Would you buy this property?

[Essexgirliex]

Hi,

ive come across a property I like but noticed a couple things that made me rethink. Want to understand if this would be picked up by others or if I’m just overthinking it so would you buy this property please and also for this price? https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/161200355#/?channel=RES_BUY

Price is totally dependent on the area, that I don't know, and whether it seems reasonable. Can't comment on that.

It looks alright, I don't love it but it's inoffensive with potential. The lounge with a partial wall in the middle is an odd layout that might annoy me but if one half was set up as a dining room it might make sense.

What is it you think is problematic?

It’s ok…

I don’t really like how there’s a big wall in the middle of the main room, and the front, particularly the porch is a lot of brick and not much else…

Yes! But only if you’re up for a project. There’s lots that can be done to this house. If you have the funds it’s exciting

I don’t know what prices are like in that area but I’d need to budget for a lot of renovation. The bedrooms are small.

I don’t like it but if the location is good it has potential.

It looks like a good blank canvas. It’s quite close to a train line though. I’d want to check out how often and late the trains run and how loud they are from the garden.

That lounge...I mean it's a big space but it's just weird and doesn't work at all. I think walls would need to go up but I can't quire work out where.

It’s on the turning circle of the cul de sac so that might get annoying. Near’ish a railway line so depends on what hours and frequency of trains and also water nearby so maybe midges on a summer evening. It needs a refresh and maybe a little bit of structural work on the end wall to open it up completely but apart from that I don’t see any huge red flags

I think it could make a lovely family home potentially, however it is close to the railway line and water both of which could be problematic.

The bedrooms look like good sizes. Kitchen and bathroom needs updating. I would probably block up the openings to make it less open plan in the lounge.

Only one bathroom for a 4 bedroom house would put me off. Multiple people to get a shower in the morning could be a real.challenge.

Can’t comment on the price for the area but I don’t like the house. Needs loads of work done and the lounge arrangement with the wall is not ideal. The garden looks dark too.

What’s your budget? Have you got the leeway for new kitchen, bathrooms, renovations…?

in the photos, there seems to be an extra workshop or extended garage that is not on the floor plans.

Everything is a bit weirdly off centre for me - windows and doorways. And there's some doors that open the wrong way. Just feels strange!

This is a typical 70s 4 bed detached with a ground floor extension across the back. We lived in the next town from Wickford and had a practically identical house and extension. The odd bit in the middle of the living room is just part of the original outside wall. They were all built with one bathroom upstairs and a downstairs shower room. Can’t comment on the price but a great blank canvas if the location is right. What is the potential problem op?

Is it because the white loo seat doesn't match the rest of the avocado cloakroom? Only you can decide if whatever you have noticed is an issue for you. It's not us spending half a million pounds and being stuck with whatever it is.

Thanks for all the comments. Essentially it’s all the things everyone has picked up on. Proximity to the railway, only one bathroom for 4beds and the lounge area just seems off!! Ahhh house hunting is so hard :(

I do have a bit of money for some work but only about 50k which I don’t think will be enough.. I’ll keep the search going thanks everyone x

The outside means it’s never going to be beautiful (but that’s ok if the house/ location works), and I bet it needs a tonne of work. Once you get started on it inevitably the electrics/ roof / something random to do with sewage will need sorting. But if you have the time and cash to deal with that sort of stuff, as well as the general update, it could be fine.

I would not buy anything close to a railway line.

My first property was in London and we had a railway line at the back of our block of flats. The weekend engineering works, the sounds of the train horns and the vibrations from the trains were definitely issues.

So although the house has potential the location is a no for me.

I really wouldn't buy this.
It's right next to the railway line isn't an attractive looking house. It also needs full updating but has been priced far higher than other very recent sales in the road in better condition (previous around 450k, this one listed 75k higher) for no reason that I can see.
Find somewhere better situated for a better price.

Are you familiar with wickford op?

@hedgerunner not really!! Isn’t it a good area? x

It needs a full refurbishment and to knock through that weird sitting room arrangement. Your 50k could be enough depending on how much you do yourself and the type of kitchen/bathroom you choose.

The train line behind, regardless of whether you mind it or not, it will make it difficult to sell when the time comes and effect the value.

Finally, based on nearby sold prices and given the amount of work needed it is very overpriced. Nearby 4 bed detached with same square footage sold last summer for £450k and it was immaculate….

Yep. It looks like it's still the original everything from when it was built, 30+ years ago. The overall size is good but the downstairs layout is just weird.

It's hard to get a ballpark for the price from the recently sold because almost everything in the past 2 years is much, much smaller, suggesting it might already be at the ceiling price for the area and it would cost more than you have to add no significant value and make it liveable and at least less grotty.

I imagine the garden will be very dark. You are so close to the railway line and the station car park who can wouldn't make me feel very safe at night. Anyone could be in those woods!

And yes the living room layout is odd - not enough bathrooms but you could sort that

It's a lot of money for a lot of little rooms and one oddly shaped one!

It looks like lego. However, it could be made to work and the lego block at the front just needs a window and some pots/a shrub by it.

A lifetime ago, when I worked in the City, people used to groan if a secretary or clerk was appointed who lived in Wickford because the train line serving it was so unreliable, they were always late for work.

The railway wouldn't really bother me as that close to the station, the trains won't be going fast enough to rattle.

It comes down to price. If it's priced at the top for the area, then no. At a glance it needs about £100k spending on it so the price needs to be £425 tops to make it viable. I'd also have to knock through two of the bedrooms to make a reasonable principal bedroom with ensuite, so it's a three bedder for me.