Found a house to buy, concerned about the area

[xmxtom]

Hi,

After many months of searching, I found a house to buy in Brentwood, I booked a viewing and while the house itself looked good, I immediately started to feel concerned about the area, even though at the time of viewing I didn't notice anything wrong.

On the adjacent road there is a housing estate (67% SH) with multiple buildings of flats and a massive tower block overlooking the garden.
This tower is literally behind the garden.

While I don't have an issue with high buildings or SH, I can't ignore the fact that in this postcode there is a very high crime rate according to the official statistics (128 crimes per 1,000 residents ).

Is there anyone familiar with this area? Is it that bad?

Thank you!

I don't know the area, but having previoulsy lived in the 'perfect' house in a regeneration area, I would strongly advise listening to your gut! Can you drive round at different times of the day?. Personally I wouldn't buy it, but like I say I'm not familiar with the area at all.

I don’t know the area but it’s overshadowed by that huge tower block which is unsightly. Why not knock on the neighbours doors or ask what the area is like at the local shops. Pop round there one evening.

Don't buy. Area matters hugely.

Obviously don"t buy! A second option would be negotiate a very large discount in case you decide to sell up sooner rather than later, to cushion your losses, but if you feel lke this already just walk away.

Go with your gut

You should feel excited and optimistic about a new home, not grappling with niggling doubts from the outset.

My relative has happily lived in Brentwood for many years and I have visited often. It looks like the property is 58 or 60 Weald Road CM14 4TH.
They both seem okay for flood risk i.e. low. I checked as I noticed on Google maps that the road slopes downward steeply.
I think it would probably be fine, as it is such a short walk into the town centre from there. The crime probably relates to entertainment venues in the town centre as much as anything else.
The SH blocks in the adjacent street are not that tall. Can you see them from your windows? Brentwood is generally an affluent area.
I did notice that there is a Wedding venue/Social Club very nearby but it seems to have its own parking.
Visiting at different times of day would probably be a good idea but the actual road going away from the town centre direction actually turns rural very quickly and a lot of the properties look like they are owner-occupied. Try walking along the road on streetview.
Good luck.

Yes location, location, location but people usually have to compromise on some things because money and house type supply is finite.
If you don't mind a main road (it has parking), it is convenient walking distance of town centre. Perfect for commuting to London.
I notice they are on at Guide price £450-475k. I would look at the last price paid(it was lower than that!) and not offer too high if you do go ahead.

We chose house over location. Location became worse, so we next chose location and compromised on the house.

I’ve chosen house over location before and would never do it again. Go with your gut, as others have said.

Looking at the 2021 price history shows that this is seriously overpriced.

Always location, location, location. The worst house in the best street, over the best house in the worst street.

Even if it was a lovely area, would you really want a huge tower block at the end of your garden?

Don't buy this and follow your instinct.

It is always wise to prioritise location and choose the best area/street you can afford and lower your expectations about the house.

Because you can improve/update a house over time but you can't do anything to change a dodgy area by yourself.

Exactly as above, always worst house on best street you can afford.

Let it go. You’re already worried. You can change almost everything about a house except its location.

Don’t get seduced by a dream home in a borderline area and find yourself miserably trapped there with problematic neighbours and high crime around you. There are threads on this exact subject on here regularly - and one running right now, where the poor OP is desperately unhappy in her own home. It becomes a prison rather than a refuge if you can’t escape threats or antisocial behaviour.

I know nothing about Brentford and it might be lovely, but if I had a bad feeling about an area (justified or not!), I’d never move there. It’s just not worth the risk.

I live nearby, that location is an absolutely fine.

The only point I will add is the junction and road off the high street gets quite congested.

It's Brentwood not Brentford and it is an affluent area with a Tory MP easily commutable into London.

The garden is like a goldfish bowl, with properties on both sides overlooking you, the tower block will be visible for at least 6 months a year (deciduous trees will only be foliated from end April - Oct ).

It isn't a good investment and when you come to seek these problems will come back to haunt you. Any concerns you have, future purchasers will have too.