£200k deposit and can't afford a family home

[Catcakes]

We have a sizable deposit, household income just shy of £100k and we can't find a basic 3 bedroom house (that's not a flat) that we can afford. Our budget is circa £600k but everything in our range is either a total dump, in a dodgy area, or we get totally outbid. I know the housing market is bad but seriously, what the hell is going on? We have don't have time or money for a big renovation. Where is everyone getting all their cash from to afford these basic houses?!

And yes we're in the SE and sort of in the London suburbs. And no we can't move to the north East 😂

With Banstead you need to be careful of secondary school catchments unless Catholic I believe.

Also it’s a buyers market, offer on houses over 600k

Another Ewell one with good schools & close to station

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/147798254#/?channel=RES_BUY

What is most important, distance to station, schools, or not having to do any redecorating?

Lots of properties in East Grinstead.
Granted, it's not the most exciting of towns but a gateway to both London and beautiful countryside.

Not a dump -

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/145363940?utmcampaign=property-details&utmmcontent=buying&utmmedium=sharing&utmmsource=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY

https://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/67252439/?search_identifier=49cf52290607e0251266a52e954b9637846af95ba91713b0dd2b1f829016ec5e

North Cheam part of Sutton. Not particularly fashionable but excellent schools. The benefits of being in a closer zone is cheaper travel. Look at CT too, my friend pays 3k in Banstead.

Seems theres plenty within 5 miles. I'm guessing there's more criteria than 3 beds near dorking. Mostly 3 bed semis but there's a few detached coming up.

Omg… what a stupid comment.
A coffee is what £3.50? 3 x a week for a while year would equate to £546.

So maybe they have been saving for let’s say 5 years? That’s not even an extra 3K to add to their budget which isn’t going to make any difference house hunting.

It’s a lovely area but the trains are appalling. Always delayed or cancelled.

FFS www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/147821276

50 mins to London bridge .. I wish I had your money !!

... and this !! Within great primary and grammar schools..

There are lots of places in Berkshire where you could get a very nice 3 bed for under £600k (some would be much closer to £450-550), and have a train route in. Have you looked at Bracknell, Wokingham, Crowthorne etc

I think OP is only commuting 3 times per week. She could get a ‘cheaper’ house in Oxfordshire and pay the travel dividend (which is what DH did).

I think you need to go for a maisonette

Which London stations would it be okay for you to move into? Are you set on that side of London? I think you'd get more for your money in e.g. Essex potentially, but that's the wrong side of London for your family by the sounds of it.

Here's a selection from me OP in areas I think are pretty nice- I'm a right snob on houses and areas but I seriously don't think any of these are 'dumps' or require vast amounts of work unless you are being pretty picky and specific - all are easily commutable

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143723579

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/147431204

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86656860#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/147409334#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/147287315#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/146874866#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/147853250#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/146916878#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143538551#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/136079027#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/147340925#/?channel=RES_BUY

I thought Guildford was the definition of a 'nice' area. Good schools, surrounded by green belt, pretty cobbled streets of indie and high street stores, a river, three theatres, three music venues, a castle, a cathedral, a uni, loads of little cafes and restaurants, safe at night.

@Lilacdew yes I'm a bit baffled there- I see no difference between Guildford and say St Albans. Guildford actually has better facilities but a bit longer commute

Lots in your budget in nice parts of Kent
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/147875390#/media?channel=RES_NEW&id=media0&ref=photoCollage

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/147493916#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/147246050#/?channel=RES_BUY

Why don’t you increase your budget to £800k (say)? 600k is a tiny budget with a 200k deposit

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/65513181/

Kent

Most of my similarly improverished colleagues live in Hounslow, Feltham, and further to Guildford...not nice areas but you might get something for your budget, as long as you don't get too close to the Piccadilly line.

Ive always thought Guildford was considered a good area

Why don’t you increase your budget to £800k (say)? 600k is a tiny budget with a 200k deposit

Borrow 6 times your income? Nope

So many options around Redhill - all you need to do is widen your search and you can get cracking!