Reasons for a house on the market to be suspiciously cheap(ish)

[Pookythebear]

Just that really. We are not really in the market to move right now, but always keep our eyes open for anything that might pop up in a few areas that we like, as its always an option for the future. How I missed it before I don’t know, but my dream property (rural, detached, period) loomed up on rightmove yesterday.

But for this area (SE England) it’s about £100k less than Id expect it to be. It is rural and is about 10miles from nearest train station - but that doesn’t tend to put estate agents off asking the most they can. I spoke to the estate agent this morning who describes it as well presented. It’s been on the market for a year with lots of viewings and only one offer which fell through. My suspicions are aroused and I guess until we view it ourselves we won’t know but does anyone know the usual reasons...?

TIA

It's haunted. Also, I can't decide if the place name is really terrible, or so bad it's become cool!

They're desperate to sell. The rooms look small.

It's pretty close to very cheap and not that desirable Haverhill. It's not that near the nice bits (apologies to anyone who lives in the area)

What sort of heating does the property have? Other than a wood-burner there's no mention in the listing. If it is oil, then that can prove expensive.

Is it mains drainage or is there a cesspit, which could be ancient and need replacing?

www.morrisarmitage.co.uk/documents/property_details_5302.pdf

Other pictures here I think. Looks quite small on this link. Right against road too - is it a busy road?

Although it has quite a few bedrooms, really, it would probably only appeal to families looking for a three bed, given that one of the bedrooms is accessed via another, and the annex is separate. The kitchen is also not big enough for a family to eat in.

Basically, it's a lovely property but they probably need a quick sale and it wouldn't necessarily tick all the boxes for a modern family.

But I agree with the other posters saying to look very carefully at the location and surroundings - it looks quite isolated, which could be both an attraction and a drawback.

Hellions Bumstead is an incredibly cool name of a place!

It says there’s loads of parking

I think there’s definitely more to this property than meets the eye, that’s for sure. Am so curious to see it!

Also wondering about random annexe tennant/ghost/double murder etc (no one lives around there to hear the screams

I would go and look at it! I know the area, some lovely villages around there.

As for why it's so cheap ... well, the things that would put me off are 1. it's not that big (139 sqm INCLUDING the annex) so the rooms would be very small 2. the kitchen and bathrooms look dated. Useable, but dated. 3. The annex looks like a bit of a fibro monstrosity, I reckon it'd be cold. 4. Unlisted but that old - there are some advantages to that, certainly, but it means some un-sympathetic work might have been done.

I guess what I'm saying is - I can see why it would be a bit of a bargain. If it is your dream house and you're happy to do the work bit by bit, then I'd not rule it out.

It could be as the commute isn’t great for London. We’ve noticed locally prices coming down. And the market slowing. A lot of our town is now made up of people coming in from London. Sadly there’s so much development here and not enough schools, doctors. I’d definitely go and view. Probably viewed as needing some work but probably fair given this bit of the country. Haverhill prices have also risen quite a lot.

Thanks you lovely lot. We will go and see it from the road this weekend and book a viewing if it’s still looking good.

Really useful and thoughtful replies.

Have you asked the agent why the previous sale fell through? Could be something disastrous picked up on a survey. I'd ask them straight why it is priced so cheap!

Are you stepping onto the staircase from the bedroom. pic 11? If so, it doesn't look very safe 😬

I love a bit long nosing! Can't see anything untoward from google earth but it does look like a thin strip plot up against the road.

Definitely worth a viewing and look online for local development plans, and flood risks. Do not rely on anything the EA says! Worth doing your own homework online which is easy to do before you get to the point of paying a solicitor to do the same.

Long nosing! Good grief! Should have said 'of nosing'!!

I grew up about 5 miles from there so I'd put money on it not having mains gas and having a cesspit. But that's the price you pay for being in a very rural (for SE England) area - it really is the middle of nowhere. As other people have said, Haverhill is a bit grim, and you have to go to Cambridge, Colchester or Chelmsford for big shops. But if you want rural, it certainly is that! I did wonder if the school catchment was an issue, but it's not - it's for Hedingham School which is fine - Ofsted 'good' (also my old school!). So my guess is it's a combination of the rural location and the layout issues. Possibly it's an acrimonious divorce sale and they can't agree on a price.

It says "guide price". Is it being sold by auction? If so they price low to get your interest but hope it'll go higher.

there is a lovely house or was situated right in the middle of fields on a country lane near me, 5 of the fields were sold to developers a few years back and the house has gradually been eaten, this year they have ended up building right round his house then a new school was added right on the property boundry. He is surrounded, its on a hill so he is overlooked really badly from every angle and on top of that he has the school to deal with. I feel really sorry for him, its a lovely old house, i bet hes lost loads of money.

Please come back and say what you think!

If nothing more sinister I think it’s a combination of proximity to road, kitchen layout and the upstairs bedrooms as pp said the third bedroom is v.small and the 4th bedroom being off the 1st would put a lot of people off. I also think people might not like that garden structure - it’s a bit of an eye sore.

is this near it, the houses near me were originally just one development, over the past 5 years 5 seperate developments have been built, there are hardly any of the fields left, its scary how fast the whole area which were fields have been changed into one huge estate consisting of 5 different developments with each development looking different, bigger and more modern than the last one. The newest one is all pale bricks and huge grey windows, the first one was town houses

www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/haverhill-north-west-wratting-homes-13292086

really dig in and look at planning permission, even if it doesn't look close they could extend and end up right on top of the house

oops wrong link, but have a look

I definitely will come back on this thread and report! Thanks!

www.braintree.gov.uk/downloads/file/4356/map_37_helions_bumpstead

Picture 5 left hand side where ceiling joins the slope and where slope joins the wall. Large cracks - full structural survey needed.

Pic 11 as pp said, check access to staircase.

Pic 12 the exposed beams on the flat part of the ceiling don't marry up with the ones on the sloping sides, some creative "distressing" gone on there.

It's basically a 2 bed. Practically speaking the "bed 4" would be better made into an ensuite and dressing room. "bed 3" is tiny and it looks as though the access to the bathroom from beds 2 and 3 involves several steps, not amazing if there are small children.

The annexe has been used by an elderly relative I think, but on the floorplan it shows the shower room directly off the kitchen. Long time since I looked at Building Regs but when I did it was essential there were two doors between any room with a toilet and a kitchen. This would need investigating. Could you consider letting it as a bedsit or holiday cottage for income?

Do visit at peak travel times to hear any road noise.

On 29 Jun 2012, it was sold for £357,500 so from 2012 to present, wehat price increase would you expect it to have achieved?