Shall I buy this house?

[LondonHousingAdventure]

Name changed as I've sought opinions in real life and don't want to be linked to previous posts.

Anyway, this is the house:

www.rightmove.co.uk/s6p/80172998

I think it's okay. I don't have much of an imagination so struggling to think what I'd do with it.

AlunWynsKnee

I remember something similar on a Sarah Beeny programme years ago and I couldn't see how it would work.

Ooh how did Sarah fix it?

notangelinajolie

It is a bit bleak and soulless irl unfortunately. I was hoping it was just Google, but Alas, no.

Wow that seems expensive for how small it is! Although I'm in South Wales and you can get a 4 bedroom house for under 100k, I have no idea of the property market in this area, so can't really offer any constructive advice other than things I like and dislike

It seems small and like it would get cluttered quite easily? I also don't like how the front door opens into the living room and that there doesn't seem to be a big area for eating. The bathroom seems quite small too?

I like the garden though, it looks like a nice entertaining space and play area for kids. Also, I like that it has a driveway! Is it a good location?

It looks like it's needs a freshen up and could be a nice home.

No. I wouldn’t buy it and I think you could spend time and money trying to fix and still not like it

The space is an issue.
Trying to work furniture around the rooms would be a nightmare.
For that price you could find something more space friendly.

I think the no leasehold element is your challenge. There’s gorgeous flats in budget in Surbiton... what’s the reason for your OH being so set on a freehold?

If it were a choice between not great freehold house in a not great area with little in the way of amenities vs lovely leasehold flat with better transport links from Surbiton and both Surbiton and Kingston high street in walking distance I know which way I’d go so wonder why your partner sees it differently?

Floor plan looks just like my first house except it was 2 double bedroom with good size bathroom. If you are happy with 2 bedrooms I'd go for it!

Agree re the leasehold issue - now that owners can buy the freehold it's not an issue at all any more. And Surb/Kingston are sooooo much nicer than Chess.

It is tiny and needs work. I think you would regret it as maybe difficult to resell.

What about this

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-81310175.html

can you take your partner round some flats and see how much more you get for your money? We live in a flat in a similar area. Love it, and it’s great with young kids. Much more spacious than our friends’ tiny terraces and much much cheaper too, so we’ve been able to do it up really well

Ooh it's a bit teeny for the money. I wouldn't like a washing machine in my kitchen.

Do you have to stay in that area exactly?

Also forgot to say - have you looked at cheam?

I'm not a fan.

Sutton www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-80288624.html certainly handy for the hospital!

How about Guildford? www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-61086423.html.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-60711858.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-61661241.html

This? Lease hold but gets you on the ladder

Have you looked at Carshalton? Trains go to Victoria, London Bridge and Blackfriars plus obviously nice and easy for St Helier. You get a lot more for your money than anywhere round Kingston/Surbiton.
This is on a nice little estate close to the hospital before you get into the St Helier estate and is a 10/15 min walk to the station
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-71677873.html

Hi @LondonHousingAdventure

I live in this area you are looking and you'll get a small 2 bed house or 3 bed leasehold flat/maisonette.

My brother is about to sell his maisonette but it's leasehold and some houses around here are leasehold anyway like this one

What about a long term project?

Trouble is unless your in that area and are aware of the house prices it’s really hard to comment. A house like that where I live in Leicestershire would be £150k and I’m not sure id even buy it at that price. For me the outside doesn’t have any appeal. It looks like it’s been squashed in inbetween those two houses.

I know that road. It’s not that nice and those pylons can be really noisy. The hum from them on a quiet day can drive you mad. And the barking from the kennels at the end of the road can be quite bad too.

If you have a strict budget that is under £500,000 you will alays have to make compromises.
My top budget is £250,000 so I have to make sacrifices and live in areas I can afford.
Personally I love a downstairs bathroom, I have dodgy knees and don't like trecking upstairs all day once I'm up and about.
The problem with this house is that it looks like a cheap and nasty ex rental with horrible floors and a badly planned kitchen and bathroom.
I would put nice carpets throughout and paint the whole house with good quality paint, put down some lovely rugs and just be really careful with furniture, you can get nice furniture to fit into awkward spaces.
It just needs upgrading a bit. I'd take out the teeny bath and have a really nice shower put in for starters.
Just make sure clutter is kept to a minimum.
I am a master at making tiny houses look big, my living room is smaller than this and everyone is amazed how nice it is.
I have lots of lovely wall shelving I get off etsy to keep all the clutter off the floor space and keep my shoes and sundry crap in boxes in IKEA shelving.
The other option is to move further away to a cheaper area but commuting is horrible.
I always look on pinterest for great ideas. My bathroom is tiny so I had a pocket door put in that takes up zero space and the small bedroom has a bifold door on as a space saver.
You can always get a small toilet put in upstairs without wasting a whole room.

Reasonable house and very convenient for st Helier. Area not as bad as it used to be and getting better but that's why it's the price it is I guess

London it was the end result rather than the starting position. So no fixing was done.

Oh if the price has been dropped once, then I doubt that they'd go any lower.
For me, I would hate to buy a house that if, for some reason, I needed to sell, may mean that I end up with negative equity.

Greentulips maisonette is fab. It's got more space then most new 4 bed detached houses. Great room sizes.
These rooms can have dividers up if more children come along and you are still living there as the space is so good.

That would be my choice if I was in this area and could afford it.

where.rightmove.co.uk

Try this tool on Rightmove - it suggests postcodes based on travel time and mode to up to 3 locations. Might help widen your search area.