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Thoughts re this 2 bed- is it ex-council & overpriced?

13 replies

TurquoiseDress · 10/02/2017 12:29

We have been looking to buy in SE London on/off for a few months now.

First saw this property on RM back in September, looks like it has come back on the market recently:

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-45030825.html

We also remember one a few doors down at the end of last summer, viewed but didn't make an offer. The asking price was much less at £325k although looks like it has sold now/been taken off the market

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-55776904.html

Does the first property seem overpriced for this part of Beckenham? we don't know the area that well but are starting to get a feel for it.

Also I think they are ex-council properties as they are managed by Affinity Sutton who seem to dominate here in SE London.

Any thoughts or opinions? Not yet contacted agent re viewings as the asking price seems so high.

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JoJoSM2 · 10/02/2017 15:11

It looks spacious.

Pricewise - I just had a look on Rightmove to see what's available within 0.5.miles of Beckenham Junction station and it looks like it's the cheapest flat bar a couple of properties above shops.

It also make sense that if it's been about 8 months or so since these flats were going for 325k that now they cost 350k - that's a 7.5% increase in price - not sure what prices are doing around there but in popular parts of outer London is quite possible to have that sort of uplift...
At the end of the day, it'll boil down to what someone is willing to pay for it.

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FunkyChunk · 10/02/2017 15:15

That price seems crazy for what it is. Are you set on Beckenham? We bought our 3 bed semi in Bexley borough last year for 300k. There are definitely cheaper areas of SE London (but perhaps less desirable).

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Flipthebirdy · 10/02/2017 15:31

Does seem alot for what it is but Beckenham definitely is pricey, though a nice area.

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Kiroro · 10/02/2017 15:41

Nice lay out, about as spacious as a 2 bed flat gets, outside space. Kitchen and bathroom seem newish. Can walk to both stations. If you like the area this seems like a good un.

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Kiroro · 10/02/2017 15:45
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TurquoiseDress · 10/02/2017 16:15

Thank you for all the replies.

That RM document is really interesting!

No we're not completely set on Beckenham, there are other parts of SE London that we are looking at too.

We are still considering whether to book a viewing for the 1st property- it's just that the asking price is so high (practically £350k) and this is what I remember it was on for last September

The 2nd property, which is a few doors down, was on at the same time for £325k- we viewed it, quite liked it but found the block rather unattractive compared with other flats in the area.
But obviously location is good.

Beckenham is a lovely place, we notice that there seem to be a few clusters of (ex-) council properties- off Copers cope road and Brackley road.

I guess this is why they are quite a bit cheaper than the other flat developments you see in the surrounding roads.

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Applesauce29 · 10/02/2017 16:43

789 sq ft isn't that big, esp if planning on having kids. Do you get an allocated parking space (or is it first come first served)? Also the closest school doesn't have a good ofsted rating.

Looks like nice low rise block though, and the private outdoor space is a definite plus.

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TurquoiseDress · 10/02/2017 17:02

Yes we were thinking that about size- we already have a LO aged 2 and hopefully another in the not too distant future.

No allocated parking- seems to be adequate spaces outside the block and on the surrounding roads. The only worry is if they start bringing in parking restrictions due the train stations, but I suppose they aren't close enough, but who knows?

Yes there is a primary school close by and it seems pretty poor (by Ofsted standards) but we wouldn't rule any schools out until we actually visit.

Yes the private outdoor patio is a plus, but it also seems very overlooked and the half fence on one side doesn't look great- wonder why the vendor never got it fixed?

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JoJoSM2 · 10/02/2017 18:30

What are your top criteria? How come you've been looking for so long and haven't committed yourself to anything? In your position, I'd be moving to family accommodation near a good school. Perhaps a house in the borough of Bexley as FunkyChunk suggested? Excellent schools, green, safe, family-orientated and more affordable.

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difficultyear · 10/02/2017 18:39

Prices have risen co sizeably in the last 6 months in that area (along with others in SE near London) so the price seems about right.

Doesn't mean you can't offer lower to start with though.
Looks like it has a nice airy feel to it.

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TurquoiseDress · 10/02/2017 18:50

I think we feel it's overpriced as we've already viewed the second property that I put the link to- that one seems to have sold now but it was end of terrace and seems more "improved" in terms of the Bath/shower room.

The price also seems v ambitious for an ex-council property.

We have been looking at different areas, so have done lots of viewings in various places. Also DH got promoted last autumn so that has helped.

We did have our offer accepted last month but we got gazumped!

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JoJoSM2 · 10/02/2017 19:06

Oh... Being gazumped is rubbish... good luck with the search.

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TurquoiseDress · 10/02/2017 20:08

Yes it's totally rubbish!

We lost several hundred pounds for the valuation/survey

So it's made us a bit twitchy & reluctant to move on something unless it seems completely right.

We are also having the dilemma of going for a 2 bed somewhere like Beckenham or go further out for more rooms/space/better value etc

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