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Original poster

Corner plot with a pond

21 replies

Ellie2015 · 15/12/2019 17:59

Hello, I am a first time buyer. Our eyes are fixed on a house 1950s built which is a corner plot and has a pond in the garden which has not been attended to for many months after demise of the elderly owner. Normally the properties in the area (Springfield Chelmsford) go very quickly but somehow this property is still in the market for last 2 months. Asking price is over 500K. I wonder if it’s anywhere linked with the property being a corner plot next to a road (actually a bit far from actual road but is next to a side road) or the unattended pond/garden. The house itself has not been renovated since a long time.any insight into this would be much appreciated x

OP posts:
Africa2go · 15/12/2019 19:07

Here you would struggle to get planning permission for a double storey extension if the extension means the property is closer to the road. Could that be it?

anxioussue · 15/12/2019 19:30

If it's the one I think then a sofa in the back garden and no internal pictures is off putting plus there are a lot of nicer new builds near by .

AlanThePig · 15/12/2019 23:08

Could be the pond? I have a natural pond in my garden, about 120ft wide. When the house came up for sale initially there was no interest at all and the last owner rented it out instead. We had to contact them directly to buy it.

I find there is a good 50/50 mix of people who'd love it or be put off by it.

mumsy27 · 16/12/2019 02:41

or a probate property

wowfudge · 16/12/2019 05:38

I think the OP means this one. Possibly waiting for probate is putting people off. Have any offers been made on it, do you know? It needs a lot of updating.

wowfudge · 16/12/2019 05:40

Visit at different times of the day, weekdays and evenings to see if there's an issue related to the side access road, etc.

runabath · 16/12/2019 05:45

I love a good project, the potential is huge but it will sink quite a few £ to get it looking smart.

PlumsGalore · 16/12/2019 05:52

I. Ant see either the pond or a corner plot putting people off if the price is right. I filled a pond in when we moved to our house as DC were tiny at the time.

I did find four fish at the bottom that were fit and well and hadn’t been fed for six months that we had to rehome.

anxioussue · 16/12/2019 06:53

I love it, go for it op. Change the cupboard doors in the kitchen and it'll be good.

anxioussue · 16/12/2019 06:55

It could be the lack of ofsted reports and the way the schools are all new academies

Dinosauraddict · 16/12/2019 07:18

A lot of people with young families are put off open ponds due to the safety aspect. As long as the roads aren't loud/busy a corner plot normally gives you more space and is seen as an advantage. If it's the one PP kindly linked above then it needs a lot of work/modernisation, and yes one of my first questions would be have they actually got probate yet - people would be cautious about sitting in a chain with a probate property particularly with the 2019 probate delays although these are now being fixed.

Original poster
Ellie2015 · 16/12/2019 09:37

Wow can’t believe you actually got it right wowfudge! Seems like some of you who have responded are local.

We are not too bothered about the pond. If we have it, we will probably fill it in. **PlumsGalore how much did it cost you?

I have to say I was told probate was sorted so I didn’t enquire much further. Should I be asking some leading questions on this?

Being able to see the actual property now, do you still think double story extension might be an issue? Or do you still see any other potential issues?

I am not sure they have any offers yet but properties in this hot spot goes quickly and this staying in for 2 months makes us nervous pitching it, any advice would be gratefully received. Thank you all xxxx

OP posts:
Her0utdoors · 16/12/2019 09:49

I'd love to find somewhere like that in a couple of years when we plan to move. It's potentially going to need a pile of cash spending on though, from the decor I'd assume it will need at least some rewiring plus updating the heating and hot water system. If it's part of a deceased estate it could be there are several parties who wont agree on a sale price.

flirtygirl · 16/12/2019 13:38

That is a fab house. Could be Brexit and ge has put people off. So make a move if you like it as it could be snapped up quickly.

If it was my area and budget I would absolutely go for it.

DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn · 16/12/2019 13:48

It looks like a great house to me (I don't know the area). Yes, it needs updating but it doesn't look awful insofar as it's livable.

DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn · 16/12/2019 13:50

From Street ViewI can't see why a double height side extension wouldn't nt be possible.

Inferiorbeing · 16/12/2019 14:49

I don't think it's fair to say properties in Springfield go quickly atm, ours friends just purchased on waveney drive and it was on for months! Although I would say that one looks good and I would go for it

fairislecable · 16/12/2019 15:14

We filled in a pond of that size with ericaceous compost which meant we could plant rhododendrons and azaleas.

The soil in the rest of the garden is a different type.

If you don’t want a pond it’s very easy to fill it in and replant.

Original poster
Ellie2015 · 16/12/2019 16:21

That’s fab, thank you all for your extremely helpful responses xxxxx

OP posts:
AlanThePig · 16/12/2019 16:23

Apologies, I've spoken to @Ellie2015 via PM but she couldn't see this photo so I'll leave it here :D

Corner plot with a pond
Disfordarkchocolate · 16/12/2019 16:26

I like it but loads of people will have been put off by the pond. I love the blue bathroom.

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