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Original poster

Buying a cheap house in Liverpool / Merseyside - £130k or less

20 replies

topcat2026 · 08/03/2026 22:26

Later this year, I'm going to buy my first property, at the age of 50 and by myself. Liverpool has always appealed, and I go there now and then for days out as I live quite close (Manchester). But I can't afford a house in Manchester so have identified Liverpool as a place to buy something (a two bedroom terrace - I'm not interested in buying a leasehold flat). I would do my current job as hybrid, travelling to and from Manchester twice a week.

I haven't seen a mortgage broker yet, but I'm working on the assumption that as I have a shit private pension, a mortgage would be offered up to retirement age of 67, so 17 years. My deposit is £60k and I want to keep my repayment to less than £500 a month based on interest at 4.5%. I'm thinking of getting a lodger as I only earn £32k and want the mortgage paid off asap. Also thinking of wriggle room in case interest rates go up. So all in all the house would have to be £130k or less. After many hours rightmoving, the same areas come up - Anfield, Kensington, Bootle , Kirkdale- areas I've not been to but have read there's lots of crime and anti-social behaviours there.

I was hoping some folks could recommend good areas in the city or nearby, preferably with a train station? that have houses in my budget? I read here ages ago that you should try and avoid places in the city north of the city centre but I can't afford to buy in the nice bits!

OP posts:
catherinewales · 08/03/2026 22:32

Have you looked at Knowsley? Kirkby in particular. It has 2 train stations. 15 mins into the city centre by train. Has 2 motorways, 45 min drive to Manchester. Also a train that goes straight through to Manchester. Houses quite reasonable priced. Decent area.

GandTtwice · 08/03/2026 22:56

I think you are going to struggle to find anything (that doesn't need significant work) at £130,000 in a really nice area.
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/171201326?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=buying&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY
This one is in Seaforth close to Waterloo in a better area but does need some work. Areas of Seaforth/Litherland are nicer than Bootle north of the city within Sefton.
If you are getting a lodger are you able to stretch the budget?

Check out this 2 bedroom terraced house for sale on Rightmove

2 bedroom terraced house for sale in Hereford Road, Liverpool, L21 for £130,000. Marketed by James Kristian, Liverpool

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/171201326#/&channel=RES_BUY

boundarysponge · 08/03/2026 23:02

I don’t think £130,000 is realistic for a decent area. I’ve looked at all the houses in that price range and none are in any areas that you would really recommend. In Liverpool there are lots of lovely areas but you definitely pay for the area (which can really change street to street) not the property. There are flats at that price in Southport and houses in Ormskirk. You would also get a better area for your money on the Wirral or parts of Widnes.

Original poster
topcat2026 · 09/03/2026 14:02

Thanks, I’ll take a look into the areas suggested. I don’t mind if the area is a bit rough, just not too much. I’d like to buy here in my average part of Manchester but two bed terrace houses - often with no hallways and gardens - start from £210k, which is out of my price range.

The house would have to be ready to move into as I couldn’t afford any renovation. I think I need to consider being out of Liverpool.

@GandTtwice I believe you have to evidence your income to lenders so I don’t think a hypothetical lodger would be helpful for them (just my assumption)?

OP posts:
SwayingInTime · 09/03/2026 14:06

A broker is likely to be able to find you a longer term mortgage despite the actual content of your pension. We went with accord as husband was over 50 and they would extend the term despite having basically no pension.

MiddleAgedDread · 09/03/2026 15:03

casting your net a bit wider to suit your budget, I would have a look at Warrington.

ElizabethFryIsSpinning · 09/03/2026 15:11

Wavertree is good especially near the Asda it's got more restaurants popping up good public transport and a big sports centre although the house prices there might be going up.

redboxer321 · 09/03/2026 15:19

Have a look at retirement mortgages @topcat2026
They can take into account your state pension forecast, your current pay and your albeit 'shit' private pension. They are interest only but you can overpay if you want to reduce the amount owed. They get paid off when you sell or die.
Not for everybody but you might want a nicer place in a nicer area and have a mortgage on the property.
50 is minimum age and you don't have to be retired.
Just something to think about.

