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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What do you think about this flat?

333 replies

helpmedecideplease · 15/04/2017 14:14

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-44509686.html

OP posts:
limitedperiodonly · 15/04/2017 15:47

How much time will you be spending in the flat as opposed to enjoying the amenities, OP?

There's a similar parade of shops with flats above on a main road near me. It has reasonably heavy traffic but the worst noise is from two busy pubs. They're not terribly raucous but there's only so much the landlords can do.

I don't know what it's like where you are but in the road I'm thinking of, the noise wouldn't bother anyone who wanted to go to bed after midnight. After then, it's pretty much dead. I think even if you wanted to sleep before then, you'd probably get used to it unless you were particularly sensitive. The worst thing is the Tesco Metro which I guess gets deliveries from 6am.

I'm two streets away. It's like the grave where I am.

limitedperiodonly · 15/04/2017 15:48

Oh wow, that is an eye watering price tag for a flat. Although I appreciate it's because you're in London.

Quite

SpreadYourHappiness · 15/04/2017 15:48

I really like it. I think the price is ridiculous, but that's London for you.

Original poster
helpmedecideplease · 15/04/2017 15:48

It's not really so much that I like living in London (I do though), it's that I'm here for work. On 30k as a new graduate with the potential to hopefully get to 60k+ in a couple of years conditional on professional exams being passed and things working out... That's not really a salary I could get elsewhere atm and it makes sense to try and buy rather than "waste" on rent surely?

OP posts:
Penfold007 · 15/04/2017 15:49

It's a good spacious flat that seems to have plenty of light. Has the advantage of being in a great position for the bus and tube but parking will be a nightmare and there will be a fair bit of noise. ExLA makes me cautious, find out how many flats are no longer LA/HA owned and how much ground rent, service charges and maintenance charges are, they can be astronomical.

TinfoilHattie · 15/04/2017 15:49

£540k cheap for a flat above a shop - London is a parallel universe.

Original poster
helpmedecideplease · 15/04/2017 15:50

I would be spending quite a lot of time out and would look into double glazing if I got the flat.

Sorry if the above sounded snippy but unfortunately that is the London property market Sad It's not great but it's standard i think these days and I'm trying to be sensible.

OP posts:
TinklyLittleLaugh · 15/04/2017 15:51

Wow, can you get that much mortgage on 30k salary (assuming your sibling is on similar). No wonder house prices are crazy, that's quite shocking.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 15/04/2017 15:53

I think the flat is quite nice, by the way, and the location is great.

limitedperiodonly · 15/04/2017 15:54

if that location is your priority and you can afford it then it is the right place for you.

Umm, yeah. That is a good point. Because nobody who's ever bought or rented a place to live has ever thought of that.

Why the fuck do people from outside London come on these threads with comments like this? What are you hoping to achieve?

Original poster
helpmedecideplease · 15/04/2017 15:57

No I can't Tinkly - that was I believe how the financial crisis was caused! I dont really want to go into details about how we can afford it if that's ok Smile

OP posts:
INeedNewShoes · 15/04/2017 15:57

It looks pretty good to me, and good value too.

97 years on the lease is fine for now but you wouldn't want to be selling on once the lease has fallen below 90 years as it will be too off-putting to buyers.

The thing the flat really has going for it is that it looks lovely and light. Obviously the location is great too in terms of transport and amenities!

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 15/04/2017 15:59

Kentish Town above shops? I think you can get more for your money in London.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 15/04/2017 16:03

Sorry help I assume you have a big deposit then.

Do you have any comparators you are considering? I love a good property thread, even though I live in deepest Lancashire and am therefore deemed unworthy by Limited to put my two pennorth in.

RandomMess · 15/04/2017 16:04

Who is responsible for maintenance for the outside and is it being done?

SillySongsWithLarry · 15/04/2017 16:05

The flat looks great, the location is great and the lease length is fine. I live in a flat above shops and it's great. The flat is a lot bigger than others because shops have bigger square footage than regular houses, and they are cheaper because people prefer not to have them. The lease is only a worry at 80 years because that's when marriage value kicks in. There is plenty of time before that is a concern.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 15/04/2017 16:08

I think it might be rather nice to live above a library. Our local one has lots of interesting stuff going on. Mind you, many libraries have closed in our area.

oldestmumaintheworld · 15/04/2017 16:09

I think there are better flats in Kentish Town for £540k. If you don't need to rent out a room then I'd go for a better 2 bed which will retain its value and be easier to sell when the time comes. I suspect that the reason it hasn't sold is because there are so many few BTL investors looking and they want 3 bedrooms.

skerrywind · 15/04/2017 16:09

Cheap? OMG!!

For a crap flat above shops?

I live is a huge 5 bedroomed semi with garden 20 minutes from the centre of the capital.

Cost me £200K two years ago.

Original poster
helpmedecideplease · 15/04/2017 16:10

Aw no Tinkly I hugely appreciate the help!

This is the only comparator for now m.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/43308802?search_identifier=409ea1fba4c0077fa5d72ee98cd728a6 - love it but transport links not so good unfortunately...

OP posts:
DelinquencyMatters · 15/04/2017 16:12

That one is lovely! But if transport links are bad I wouldn't buy it. How bad are they?

TizzyDongue · 15/04/2017 16:12

Looks decent sized and shaped rooms - bar the third bedroom.

What floor is it on? Am I being dense not figuring that out?!

Screwinthetuna · 15/04/2017 16:16

I think it's bloody insane that you would pay that just to live in that area when you can get a magnificent house in a good area up north.
I'd buy that if it was going for 30k.

Sorry Blush

BlueChairs · 15/04/2017 16:18

That's so cheap for a 3 bed !! Looks nice.

TizzyDongue · 15/04/2017 16:19

The OP would probably have to spend a fair bit on commuting if she bought up north though. Swings and roundabouts, and all that.