St Mary Cray

[Anitai]

I’m hoping someone familiar with the Sidcup/Orpington/ Bexley area could advise if St Mary Cray is a safe, pleasant area for an interracial couple to buy their first home? We’re both in our early 30s and have rather low budget of £310k.

We both commute into Central London on a daily basis and would need a journey that’s under an hour. We’ve come across a 2 bed in St Mary Cray but aren’t familiar with the area. Is it a safe bet? or are there any other areas we should consider on our budget. I’m really hoping someone can help!

@TaleOfTheContinents Thanks to the helpful comments here and further independent research we have removed all of the Crays from our list. We quite like what we have seen of Sidcup so far, although some roads are much nicer than others.

I’m sorry the property was so awful, the pictures made it look like a project but not that bad.

Good luck in your search, please keep us posted (I love a Rightmove browse 🙂)

Nope.No way. The one poster who stood up for it must be living in a very unique part of 'the crays' .

I was a visiting officer for the local authority disability service until last year.. I think I have been to every street in St Mary's or St Paul's Cray. I would not want to be housed anywhere near either - under any circumstances, if there were any other choice .

DA14 is the nicer part of Sidcup in my opinion. There's a nice maisonette with share of freehold and parking on at £300k on Old Farm Avenue. At the end of that (long) road is Sidcup station (Zone 5 I think)/shops/restaurants/leisure centre etc so a very good location.

Have you considered well connected but further out places? Farnborough is 34 minutes to Waterloo and it’s possible to get house for around your budget. Not the best place but certainly not the worst either.

Obviously commuting costs are gonna be higher.

It was known as a bad area 20 years ago (I lived in Chislehurst/Orpington) and I don't think it's improved at all. I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.

Hi all,

We’ve finally found a house that we love, its a 2 bed end of terrace in Bexleyheath and has been in the market for about a week, with a guide price of 325k.

We put in an offer last night for 317k, some would say this is too high but we absolutely love it. The EA came back this morning and said the vendor has rejected it and might accept 320k at a push.

We then offered 322k thinking surely they’d accept it, however EA came back and said they take 323k and take the property off the market straight away.

My question is, are they taking the piss? And would you settle for the 323k?

The EA claims there are lots of viewings lined up for Saturday and if nobody makes a higher offer, then the place would be ours. I believe the house will get a lot of attention but who really offers that close to asking?

Not sure whether to wait it out, or take the 323k in fear of losing it!

Somebody help!!

Depends how much you want the property really. Is it really worth quibbling over a couple of thousand in the long run? We paid well over the asking price for ours but I honestly don’t care as I know it was the house I wanted to raise a family in. If it’s a fairly run of the mill property and you won’t be heartbroken if you miss out on it as something similar will come along soon then sit it out - hopefully they’ll cave and you’ll have a ‘bonus’ 2k to play around with when you move in. Trust your gut. Do you have a link? I grew up in B’heath with family still there and might be able to let you know if the road is a decent one or not...

Link? I would stick at what you've offered unless you really like it.

@Timeforchachachanges @Lightsabre

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-77098336.html

I spoke to the EA last night who advised they’ve taken the advert down because they were receiving ‘too much interest’.. surely that would be a good thing and would cause them to leave it up..

Mmm, looking at the map, that is a good location - fairly close to the station, shops and leisure centre. The house is small but a fair price at £325. I think I'd therefore up the offer and ask them to take it off the market immediately.

@Lightsabre it is a small house but given our budget we can’t afford to be too picky. It’s good to have confirmation regarding location from somebody who is familiar with the area. My only concern is that the property backs directly onto a supermarket car park the road could get really busy

Yes, that might get on your nerves after a while and also I wonder whether there will be night time/early morning deliveries disturbing sleep. Can you knock at a couple of the neighbours doors to ask - I always do!

OP I hope you get the home that you want. I would be slightly worried about the house coming off the market unless they've confirmed they've accepted your offer. I don't want to worry you unduly but some friends who had had trouble selling since last autumn suddenly got masses of interest this week, the post Brexit bounce effect their EA told them, and apparently in some London areas it has really affected asking prices pushing them upwards. At the advice of the EA my friends took it down for a day and then relisted for quite a bit more (up from £550k to £590k) than they had done and are about to go under offer at full asking price.

The EA came back to us to advise our offer had been accepted!

Congratulations Anitai!

So pleased for you @Anitai

Thanks both !!

It’s a good spot. Traditionally houses on the South side of Bexleyheath (where this house is) go for more and hold their value better. You’re also near Danson Park which is another sought after location In the area. You’re near some good primaries too. Congratulations!

It’s a good spot. Traditionally houses on the South side of Bexleyheath (where this house is) go for more and hold their value better. You’re also near Danson Park which is another sought after location In the area. You’re near some good primaries too. Congratulations!

It’s a good spot. Traditionally houses on the South side of Bexleyheath (where this house is) go for more and hold their value better. You’re also near Danson Park which is another sought after location In the area. You’re near some good primaries too. Congratulations!

Thanks, its a relief to know we made the right choice.

@mollibu could you give some advise about Ringshall Road, please?

@milenaynum Ringshall Road is lovely! It backs onto a few small private housing roads (Sunnyfield, Southfields, Highfields). My DM lives on the road leading to Ringshall and has no complaints! Big recreational ground just around the corner. Lessons Hill is a lovely primary school (if you have DC of that age!) Never really hear of any trouble coming from that way.

The only issue there might be with Ringshall Road would be the lack of parking if you’re coming home later than say 7, or if you’re having visitors. As I’m sure it’s all, apart from a few houses, on street parking.

Hope this helps

Just don’t do it. The image you get from the train station is reflective.