slightly cold feet

slopemaster

I plan to live in it for at least 2-3 years, I know I'll be here that long. After that depends on job, so maybe longer, maybe not.
The flat looks fairly grim and has an odd layout and dated kitchen and bathroom, which I think accounts for the price. But its in exactly the area I want, is the least expensive I've seen, and I think with some building work the odd layout could be OK

slopemaster

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-23086343.html?pageNumber=7&backToListURL=%2Fproperty-for-sale%2Ffind.html%3FlocationIdentifier%3DOUTCODE%255E2137%26minBedrooms%3D0%26maxBedrooms%3D2%26minPrice%3D100000%26maxPrice%3D200000%26displayPropertyType%3Dflats%26oldDisplayPropertyType%3Dflats%26index%3D60&propertyType=flats&locationIdentifier=OUTCODE^2137&maxBeds=2&radius=0.0&maxPrice=200000&minPrice=100000&minBeds=0

slopemaster

If you look on floorplan you will see 'bedroom' next to kitchen on one floor; bathroom next to living room on floor above. Thats what i mean by odd.
Plan is to either
*switch round kitchen and bathroom, or
*open up between kitchen and 'bedroom' and use this room as dining room/study, whilst using the big upstairs room as bed/living room - which is how it is set up at the moment.
This is why I want advice from a builder.
And i am hoping this is why it is difficult to sell.

Entertainer

Are you sure it's not a short lease? 1970's 99 years, you know, could be. Also the fact that you don't know what the management situation with the block is, is a bit of a worry. The roof could need replacing and you'd be sent a big bill.

I remember your post from before.

slopemaster

88-year lease.
(So I'm guessing it was 125-years in 1972?)
thats what I've been told, anyway - yet to get it in writing

pinkshoes

1. It looks ghastly
2. 1 bedroom flats have a very limited market (singles, childless couples)
3. 2 - 3 years isn't long to be staying in a home
4. The bedroom is TINY!

What exactly do you like about this property?

Personally I prefer this one, which is about 1/2 a mile away:
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-19002866.html?locationIdentifier=POSTCODE%5E694537&maxPrice=120000&radius=0.5&pageNumber=1&backToListURL=%2Fproperty-for-sale%2Ffind.html%3FlocationIdentifier%3DPOSTCODE%255E694537%26maxPrice%3D120000%26radius%3D0.5

poppysarah

Communal repair bill coming up?

mrcow

It looks a horrible place to live tbh. Pokey and grim. And by your own admission you're going to have to completely overhaul it.

There is no way I'd pay anything close to that for something so bad.

Shop around a bit more.

Why do you want a flat? The average UK property is losing over £700 per week at present. Have you budgeted in these losses - they are going to continue whilst the sale is proceding too.

Save up some more until you afford something that is actually nice.

penguine

If you only plan on staying there 2-3 years, you're taking a big risk. The current recession may last till 2010 or 2011 -- and while we're in recession prices are highly likely to fall (much) further.

And personally I would never recommend buying a 1-bed flat. They quickly become unsuitable if your circumstances change. And once prices fall, a 1-bed flat is going to be difficult to shift -- people who've got the money to buy will be looking at larger properties.

And hasn't Reading had a big property boom in the last decade? So it's due for a big crash.

Plus that building looks really, really ugly.

barnaby-bear

slopemaster wrote: »

If you look on floorplan you will see 'bedroom' next to kitchen on one floor; bathroom next to living room on floor above. Thats what i mean by odd.
Plan is to either
*switch round kitchen and bathroom, or
*open up between kitchen and 'bedroom' and use this room as dining room/study, whilst using the big upstairs room as bed/living room - which is how it is set up at the moment.
This is why I want advice from a builder.
And i am hoping this is why it is difficult to sell.

Why did they swap the bedroom/lounge. Odd to have the bedroom downstairs. Is the Lounge (presumably the original bedroom) below another flat? Has that flat above got laminate (i.e. a herd of elephants sound proofing issue) - can't think why you would swap them in the first place unless the 1st floor room is not good as a bedroom because of a noise problem.