To ask for your thoughts on this flat

[MarikaPepper]

Before I post a link, can someone tell me whether this would be a good idea?!

It's very nice. I also think it's very nicely furnished and decorated, so you need to think how it would look without all that nice stuff in it. But yes, hideously, that is what a nice 2 bed flat in a nice bit of zone 3 will cost. If the lack of outside space is a problem - is there a park nearby? Or does the house have a garden that you could come to an arrangement with your neighbours to use?

when I bought my 2 be flat in a nice bit of zone 3, I did spend quite a bit of time lurking around the road and the house beforehand, just getting a feel for the neighbourhood, and making sure that it wasn't a massive rat-run or whatever. Time spent nosing is never wasted, especially when there's this much money at stake....

It is lovely. But the bathroom is to packed the toilet is very close to the shower. The kitchen looks quite narrow. But long so that may make up for it.

Who is the freeholder / management company?

Any odd covenants or restrictions in the lease?

Do the (obviously recent) improvements come with transferable warranties?

Is it the most expensive property on the road?

I'd also second concern at noise issues. Having lived in a Victorian conversion (clearly done on the cheap) I can tell you from bitter experience that noise issues will be your biggest issue in the flat if it had not been converted properly. I'd arrange a viewing at 7.30pm/8 and see if TV noise/cooking smells are an issue. Particularly these days where wall mounted tv's are common and the sound will travel. You are in the middle of two sets of neighbours so ignore noise at your peril! Knock and meet the neighbours too. Check the management of the building and when the roof was last replaced/maintained as this will be a shared cost. I'd also compare with the look/feel/space in a similarly priced purpose built flat. Good luck!

MarikaPepper my view on houses has always been if you properly love it then buy it - if you feel it's a sensible purchase then keep looking for one you really love.

I live down the road currently and love love love the neighbourhood have friends here etc There is a fairly big garden but I think that belongs to the basement flat

Main drawbacks for me are potential noise from neighbours - also if they decide to us the garden frequently, could prove difficult... Lack of anywhere to dry clothes too

My Kent house link was actually hideous! but I'm sure you could get so much more for your money, if you move out..just a bit

Where I live you could buy this.. www.zoopla.co.uk/new-homes/details/39947213?search_identifier=d6896ee1cabc2898ac90369a9d971342
And have money left over.

Could you still earn what you do and move out of London?

Buy it! Everything you say about it shows how you love it

Worth finding out about the garden. I've never lived in a flat so not knowledgeable about noise but I'm sure most things can be sorted. I'm guessing you're a cash buyer so may be worth putting a cheeky offer in?

Hope you get it and love living there - good luck!

Thank you all

What would a cheeky offer be? I'm clueless!

It's very nice. I also think it's very nicely furnished and decorated, so you need to think how it would look without all that nice stuff in it

This was my first thought, remember you're buying the space not everything as it stands. Personally I'd be inclined to look for somewhere not quite so beautifully done but with potential so a bit cheaper

It's beautiful. My concerns would be noise as well. There is a special kind of person that lives in upstairs flats. They love to walk about all the time. Sitting and watching the tv is not for them. No, they will march up and down.
Also, sash windows. Although beautiful they can be a cold, drafty and difficult to open.

It is a lovely flat, but weirdly all I can think is how uncomfortable that sofa looks!

There's also the potential noise from the fire station further along. My mum rented along there 10 years ago so I would definitely check for double glazing! Buses go along 24 hours and there were a lot of sirens going off day and night but it depends what you're used to how much that bothers you.

Do they still hold the steam fair at the park? That was fun - in a good way! It's a lovely little park from memory.

It looks great! I would view it. I live in SW London so to me that is really quite a good price for a 2 bed flat. However I agree with previous comment re looking past the current decor (which is very nice) - does he floor plan offer the dimensions you want? Could you get a similar flat which is less well decorated for less and do it up yourself? Good luck!!

Lovely flat - but exactly the type of thing I see with noise complaints all the time! Those houses just weren't built for multiple occupation or not by different families.

So... go round at different times and listen. If it's quiet enough then yep, it's lovely!

I would take out all the furnishings (in your head) and look at whether you are actually paying for the lovely style they have created, all the books etc rather than the actual space itself.

You may well be able to find somewhere that looks less impressive but is actually the same, or bigger, sizewise for less money.

I think it's small for a 2 bed flat and I wouldn't be keen on the maintenance for a conversion or the stairs which lead to the second bedroom (depending on your child's age). The area is nice enough but public transport isn't great - some rail stations nearby but more than a mile to the nearest tube. Sometimes trains only come every half an hour so I would always choose somewhere near a good tube line in preference. We are in a 2 bed in London so I think the price is realistic, and I think Londoners aren't so bothered about gardens especially if there's a decent park, we don't find it a problem to not have a garden. The estimated energy costs are quite high though (and it will probably be an underestimate) so I expect there isn't double glazing, we pay £40 a month for our 2 bed flat but it's very modern with good double glazing.

No bath though.

How can you afford this as a first time buyer???

It's a beautiful flat

People saying it's dear and that you can get more property for your money in other areas of the country, everyone knows that but it's not really relevant is it.

I would just be wary of how much noise comes from the other flats and maybe have a couple of viewings at different times of the day.

Love it. Great area.

If you're buying it with the intention of selling at some point I'd say it's not a great investment - it's overpriced because it's well-decorated, there's no bath and it's an older property so will need work. If you're buying with the intention to stay for a long time and you love it - well, I still think it's overpriced, even for London. But it's lovely!

It's lovely. Price seems spot on for London, I'd put in an offer for £500k personally.

Buying to live there but also to sell at some point (maybe four/five years down the line) - at least will rent it. I thought it seemed a good investment - do you not think it will go up in price much then?

I want to live there with all their stuff! It's gorgeous. I'll never not be shocked by London prices, though