Moving to Petts Wood Orpington - why this house not selling

[olivia117]

Hi everyone! We are considering moving to the Petts Wood, Orpington area for our 2-year-old child to attend Crofton Infant School in a few years and Darrick Wood School for secondary school in about 9 years (we do not plan to push our child for the grammar schools). We have started viewing properties, but so far haven't found anything within our budget of approximately £700k that we like.

(1) There's a large detached bungalow on St Thomas Drive that seems spacious and pretty, catch both schools, although it is slightly over our budget and requires some renovation. However, what's holding us back is that it has been on the market for several months and hasn't sold, despite being marketed by multiple agents (rightmove listings). So it's possible that there are something wrong that everyone sees that we just don't.

Could anyone with local knowledge help tell us some possible reasons why this property hasn't sold yet?

We have identified some potential drawbacks, but we're not sure if they are significant enough to prevent the property from selling:

• Possible surface water pump controller/alarm mounted on the house front wall (photos)
• Priced a bit high
• Medium surface flood risk
• Close proximity to Kyd Brook
• Close proximity to Crofton Woods
• North facing garden
• Require some work/redecoration

(2) Additionally, there are some other houses on Nightingale Road and Crescent Drive that fit our budget. However, we are concerned that these areas may not be within catchment for Darrick Wood School for secondary. We'd prefer not to move again in a few years due to the stress involved. Does anyone know if there are good secondary schools for children living on those roads, excluding grammar schools? Or most of them would have to move again for secondary?

(3) Also there are bungalows on Derwent Drive and Greenfield Gardens which are quite small and require a lot more work/extensions. Still, the main concern is they seem to be on the edge and can fall out of Darrick Wood's catchment. Does anyone know if children living on these roads can attend Darrick Wood School?

We would appreciate any comments or advice you can offer. Thank you!

For the area (Petts Wood/ nicer bits of Orp) £700-800k for that kind of house is pretty standard & considering you'd want to re-decorate etc, I'd say if I were valuing it for me, I'd be looking at the lower end of that. Guessing that's why it's not sold?

Feels like a good price for the area and tbh we know people and have seen threads on here that selling a house can have long delays due to the economy. I actually quite like the house and can image it feeling quite homely when done up but as someone else said it's in a bit of a no man's land.

When moving to the area I was told to prioritise secondary over primary school locations as most of Bromley's primary's are good and from what I've seen and heard now we are here it feels true.

Are there another factors other than schools driving your choices - commuting etc.