FREE APPS FOR HOUSE BUYERS

Now estate agents are back, Zoopla and Rightmove are always handy, but these other apps could help you make good choices when searching for a new home:

MORTGAGE CALCULATOR UK can assist in working out your maximum budget, by checking how much a mortgage will cost you per month and what it could cost if interest rates change. You can also talk to expert mortgage advisors.

AROUNDME helps you to work out if an area has everything you need nearby, as it checks for local banks, supermarkets, parks, cafés, and hospitals, with maps and user ratings.

PLANNER 5D aids with planning a home makeover, allowing you to create, view and edit your home interiors in 2D or 3D. Input details from the floor plan, then drop and drag furniture and get “photo realistic” images of how rooms will look (IKEA Home Design does similar, if you know you want just IKEA furniture).

DOCUSIGN can manage all the paperwork involved with buying a place. If you don’t have a good printer at home, this lets you store, manage and sign important documents, and will notify you when your documents have been signed too.

QUIDCO has deals with over 4,500 retailers, so you can earn cashback by spending through the app. They include the kinds of shops you’re likely to use to furnish your new house, like Argos, Debenhams, John Lewis, Robert Dyas, eBay and Currys. You can choose to withdraw your cashback straight to your bank account, PayPal account or via a store gift card.