Lizeee · 26/05/2026 23:27

As someone who's currently searching I'll dispel some myths for you:

L15, Wavertree won't work unless you're around Bligh St and Lawrence Rd. You don't want to be there, it's dirty, full of rodents and students (you pick which one is worse). It's also being filled with dirty, low income buyers whose kids run around unbothered outside. It's different two streets up and down but for £130k that's what you get in Wavertree.

Most of what's currently advertised in L8, L15, L13, L19 and L12, L21 will sell above asking price. Just yesterday I was outbid on a 150k property by 20k (+15% asking price). A two bed with a corridor room (one room being unable to fit a wardrobe and bed) sold for circa 160k in L8. Anything you view there, imagine another 10k on top.

L21 where someone linked a property above is where I live now. Properties on that street sell for 160k+. The reason this one didn't is due to the horrendous mould.

Unfortunately you will not find a ready to move in anything near Liverpool for 130k with outdoor space. Even Wirral as quoted above would've sold above that asking price. Set your filter to £120k and when you find something that suits in condition and location put an offer of 130k

TessSaysYes · 26/05/2026 23:39

Just be careful about stuffing that square peg into a round hole...if property ownership is towards the risky end of the spectrum, maybe consider how your can rent better.
Of course it could work out wonderfully. But being compelled to sell up in 5 -10 years, in the future. could constitute a loss for you.
How attached do you truly feel to location where you will buy. For example, with family connections that connection can be deep. But without that, you might not give a monkeys after a few years.
No doubt your going up think hard about this. 👍

Advocodo · 27/05/2026 16:10

I think,you should up your mortgage to 3 x your yearly salary of 32k so that you can afford something nicer. Most people have to stretch themselves when they 1st buy and you will also get a lodger which will help enormously.

Crikeyalmighty · 27/05/2026 16:39

I would buy something a bit nicer OP using the Heylo ‘your move’ scheme- it’s essentially shared ownership , but on the open market - this is for several reasons - with this scheme you need to put down 25% of property in cash ( no mortgage) which you could do - property needs to be freehold and in good order - the age thing isn’t an issue - you can do the scheme even if retired— you also share in any uplift when you sell relative to your percentage - your rent bit will be lower than a mortgage over a short term - and if you were ever out of work and had below 16,000 in savings you would get most if not all of it paid- however it means you get the security!! Personally I would look around the £180k market in a better area and put down £45 k - leaving you money for legal and any bits and bobs.

AlwaysPurple · 27/05/2026 16:49

There are a few 2 bed terraces on the market in L8, for around 130/140k. It's not a posh area but it's OK, I lived there until recently and have friends there. Good transport, big Tesco, close to the river, Princes Park and Sefton park are close by. I think the leaseholds are the council with low ground rent, worth double checking but don't be put off by that.

Skybluepinky · 27/05/2026 17:13

Kenny is a student area and best avoided.

MaryBennetsGlasses · 27/05/2026 17:16

Nice area on the Wirral. Walk to station 10-15 mins then 25 mins to Liverpool lime street.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/88318332?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=buying&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY

leccybill · 27/05/2026 17:26

2 bedroom terraced house for sale in Thames Road, Sutton Leach, WA9 https://share.google/ec8qwm054Z19bKFZ9

Look at St Helens. Halfway between Liverpool and Manchester. Trains to Manchester from Lea Green. Easy transport links to everywhere, nice green spaces and good retail parks for shopping. The town centre is awful but its getting done up.
I've lived here 25 years and found the people kind and warm. Never been the victim of any crime. Housing is very cheap.

MsDastardley · 27/05/2026 17:34

Second St Helens area.

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