House buying -Area Advice New Build Merstham

[Liz112]

Hi All,

So I am looking to buy this new build in Merstham

www.zoopla.co.uk/new-homes/details/53800344?search_identifier=947802b91c35d1ab99b0efa362126e7d

These new builds are built on previous social housing flats,

www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/merstham-regeneration-demolition-begins-portland-13888980

www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/info/20327/merstham/378/merstham_regeneration
Raven Housing Trust obtained planning permission (with conditions) to demolish the existing shops and flats and create 48 homes (a mixture of houses and flats). Tenants of the existing flats have all been rehoused. Some of the shopkeepers have agreed leases for the new shops on the Iron Horse or Triangle sites; the others will relocate or close.

Also as part of the regeneration they have demolished an old pub and made a new Co-operative a few years ago.

citicentric.co.uk/2017/06/05/portland-drive-merstham-estate-regeneration/

The new builds are being build by Raven Housing trust.

The house we like a 3 bed semi-detached is around £450,000

I have been researching Merstham and not sure if the houses are good for the money I am paying.

Houses in old Merstham and South Merstham are mainly Victorian and Edwardian and even old houses sell for nearly £500,000

In fact there is a new build in Old Merstam and they are from £569,00 and onwards
www.zoopla.co.uk/new-homes/details/53896959?search_identifier=6fde42714241e1b9446393dd6ffdfcee

Again last year a similar new build in old Merstham was sold for £539,000 and more
www.primelocation.com/new-homes/details/51409212

It seems the area that I am looking at Portland Drive and around was a council estate and 2 or 3 bed houses sell for a maximum of £400,000 and so
see these two
www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/54180151?search_identifier=46c37c848afb3e154369348efd89af57

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/54120187?search_identifier=46c37c848afb3e154369348efd89af57
A 2 bedroom terraced house was sold in July 2018 just opposite the new build for £278,000
www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/detailMatching.html?prop=60711964&sale=55951256&country=england

It seems there is a difference of around £100,000 in old Merstham and council estate area.
I have spoken to most of the agents in that area and they say Albury Road and Nutfield are posh areas and will always have more value.
Is it a good idea to buy this house - I like the house - the garden is small( has a slope). I am thinking if I live here for around 3 to 5 years and then buy a house in old Merstham.
I will have to put the new build for sale or on rent. But I don't want to risk losing almost a £100,000
Can anyone share their thoughts please?

Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance.

The council estate part where this house is is very well.... council estate. Doesnt even compare to old merstham, and as you say this is 100k more than the equivalent old council house 3 bed semi. It is a bit of a nothing area purpose built for council tenants, no one from outside visits the area because there is nothing there.
I personally wouldnt live there, and for 450k there are much better options further in like Caterham, kenley, at s stretch warlingham

I’d have a think about the proximity to the M25 (noise and pollution). Do you need schools? They aren’t the greatest in that area.

www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/compare-schools

Other than that you always pay a premium for a privately owned area.

It doesn't look like that estate is that close to the motorways. I like Merstham as an area. Like everywhere it has its nice bits and not so nice bits.

Hi eurochick,

do you live around Merstham ? which are the nice bits and not so nice bits? :)

Thank you on the lookout now

JoJoSM2 Fri 07-Feb-20 12:44:38
I’d have a think about the proximity to the M25 (noise and pollution). Do you need schools? They aren’t the greatest in that area.

www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/compare-schools

Other than that you always pay a premium for a privately owned area.

Thank you JoJoSM2 will look in to the schools now :)

That is very central to the social housing area of Merstham which is well away from motorways, railway and flight paths. The estate was constructed postwar to house those from London displaced by bombing, hence why now due for renewal. Merstham has one of the areas of highest deprivation in Surrey, with associated mental health alcohol and drug related issues, which is how it has attracted investment. Hence the new community hub, gp, cafe, library etc. Raven is the local housing association provider.

Personally it looks overpriced for location and resale within a few years may prove tricky as the development progresses. Having said that much of the surrounding estate has already been privately purchased and other areas are older, more traditional housing and well regarded. There is also a small nee development along Nutfield road , if nearer the railway line, which might be worth considering or Watercolour if you prefer newish.

Primary schools are good with choice of 3 locally, Lime Tree is currently popular as it has only been there for 5 years or so and now has a new linked secondary in Merstham. Otherwise secondaries are in Redhill/Reigate and East Surrey College(fe/sixth form) is very close by.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-76660960.html

Although still overpriced imho.

My daughter lives on the Watercolour Estate and her boys go to Lime Tree. She's very happy there.

This looks a nice house if you're willing to pay £450K
www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/53457111?search_identifier=0b762791a8a84178f250a1cfbd17c7e9

and this for £400K with a lovely and better-sized garden than you get with new builds in this price range
www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/51602716?search_identifier=0b762791a8a84178f250a1cfbd17c7e9

LIZS Sat 08-Feb-20 13:45:08
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-76660960.html

Although still overpriced imho.

Hi LIZS,
I fully agree with you these are overpriced :)
Yes we have seen those - the one in the link is only 974sq ft for £479,000 compared to the one we saw in Portland is £450,000 for a 1124sq ft.
The larger 4 bed in All Saints is £560,000
Definitely due to the area I guess :(

Hi sunshinesupermum

Watercolor is nice we have friends living in one of the houses.

Thanks for the links to the houses.

We have seen both of them - the £450,000 is a detached house but so close to the train line - trains run past all the time due to gatwick express.
Has been on the market since last year and dropped £50,000

The second one is also very close to the train line and been on the market since last year too.

Pershaps the proximity to the train lines are the reason why these are so close.

Hi Liz112 What a shame they are so close to the train line - they look such nice houses. As it happens you can hear the train line at Watercolour! I do think Merstham is a nice family place to live but the new build you first mentioned does seem overpriced to me.

I am considering buying a 3 bed house in Portland drive or Westvale Park. I have visited both housing development and had a chat with some of the developers. Whilst I can read reviews for Westvale Park on the pros and cons and I can’t see any sort of review for Portland drive (Burrstone garden) online. I’m a bit worried.
It’s my first home and I have a young family so I’m really deeply concerned about which one to settle for.
It’s also good that I add I am only looking on newly built due to my savings and I would like to utilise the help to buy option.
Those two housing projects are the only ones available around my area at the moment cos I would like to settle within the area.

Please any opinion and advice I can get off someone will be very handy. Every little helps at this time. I am still trying to make my mind up on which one to go.

Westvale Park are semi-detached houses so quite bigger and spacious. More like a home.

Portland drive are terraced houses so not as big as the semi-detached ones. But quite spacious on the inside. The garden is not as big either. But surroundings is more lively compared to the former.