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THIS very cheap flat, or THIS one? Advice please?

55 replies

52andblue · 26/01/2021 11:00

A friend is buying in the Scottish Borders - entry level flat.

She has found this one:

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/99511511#/

But I think this one might be better:

www.bspc.co.uk/userfiles/property/schedules/23542.pdf?456883

Hope those links work

Both have same home report value and sim number of No 2 issues.

Any opinions ?

OP posts:
52andblue · 27/01/2021 13:20

I agree with pretty much everything everyone has said, just can't get HER to listen: ah well!

You can't get a mortgage for more than you borrow she says, and certainly not more than the HR valuation so it IS really tight.
TBH, even if she had an extra £10K for repairs, I doubt she'd organise it so she's really better getting something small manageable and central imo.

But what will be will be! Thanks for all opinions, I appreciate it.

OP posts:
ComtesseDeSpair · 27/01/2021 13:21

@emmathedilemma

I'm not being funny but if you're so short of cash that you can barely afford to buy a £40k flat then your priority should be on cheap basic home cooking not living off takeaways!!
The OP has said that her friend has autism, mental health problems and struggles with looking after herself - hence her concern for her buying a flat which is going to require a lot of work to be habitable. Only on MN could somebody read a thread where that’s so clearly the point the OP is making and think to comment on the virtues of cooking from scratch and how easy this should be for everyone.

Looking at some of the outlets the electrics may be old enough that the place needs a rewire, I doubt that ancient gas fire would make it through a safety inspection, and the way the floorboards have been patched I’d at least want to check the joists for soundness. The damp is probably because the place is entirely unheated and the window frames have rotted, so not necessarily a structural issue but not a cheap fix all the same.

I think it could be a nice little flat for somebody with £10-£15k to install a boiler and central heating, rewire, have at least the worst of the windows replaced, and do something with the kitchen and bathroom. I don’t think it’s suitable for somebody with little cash to spare who thinks they can move in, give it a coat of paint and manage through the winters with some electric heaters plugged in.

OP, if your friend has family locally, could you encourage her to have them view the flat with her and give their opinion, which might help her decision and to understand their concerns?

CoronaIsWatching · 27/01/2021 13:23

Flats in developments or large blocks tend to have outrageous service charges. If I was to buy a flat I'd get one in a converted house.

Zitouna · 27/01/2021 13:49

Scottish govt is pretty good at providing grants and/or interest free loans for heating and home insulation. Exactly what depends on circumstances of the person and the property, but It sounds like she might be eligible. So, if she does end up buying it, maybe you could steer her in this direction?

www.homeenergyscotland.org/find-funding-grants-and-loans/

Chicchicchicchiclana · 27/01/2021 13:57

In the first one I think you can only get to the second bedroom through the first bedroom? And the bedrooms are in the attic which will be freezing all year round in winter.

The second one - the bedrooms are tiny but I like the idea of a separate utility room.

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