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Moving house guide

Cost of Buying and Selling a House

A linked move is not just a purchase and a sale. The important question is how the sale proceeds flow into the next purchase and what that means for cash and mortgage borrowing.

The linked-move calculation

1. Start with sale

Estimate sale price, current mortgage payoff, and selling costs.

2. Find sale cash

Work out what is left after mortgage redemption and seller fees.

3. Add purchase costs

Include Stamp Duty (SDLT), legal fees, searches, surveys, and mortgage costs.

4. Check borrowing

Compare available cash with the purchase price and what you want to keep back.

Why a combined calculator is useful

If you are buying and selling at the same time, separate calculators can make the move harder to understand. One calculator might show the cost of buying, while another shows the cost of selling, but neither explains what cash is left for the next purchase.

The useful joined-up view is sale price minus mortgage payoff and selling costs, then that remaining cash compared with purchase price, buying costs, moving costs, contingency, and your desired cash buffer.

This is also where deposit planning can become clearer. You may be able to use all available cash as deposit, but you may prefer a slightly larger mortgage if that leaves a safer cash pot after completion.

Trust and assumptions

This guide was last reviewed on 7 May 2026. It is for planning only and should not replace a solicitor completion statement, broker advice, lender decision, estate agent quote, or official tax guidance.

For official checks, review GOV.UK guidance for Stamp Duty Land Tax, EPCs, and tax when selling your home.

Ready to use your own figures?

Estimate your moving costs with the calculator

The guide gives the context. The calculator brings your sale price, purchase price, mortgage, fees, removals, and contingency together in one place.

Open calculator