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Original poster

looking in Cambridge to buy

45 replies

goldenpeach · 15/06/2009 17:08

We are looking in Cambridge and noticed that there are very few properties on the market compared to other locations... Any reasons? Would leafleting houses help?

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Claire2301 · 19/06/2009 21:15

More expensive than I thought... Pembroke Cottage

Original poster
goldenpeach · 19/06/2009 21:39

thanks claire... pricey! It's very pretty though.

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Claire2301 · 19/06/2009 21:41

Very pricey- was not expecting that at all!

ELongstocking · 23/06/2009 12:10

Hi there goldpeach

We had our house (in Castle Hill area) valued this week, and were shocked by how confident all the agents were. Apparently central Cambridge properties (especially Victorian terraces) are not fitting the national picture, and are going quickly with (as you have discovered) lots of gazumping etc. going on.

Have you phoned any of the agents for a chat about areas and prices? We are also wanting to move to a completely new part of the country and have found this really helpful. Alternatively, if you personal message me I will give you my phone number and will be happy to chat.

In essence: prices vary massively in the centre e.g. the same house in Newnham could be £100 000 more than one up Mill Road. Outside of the centre, in general the further out and more modern you go the less the price. But I am sure you've learnt all of this now. (Sorry I know nothing about the villages)

Unfortunately for you in the centre of town 4 beds are at a premium. Would you consider buying a 3 bed and extending (e.g. going up in the loft)? I know a really good local builder I could put you in touch with.

Good luck!

Acinonyx · 25/06/2009 17:18

Would you consider cycling or park & cycling from one of the villages? We moved out of the city last year froma 3BR to 4BR in a village to the SE. Prices in the villages are about 75% of town and they are bigger.

We couldn't afford the size of house in a catchment area for a good enough school in town. I do miss being able to just cycle in though - it's just a bit too far.

OMDB - that riverside development is very nice!

Original poster
goldenpeach · 25/06/2009 19:44

The house we lost was over two miles station so I would have cycled in. It was near a village. If I can cycle, I don't mind.

Longstocking or anybody else, you can email me on [email protected]

will respond with my proper email then.

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coolma · 27/06/2009 21:41

We live in the SOuth of the city - off Perne Road and i have been very despondant about house prices. However, as had been said it does seem that cambridge houses are keeping their values, and houses in our road go within minutes! Love my house though!! Sorry that really wasn't any help at all was it

Qally · 27/06/2009 21:55

We had 30 viewings in a week and 7 offers, all at asking price. Two were cash (investors). Having said that, next door sold/bought for £50,000 more in July 2007, so prices have dropped some, and the reason we had so much interest was we're bang against stamp duty - the house is really worth more, apparently, but not once a new bracket of tax is added on.

We have a Victorian 2 bed off Mill Road, close to the station. They're holding value well, because there's almost nothing of those coming on the market.

Qally · 27/06/2009 21:56

Jumpjockey - we're Romsey Town too!

Original poster
goldenpeach · 29/06/2009 22:16

Qually, are you buying again in Cambridge? I think the small amount of properties up for sale is making the prices so high and people are prepared to pay asking prices. I'm wondering if people are holding on. If lots of properties turn up, prices are bound to drop. That's what happening in several areas of London.

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Qally · 30/06/2009 03:54

No, we aren't, we're moving elsewhere, and actually we aren't planning to buy for at least 6 months and probably a year. I think prices are being artificially supported by lack of supply as you say, but also the interest rates being unsustainably low is preventing a lot of forced sales. I can't see that the economic horror can vanish overnight like this, and I'm worrying about major falls once people hanging on by their fingernails really start to slide - especially if the Tories get in, as seems almost certain, and a lot of financial buffers are removed (tax credits etc). If we hadn't anticipated that we would have rented our place out, as long term it's a good investment, but we just can't afford to buy elsewhere if we got into negative equity. At this point, we have a fair chunk towards a new place in 2010.

ELongstocking · 01/07/2009 17:22

Qally - what agent are/ were you with? Blimey you've been busy.

Qally · 01/07/2009 17:49

Actually we went away for the week and let the agent do it all! Bush & Co. They sent us an excel spreadsheet when it first went on the market, showing the near 300 people they emailed details through to, then a week later sent another with the 30 viewings, complete with detailed feedback from each viewer and offers, where made. We knew they were ace though as we bought through them originally - most agents never contacted us to tell us when stuff went on, and we were 1st time buyers with money in place. Bush mailed the minute anything appropriate went on and always chased us for feedback after viewings. Haart, on the other hand, first made contact via text message, six months after we'd bought.

Only problem with Bush is they're very locally focused on the areas off Mill Road.

Original poster
goldenpeach · 03/07/2009 19:55

Thanks for reply so far and to the mumsnetter who emailed me. Still looking. A detached four bed has come up on the market at less than 300K and I was quite enthusiastic as it seemed reasonably priced (garden a good size, garage), then my DP did a bit of research and found out that when they built it they didn't follow the planning consent's regulations - this being a conservation area it seems a bit worrying. So back looking, but it pays to research.

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Original poster
goldenpeach · 05/09/2009 22:07

Any more suggestions?

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gizmo · 07/09/2009 17:23

Hi Goldenpeach,

Always happy to play Phil and Kirsty although I have neither Phil's wheeler dealer credentials nor Kirsty's dress sense

I'm sure you will have seen this because it has been on the market all summer. It only has 3 beds at present, a small (30 ft), terraced garden and it needs a bit of TLC, but the reason I suggest you might want to look at it is that it is in an excellent location and almost certainly has a very convertible attic. It's on the edge of two good school catchments (St Lukes or you can make your case for Park Street) and 10 minutes to the centre of town.

Alternatively, depending on how much you like period charm in your home, there is this house in Metcalfe Road which has 4 bedrooms and a massive garden for £350k and is in good school catchments. Some friends of mine live over the road and it seems like a nice area.

Hope that helps - now we're coming up to September there might be some new stock coming on the market with any luck. Are you renting in Cambridge at the moment or having to do your search from far off?

Original poster
goldenpeach · 09/09/2009 19:49

Thanks a lot, have emailed those properties to DP. We live in Rugby so that's why I'm cautious as it's a long drive and we want to view something suitable. Still time is running out and we might have to rent if all fails - again....

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thegrowlygus · 17/09/2009 21:36

Oooh both of those have sold now - did you buy one goldenpeach?!

Original poster
goldenpeach · 21/09/2009 15:21

No, unfortunately they were not suitable. Still looking but time is running out and we will end up in rental!

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Original poster
goldenpeach · 25/11/2009 16:15

We are in rental in Cambridge but are still looking to buy...

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