These people are having a laugh no?

[Pantone363]

£220000

Vaguely looking at the market but happy renting at the moment (and for the next few years if need be). But £220000?! The bathroom looks grubby and a tiny living room.

New to looking and £220000 is our max purchase, is this what we can expect for that kind of money?!

[ToomanyChristmasPresents]

I am afraid so.

[GermanHouseCat]

I viewed a one bed flat yesterday for £225,000. East London (not even a very trendy part).

[Artandco]

Where we are, that's amazing. We have been looking and those similar are £750000+ here

[Pantone363]

Artandco...where the hell do you live?! Londonish?

Think i'll stay put in my rental then!

[JoandMax]

I actually think that's pretty cheap! Too long living in and around London I think.........

[CrispyFern]

Is that your house? Is this a reverse?

[Artandco]

Yep.

Our current 1 bed flat has been valued at £660k..

[Artandco]

Oh and I think the House is nice tbh. Large garden, good kitchen diner size. Sure bathroom could do with replacing and decor updated but that's a simple change.

[Fullpleatherjacket]

Round here you could probably add another £130K or so to that...

[AnnoyedByAlfieBear]

That's not the best part of town either.

I've just had the same search in Colchester and there is a lot of rubbish out there but prices do appear to slowly be going down here.

[LaurieFairyCake]

Very cheap and a good size.

[BaronessBomburst]

I thought it was quite nice too. I'm disappointed. I clicked on your link hoping for something spectacularly bad. :(

[Pantone363]

No really not a reverse at all!

I am obviously extremely naive when it comes to house prices and what to expect for our money.

[emeline]

What's the best part of town, Annoyed? Wondering what a two bed house there is like!

[Pantone363]

Its not a bad part of town, backs on to one of the rougher parts but by no means the worst. Schools are quite good.

Good areas :-

Longridge (but again close to Greenstead big council estate, primaries not great)
Lexden (über expensive)
Highwoods (but going downhill somewhat)
St Johns road areas are fine

Mostly the outlying villages so

Wivenhoe (very arty, lots of students, lecturers)
Brightlingsea
West Bergholt
Coggeshall
Copford
Layer de la haye

Bad areas :-

White City
Greenstead
Monkwick

[goldencrowns]

Crikey that would be at least half a mil around here (SE but not London)

[monkeyfacegrace]

I liked it too. I'm disappointed. I was hoping for a shocker.

[Pantone363]

Half a mil.....but who would buy it? The deposit on that would be astronomical, the salary would have to be no idea but massive surely?

[Pantone363]

I'm sorry to disappoint you all

You can point and laugh at my naivety if you want?!

[Artandco]

Pantone - the same people who have to buy any property in London or surrounding areas.

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

Move north - you can have a castle (only a 4-bed one, but still, a castle) for £325,000.

Blenkinsopp Castle

[AnnoyedByAlfieBear]

I agree with Pantone re the good areas.

I've just sold my 2 bed in Stanway for 170,000 and bought a do-er upper in Marks Tey. It was the only way we could afford what we needed. Not really practical with a toddler and a 3 month old.

[Lweji]

It is hard for first time buyers, but not so much for those already in the property ladder if they bought one more than 15 years ago.

[RiverTam]

wouldn't buy a 2 bed flat round my way (SE London)! Tis depressing.

[MindReader]

Erm, the original house looks lovely???

Nice bit kitchen, a sitting room that could be cosy and snug, a biggish garden with room for play stuff for kids, 3 beds, back from road.

Its a perfectly nice house, but maybe you don't think it's 'worth the money'?