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Property/DIY

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What do you think of this studio flat?

183 replies

Spring025 · 25/03/2025 11:19

We're going to view this flat with DS at the weekend. It's tiny but in a good spot for him due to being close to a nice town centre and easy to get to work - and all he can afford.
He's currently paying £800 pound a month rent for a room in a house with no access to a proper kitchen (only microwave and fridge) and a shared bathroom so is keen to be putting that money into his own place.
I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts on it, thanks!

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/159386981#/?channel=RES_BUY

Check out this Studio flat for sale on Rightmove

Studio flat for sale in Craven Road, Newbury, RG14 5NE, RG14 for £115,000. Marketed by Downer and Co, Newbury

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/159386981#/?channel=RES_BUY

OP posts:
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Spring025 · 29/03/2025 12:34

Feelingstrange2 · 29/03/2025 12:12

It was a good starter for ten though. Starts the conversations flowing and the thought process.

My DS moved into his first place yesterday and I'm sat waiting for him and his Dad to.come back from B and Q with stuff to keep him busy over the next week.

Your flat visit today reminds me of a day last May when we accompanied DS to his first viewings. Actually it was the only one day we did as we live a long way away. But he learned so much from those and the conversations after, and from then on he felt more confident to view himself.

Good luck to your DS!

Edited

Thank you that's lovely! You're right, it was so good to get the first viewing out the way and gave us lots to talk about. DS spent all day yesterday with a stomach ache apparently which I think may have been anxiety related over doing his first viewing but the guy showing us it was really nice so it was a good experience.

How exciting for your son - I hope he has a wonderful time in his new place!

OP posts:
latetothefisting · 29/03/2025 12:55

DevilledEgg · 25/03/2025 11:54

I'll never get over the differences in property prices in this country. Where I live you'd get an excellent fully renovated modernised 2 bed house or a fairly decent 3 bed house for that money. To think you're getting about a quarter of a house for that amount of money makes me weep

bit odd to be weeping for someone you've never met, who is actually luckier than the majority of people in the world if they have sufficient savings and income to allow them to buy a property at all.

luckily we have freedom of movement in this country so if people would prefer to live somewhere cheaper they can.

For others who prefer to live in a busier part of the country, with more going on or better job prospects, or by particular attractions (e.g. seaside) or just stay nearer their friends and family, yes, the cost of housing is frustrating but not to the extent that it needs patronising strangers to cry for them.

I don't live in the most expensive place, but there are certainly lots of places much cheaper that I could move to - but I don't want to, that doesn't mean I need your sympathy!

I'm sure you'd be offended if someone said 'I can't believe people actually live in [your area] because they can't afford anywhere better, poor things. You know there's only one [theatre] in their whole town that shows touring productions years after we get them here, I weep for their lack of cultural opportunities].'

replace theatre with whatever else your area doesn't have - that you don't prioritise but others might!

Hopeful2go · 29/03/2025 13:50

Spring025 · 29/03/2025 12:09

Update everyone! Thanks for all your input, we went to see it today and it turns out @Sdpbody was actually correct in the end.

The heating was on when we went in and there was a dehumidifier but unfortunately neither were doing anything for the stink of what I guess was damp. DS 'didn't really notice' but it was so bad that I could still smell it on me after we'd walked down the road to the car, we drove to the Lidl and it was like I could still taste it. TBF I am quite sensitive to smells, Lush gives me a headache, but unfortunately it was bad. The flat also looked worse in person than in the pictures sadly, artexed ceilings and just very tatty.

Thanks for all your your views and advice, I really appreciated it all and gave us lots to think about.

Aww…I’m sorry, that’s a real shame but at least it gives you all a feel of what similar properties in that area might be like, hopefully saving you wasted viewings and money . Our son is in his first house (not in Newbury) and they had a load problems with damp in a similar Victorian/Edwardian semi; rectified now, just , but it’s cost them.

Is there a timeline for your son to be out of his current room or can you afford to hang on for a better place? Think I mentioned that Rockingham Rd, leading off Craven has some lovely blocks of modern flats, Rockingham Gate and Mayflower house . I noticed there’re a few to let atm, plus one for sale , though it’s a two-bedder on the top floor. I’ve been in a couple visiting friends and they’re great - light, airy, good decorative condition. Equally handy for the town centre and the train station .

Spring025 · 29/03/2025 14:23

Hopeful2go · 29/03/2025 13:50

Aww…I’m sorry, that’s a real shame but at least it gives you all a feel of what similar properties in that area might be like, hopefully saving you wasted viewings and money . Our son is in his first house (not in Newbury) and they had a load problems with damp in a similar Victorian/Edwardian semi; rectified now, just , but it’s cost them.

Is there a timeline for your son to be out of his current room or can you afford to hang on for a better place? Think I mentioned that Rockingham Rd, leading off Craven has some lovely blocks of modern flats, Rockingham Gate and Mayflower house . I noticed there’re a few to let atm, plus one for sale , though it’s a two-bedder on the top floor. I’ve been in a couple visiting friends and they’re great - light, airy, good decorative condition. Equally handy for the town centre and the train station .

No timeline to be out fortunately and he likes his place, he can afford to stay living there as long as needed so no rush. Will definitely keep looking around, thanks!

OP posts:
Crikeyalmighty · 29/03/2025 15:35

I honestly think he should look at that top floor 2 bedder I posted earlier in thread OP with parking. the one that was a 50% shared ownership and quite low rental and £81,000 - as mentioned if he lost his job unless he’s got zillions in savings he would get rent and s/c paid. If it’s semi decent I think it would be a much better bet - something that cheap in Newbury on full purchase as you’ve found will have issues

Spring025 · 29/03/2025 16:26

Crikeyalmighty · 29/03/2025 15:35

I honestly think he should look at that top floor 2 bedder I posted earlier in thread OP with parking. the one that was a 50% shared ownership and quite low rental and £81,000 - as mentioned if he lost his job unless he’s got zillions in savings he would get rent and s/c paid. If it’s semi decent I think it would be a much better bet - something that cheap in Newbury on full purchase as you’ve found will have issues

Thanks, we're on holiday for a few weeks now so putting things on hold till we get back but will definitely be considering shared ownership as I didn't understand about staircasing or that rent paid if unemployed before this thread.

OP posts:
Crikeyalmighty · 29/03/2025 18:36

@Spring025 yep I think it’s a better idea myself unless he can afford to buy something semi decent in full and I think from what you’ve said that will be outside his budget. The other thing is you can struggle to mortgage these rather grim places . It’s not difficult to staircase but one thing to bear in mind is I think there isa sweet spot - up to 65% or the full 100% - because the bit between that means it seems quite a high initial price for anyone who can’t get a very high mortgage - and there are more potential buyers who can go to 65% - the other thing with staircasing is you don’t really want to be doing it in bits- as it gets revalued every time with associated costs- you do get any uplifts in value though proportional to share you own if you sell - one thing to bear in mind is somewhere that hasn’t got lifts etc tends to be lower on service charges etc. you only tend to hear the shit instances of shared ownership but a well priced resale can work well and give him security and hedges your bets in case of a change in circumstances.

DevilledEgg · 30/03/2025 00:00

Edit: someone was meant to be quoted but it didn't work and now I can't find the post, so sorry about that 😬

God, you're literal 😂😂
Clearly, my area doesn't have you, any I'm not sad about that 😂
There's plenty of opportunities here, actually. You just need to be able to drive, like you do in the majority of the UK.
Honest to god 😂😂😂

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