More than 40 per cent of those had costs of more than pounds 500 - the cost of a building survey Simply replacing drains will run into the thousands. For those buying a property built after the turn of the century, the Homebuyers' survey (from pounds 250) would be adequate.*In its third quarterly review for 1997, Hamptons International reports that it has seen a marked slow-down of price increases in London with a number of price reductions in some of the more expensive areas. Everyone in an old house can find the odd crack Just fill it in, paint it over and the problem disappears. Or so I thought until we discovered our house was suffering from the dreaded RSS word.

Like a nasty disease that had been kept it check, it suddenly burst though the lashings of filler and spread its tentacles across the ceiling and walls. The structural engineer nodded like a doctor satisfied that his patient was showing all the correct symptoms. Full-blown subsidence and the only cure is underpinning. As the insurance company gears up for action it brought home to us the dangers of not getting a full structural survey. The guide, sponsored by Barclays Mortgages, is available to all readers by calling 0800 585691 Or fill in the coupon on page 4.. Is such a person really much more of a risk for a mortgage lender than an employee?"Employed people are a better risk, but it would also be fair to say some lenders do take the caution too far," Bolger says.Bank of Scotland, 0645 812812; UCB Home Loans, 0645 501 500; The Mortgage Business, 0345 253253; John Charcol, 0171 611 7000; Barclays Mortgages, contact your local branch.`The Independent `has published a free 27-page `Guide to Mortgages', written by Nic Cicutti, the paper's personal finance editor. UCB Homeloans, Nationwide Building Society's subsidiary; The Mortgage Business and Bank of Scotland are three lenders which specialise in self-certification mortgages. Some lend as much as 85 per cent of property value without demanding proof of income.Getting a mortgage through a mortgage broker, rather than shopping around yourself, is often a good idea.

"For someone who is a non-standard case, someone who knows the market could be a big asset to them," Bolger says.Jobs are not for life these days, it is often said. And in many professions, it is becoming the norm to be self-employed to some extent. Teachers and people in information technology often work on a contract basis. And regardless of whether the lender believes you will be able to repay the loan, it has the reassurance that it would - unless house prices fall by more than 25 per cent - be able to get its money back by selling the house.But the key is choosing the right lender, Bolger says. However some of those costs would be there anyway, such as the use of space in the home to run the business.So if you work for yourself, the easiest way to get a mortgage is to put up at least a quarter of the property price yourself This cuts out the need for a MIG.