To ask if you think there is a catch with this house?

[whereismormonjesus]

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/57341298?search_identifier=ee83ceb5222b41500122e9029c5cd8bd

Basically that. A young (talking uni age) relative with 30k saved up for a house deposit has seen it and thinks it’s the lucky jackpot.

Troll's a bit harsh! Just kidding.

I wouldn't be impressed if my family increased online traffic to a house I want to buy.

My first thought was what is behind those ominous looking railings? From the map it also looks to be close to a railway line.

Has your nephew gone to Bradford to look at the area? It has to be worth a drive to get a real feel for the area.

He should also research how other properties in the area are selling.

Personally, I think it's very cramped and some of the rooms are quite dark.

Agree that area seems a dump. House is small and weirdly laid out. Though it is a single 20 year old man intending to move in and keep it for the investment, not a young family.

I can sort of see why he was taken in by it, it looks quite wide from the first picture and not like the typical 2 up 2 down. Except it is, just that the kitchen is off to the side rather than behind the living room in a typical terrace. The porch does it favours as well.

Has hr scrolled through all the 'property details'?

"The price given is a marketing price and not an indication of the property's market value."

@Thatsmycupoftea it's fine I've got to go and work now anyway!

Front door opens into the living room which I wouldn't like. Living room looks pretty large, three sofas, but you would need somewhere to sit and eat a meal too. And why is there a range cooker in that tiny kitchen?

I sold a similar cheap small house in a not great area, no one wanted to live there so I sold it to the Mumsnet antiChrist, a buy to let landlord. Maybe he can live there, save a new deposit then let it out and buy a new place to live.

I only looked at the photos but my thoughts are:

1. What is next door and behind (where the railings are).
2. I think the 'porch' is a wasted area which seems to be used like a tiny conservatory. Is someone really going to sit in there at the front of a house?
3. Bedrooms are all big enough for a double bed but that looks like all that is in them. Is there room for wardrobes?
4. Is that some sort of plastic sheeting covering the bathroom floor and partly up the walls? What is that about?

There seems to be a bit of wasteland where those railings are, then next to those a basketball court and kids play area. It's had new windows and the porch put on since the streetview I can see. If you go on streetview and have a look at the area surrounding you will be able to have a general view of the area.

I can’t believe the complaints about no drive and the front door opening into the living room - that’s what you get in a small terraced house, ffs!

The map on the website is showing Bradford, a place in Manchester. The house is actually in (proper, big) Bradford in West Yorks.

Says in the description "Three generous sized bedrooms"

£30k deposit, £70k asking price means very small mortgage.
Down sides: no parking, end of terrace with noise potential.
Plus points: looks to be in good order, even if the decor isn't his taste it isn't in imminent need of doing. (I think it's the furniture that makes it look dated)
Would depend on survey results, and I'd also want to know which way it faces - as it's a back-to-back, will there ever be sunlight in the rooms?

What do you mean, taken in by it? Its not a scam......it's just a cheap house in a really rough area, priced accordingly.

I know Bradford fairly well and no, I wouldn't buy it.

It's very cramped and not an expensive area. I would be interested to know what is behind that fence and in surrounding area. A drive by or close look on Google satellite view would be wise.

I would also be conscious of how easy it will be to sell. He is young with no family, basic needs, just thrilled to be able to afford to buy anything, so he might be keen. But will he be able to find someone in his same position, equally keen, when he wants to sell it? It could be a hard sell to many people and what happens if he sees something he really wants to buy later but can't because no one wants to buy this property from him?

Gosh, they have changed that quickly! All correct now with the map.

Would not fancy having a boiler at the foot of my bed. Noisy!

I'd also want to know what goes on in that dodgy looking corridor between this one and the house next door.

@Bluetrews25

I noticed that. Yes, it’s definitely the Yorkshire Bradford. You can tell from the brick. Funnily enough the agent appears to be based in the same postcode as the Manchester Bradford. Having the entirely wrong city on the listing map doesn’t inspire much confidence for their competency

I think he’s better getting an equally shithole terrace but in the inner suburbs of Manchester or Leeds. Somewhere more likely to be gentrified I suppose.

It's near 2x A roads which I assume are busy. The rooms are tiny. I think his mum is right.

The price seems typical for the area. It's not necessarily high crime, just unfashionable.

I've lived in a north facing back to back and never noticed any issues with lack of light and it was easy to sell when the time came.

I certainly wouldn't buy it just because it's cheap, because it might not be. If it was in Burnley or Middlesborough, you could knock at least £10k off the price.

With a £30k deposit and a full time job in a nearby city, I'd look to buy there, even if it means paying a slightly higher price - if that city is Leeds or Halifax, you could get a similar house in a decent enough area for not that much more and certainly affordable.

@ElizabethofpeanutYorkies

What is next to / behind the railings?

This. Plus the bedrooms are tiny.

@mindutopia

I'd also want to know what goes on in that dodgy looking corridor between this one and the house next door.

Again, they’re par for the course in these houses. People use them to put their bins out.

If he doesn't know the area then I wouldn't buy. Bradford is very very hit and miss. It's not a "jackpot" house, it's fairly average for that area. Bradford is cheap in the main.

My advice:

• don't buy a house in an area you don't know (and preferably have lived)
• visit the property at various times of day and night.
• save more deposit and buy in Leeds.