Thoughts on this Balham flat?

[GoingDicey]

Hi all — just looking for a second opinion on a flat we’re seriously considering and wanted to get views on pricing. It’s off a main road but the flat itself is entirely at the back of the house so very quiet. I’ve tried to run comps for similar flats but really tough to gauge pricing.

LINK EDITED OUT BY MNHQ AT OP'S REQUEST

I looked again and there is a door out on to balcony from kitchen living room and the two bedrooms!

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/52210165?search_identifier=1281ec767e22be4da68527d8b45a5ace

This is the correct link. The other poster was just trying to show a comp, I think.

Ha, the link in the first post is a different flat to the live link further down.

That’s a nicer flat in the 2nd link but I still think it’s toppy.

I used to live very near Balham. It was shithole when I lived there. I know it's all coffee-shopped up now but can't quite believe that a 2 bed flat is worth more than my large 4 bed house in a nice Sussex village within commuting distance of London. Fuck me.

It's lovely and Balham is a great area. I agree to negotiate hard.

Hmm, I'm not a fan of open plan myself unless it's a warehouse.

Prefer this, but it's further from the tube.
www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/51909066?search_identifier=5242542b109f7c4ba485709241f4a847

or this
www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/51877773?search_identifier=5242542b109f7c4ba485709241f4a847

and there are others of the same ilk.

It’s not open plan. There are doors between the kitchen and living room.

Sorry, i've been looking at the wrong flat. I like the one you linked to, and like that it's on 2 levels. It does seem a bit expensive given that there's no garden though.

Balham is nice area but it’s expensive.
Not as expensive as Clapham Common, but still quite pricey.
But basically the route from Clapham Common, past Balham, then on to Tooting Bec, then Streatham, then Norbury and so on.. the further away you get from Clapham Common the more value for money you can buy in a house.
If I were you unless your mind is totally set on being in Balham, I'd consider justfurther down towards roads near streatham Common which isn’t far from Tooting Bec or Balham, one can pick up a terrace house with garden there much cheaper.

I've seen decent two bedrooms with big gardens for 360-400k and much nicer houses for 400-600k.
Those areas.

I like it; it's got a lot of London bonuses ( near tube and underground parkign - v v strong selling points). However, for that price I would want a separate kitchen even if it was very small. In effect your kitchen and living room are one space whcih for £600k is a bit steep IMO.

Nice to have fitted wardrobes too. Are you thinking of starting a family OP, are schools a factor?

It does have a separate kitchen. But I can’t see any fitted wardrobes. There’s no underground parking.

Ps most of streatham also comes under wandsworth, so council tax low and lots of off street parking in that area.

I know the area really well & think that's hugely overpriced given how shaky the market is at the moment. If you were saying 10 years not 5 it might be different. No outdoor space, those conversions are noisy & the attics are boiling in summer/freezing in winter (a family member owns one. A few of the houses on that road are halfway houses for problem people too so it's not always that nice/quiet, especially at night.

Although personal, I also think the decor is horribly dated. The kitchen units & bathroom in particular. I'd keep searching!

Gosh, I think the kitchen is really nice, and the bathroom.

If you’ve got that to spend, I wouldn’t buy a flat that only faces one way

I face southwest and it’s like being slow roasted in an average summer.

If I had the option I’d want the flat to face both ways to escape noise and sun when needed.

It looks really lovely!

Oh dear I think a lot of people are commenting on the other link! The OP is looking at a Victorian conversion flat on Bedford Hill not the Blueprint building posted earlier.

OP it’s a nice flat but limited in who it will appeal to on resale given upper floors and lack of outdoor space, ie most people with pets or children or anticipating children will not want it, and not good for downsizing either as it’s top floors. Also you will boil/freeze in attic rooms unless there is brilliant modern insulation (unlikely). It’s a nice area and will be quiet except when the sirens come whizzing down Bedford Hill! I can’t comment on price as don’t know the flat market at the moment.

What’s your situation - do you have DC? will you soon? Couple/sharers?

Oh I prefer the right one OP!

I think its a nice looking flat.
Do you get a parking space? Can you add a small lockable outdoor storage on parking space for say bike, or kids scooters etc if needed in future?
The one thing that puts me off slightly is there is no additional storage space such as a hallway cupboard for hoover, mop, ironing board, coats and similar.

Poky.