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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Would you buy this?

24 replies

Lamont77 · 14/02/2022 11:25

My friend is moving to London and she seen this (link below) but noticed its been on the market for a bit and now reduced. Are we missing something right from the off set as to why it isn't selling? Looks nice to us both.

I found this property on the Rightmove Android app and wanted you to see it:
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/114685670

Is it too expensive for the area, should she offer less?

OP posts:

Cissyandflora · 14/02/2022 11:28

Well it’s not the whole house for sale. It’s the ground floor. So that could be less than ideal. Depends who is upstairs.

Hobbes8 · 14/02/2022 11:28

Bedroom 3 doesn’t look very bedroomy - is it overpriced for a 2 bed?

Original poster

Lamont77 · 14/02/2022 11:34

Yeah, it looks like 2 bed flats in the area are a similar price and this has an extra room (albeit small) and a garden. Might be a dodgy neighbour though!

OP posts:

steppemum · 14/02/2022 11:35

yes just worked out it is only the ground floor.

But look nice?
Can't see any reason why not. I suspect it is the fact that it is half a hosue and maybe the very small 3rd bed.
Can't comment on price as I have no idea.

steppemum · 14/02/2022 11:36

to me it feels like a great flat.
So I imagine the issue is probably price, or something to do with upstairs neighbour, or maybe when you go and see it the division between up and down is less attractive?

Original poster

Lamont77 · 14/02/2022 11:38

Yeah I guess you'd need to modernise parts of it but I think layout is good, large kitchen and good sized bathroom, so not turn-key nice

OP posts:

ComtesseDeSpair · 14/02/2022 11:39

I’d say it’s at the top end for a flat of that size in that area: that part of HGS isn’t the most desirable part (still a nice area, but I think a lot of people would consider it more East Finchley.) I’d imagine the very small third bedroom is putting a lot of people off.

Hobbes8 · 14/02/2022 11:39

It’s also v close to the A1. Perhaps the traffic noise/fumes make that lovely garden less lovely in reality.

Cissyandflora · 14/02/2022 11:39

I love the bookshelves

princesspopppy · 14/02/2022 11:40

There's barely any information about it online. It looks nice online but wondering if there's red flags when people view the property.
Upstairs neighbour noisy?
Windows/roof issues etc.
Third bedroom is small but actually similar size to many box rooms in 1930's semis which people use as a nursery or office.

Original poster

Lamont77 · 14/02/2022 11:40

@Cissyandflora I love them too!

OP posts:

Verite1 · 14/02/2022 11:42

It’s very small bearing in mind it’s sold as 3 bedroom. But Hampstead garden suburbs is a nice area and the flat is very close to the Heath. So it seems very reasonably priced. I don’t like offers in excess of though - you never know where you stand!

Original poster

Lamont77 · 14/02/2022 11:43

Yeah I think you could rip out all the wooden stuff in the bedrooms for more space- especially the 3rd and put a smaller desk in to use as an office. Yeah could be structural issues/traffic

OP posts:

steppemum · 14/02/2022 11:45

anyone else really curious as to what the machine is in the 3rd bedroom and what they use it for!

parietal · 14/02/2022 11:47

it is v close to the A1 (major major road with loads of lorries) and the only car access is off the A1 (street is a cul-de-sac) which would make for a horrible drive around the block to get into the right street. and there may well be road noise & pollution

it is listed as Hampstead Garden Suburb, but being north of the A1 should really be called East Finchley which is the nearest tube.

parietal · 14/02/2022 11:48

@steppemum the machine in bed3 is a printing press used to make etchings / linocut prints etc.

Original poster

Lamont77 · 14/02/2022 11:50

Yeah I've just had another look on rightmove and 3 bed flats are going for 500-600k in East Finchley so I think it's the HGS listing that's bumping the price up, despite being closer to EF like PPs have mentioned

OP posts:

DrDetriment · 14/02/2022 11:55

It's definitely HGS (I know it well around there) but it's a 2 bed flat with a box room as the third bedroom and right by the bit where the A1 is dual carriageway. Probably a decent place if updated but not exactly a bargain.

nothappytobeheretoday · 14/02/2022 11:57

Near the A1 (noisy).
Those windows - adorable but don't keep out noise and freezing in winter. I bet you can't replace them with any old off the shelf pvc windows.
Leasehold - how much are all the yearly payments?
How old is the roof - you will be responsible for part of that not just the upstairs flat.

BeforeISleep · 14/02/2022 12:15

Typical price for the area. If you were to ring the EA they'll probably tell you it's under offer. I see a lot of local EAs keeping the ads up well after the property has gone.

If it was the whole house for sale, it would probably be on for around £1.25-1.5m.

SprintingAtlas · 14/02/2022 12:19

I agree with the points made by @nothappytobeheretoday

The roof looks it might need some work soon.

It's not advertised as listed but in HGS there may be some restrictions on what can be done, so as PP mentions windows and roofs will likely be a lot more expensive.

Are there service charges, or would your friend be expected to just pay for repairs and/or major works as and when they come about?

The fact that there are only two flats can be a blessing and a curse. If the other neighbour isn't as keen to get repairs done, it could be a nightmare.

mindutopia · 14/02/2022 13:30

There are some really ugly garages opposite, which might put people off depending on whose they are, how they are used. But mostly the are just really unattractive.

steppemum · 14/02/2022 13:31

[quote parietal]@steppemum the machine in bed3 is a printing press used to make etchings / linocut prints etc.[/quote]
Thank you!

AwkwardPaws27 · 14/02/2022 13:39

@SprintingAtlas

I agree with the points made by *@nothappytobeheretoday*

The roof looks it might need some work soon.

It's not advertised as listed but in HGS there may be some restrictions on what can be done, so as PP mentions windows and roofs will likely be a lot more expensive.

Are there service charges, or would your friend be expected to just pay for repairs and/or major works as and when they come about?

The fact that there are only two flats can be a blessing and a curse. If the other neighbour isn't as keen to get repairs done, it could be a nightmare.

Came on to say exactly this.

Our first flat was share of freehold with one other - luckily we didn't have to have anything major done jointly but I ended up arranging joint insurance for the property as they didn't take any responsibility/realise it needed insuring (although they did transfer me half the cost promptly). Trying to agree something big like roof repair or replacement could be a bit of a 'mare if needed.

That said, it looks lovely!

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