender. 
  • Legal mortgage fee – charged by your conveyancer for handling the legal work related to your mortgage. 
  • CHAPS fee – charged by the lender for transferring the mortgage funds on completion. 

When taking out a mortgage, it’s important to remember that there are several fees involved beyond simply repaying the loan. Understanding these costs upfront can help you avoid unexpected expenses and plan your budget more effectively. 

If you are unsure about any fee, always ask your mortgage broker or lender for clarification. 

What is conveyancing?

Once you’ve found your ideal home and secured a mortgage, you’ll need to go through conveyancing, which is the legal process of transferring ownership from the seller to you. It involves several essential tasks, including: 

  • Checking the legal title of the property 
  • Conducting property searches (such as local authority or environmental searches) 
  • Drafting and reviewing contracts 
  • Liaising with the seller’s solicitor 
  • Managing the transfer of funds 
  • Registering your ownership with the Land Registry 

It’s a detailed process that must be handled correctly to ensure the transaction is legally binding and fully compliant. 

A few of the conveyancing fees include: 

  • Legal Fee – core cost of your solicitor’s work, e.g. handling the contracts and managing the transfer of ownership 
  • Land Registry fee – Government charge for registering you as the new legal owner of the property. 
  • Stamp Duty Land Tax – tax on property purchases in England, varies on your property price and if you are a first-time buyer. 
  • ID Verification Fee – Covers the legal requirement to verify your identity for anti-money laundering checks. 
  • Mortgage fee – Covers the legal work relating to your lender and mortgage offer  

Why choose Attwells Solicitors?

At Attwells Solicitors, we specialise in making the conveyancing process straightforward and stress-free. We communicate in plain English, not legal jargon, so you’ll always know exactly what’s happening. We also offer flexible ways to stay in touch—whether that’s over the phone, via email, or through video calls using Zoom or Teams. Prefer to meet in person? That’s no problem either. 

And if you call before 3pm, we offer a same-day callback guarantee, so you’re never left waiting for an answer when you need one. 

Final Thoughts

Understanding the full cost of buying a property — from lender and mortgage fees to conveyancing charges — is essential for making informed decisions and avoiding financial surprises. At Attwells Solicitors, we’re committed to offering clear pricing, expert advice, and responsive service to help make your homebuying journey smooth and hassle-free.