Property Snakes and Ladders; 2009

PasturesNew

Natasha - wants it done as quickly as possible.

"I am thoroughly pleased with the builders, but I don't want people slowing down, otherwise it will drag on and on and on"

Concrete slab for the lounge - builders warned her it will take longer to dry than she's allowing for. Beeny points out it will be a millimetre per day and she has 76mm - so minimum of 2 months before she can lay the floor. "That doesn't fit my schedule...." says Natasha.

Beeny says there is a quicker way. Go back to what people used to do - have a suspended floor. Joists across, put insulation between the joists, layer of plywood, then lay the flooring on top of that. More expensive in terms of labour, cheaper in materials - but it's quicker.

Natasha gets straight onto it.

PasturesNew

Aaand ... good old Rick.

Structural work in the loft is done, so decorators are in. Some second fix. Rick is fitting doors - when converting a loft you have to ensure all doors to exit are fire retardant - but Rick has chosen different doors. He wanted 4-panel doors, £50 each. "They do look quite cheap, I just think at £900-950k ... people are going to expect top end".

They still have the original period doors - most councils, with consultation, will allow you fireproof (intumesent) paint on the original doors.

£50/door to do, so no more expensive than the cheap doors he's installed but the finish will be superior.

Beeny has done this on lots of houses on Wandsworth.

Rick says they will discuss it.

GracieP

Houses for sale in the vicinity of the one I think is Natasha's.

http://houseprices.nestoria.co.uk/kt22/property/buy/targetlistingtype-buy

lostinrates

They said Wandsworth for that house PN.

poet123

The house is the one linked to.

Is it me, or does her mother looked "surgeried out"!!

GracieP

Yup, that's it. Currently on with 2 agents for £439,950. And significantly over-priced compared to it's neighbours.

Eta; Obviously her renting it out didn't work out as it's been back on since this February.

fc123

Fantastic...I haven't read the thread yet as going to watch it on catch up asap. Also Mary Portas on which I can't wait to watch on catch up too.

PasturesNew

Early 2008 and Natasha's ambitions are looking impossible to achieve.

"I believe that the house I have created is better than I anticipated ... £475k should be achievable."

"I don't think she's got a chance in hell of selling at £475k even though she's worked flat out."

They just showed it - yes, GracieP's link is the right one: http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-12017463.html

May 2008 and it was finished.

Beeny goes over the figures:
Paid: £330k
Budget: £80k
Spent: £105k
Their estimate: £475k
Agents: asking £450k, £440k, £430k. Average £440k
Meaning: £5k loss to £15k profit.

Natasha: "I think those figures are quite low .. I believe it is worth more than the figures that have been said"
Mother says: "Hopefully we will improve on those figures, we think it's worth a little bit more"
Beeny says: "My gut feeling is to put it on just under the £450k".

Natasha puts it on at £475k, four weeks later she decided to rent it out.

PasturesNew

lostinrates wrote: »

They said Wandsworth for that house PN.

Oh, I keep hearing Battersea - it's all "London" to me I'm afraid. No idea what's where at all

lostinrates

PasturesNew wrote: »

Oh, I keep hearing Battersea - it's all "London" to me I'm afraid. No idea what's where at all

It is to lots, even some who live there. Its funny because I remember the extreme flexibilty of ''south chelsea'' and ''west chelsea''. (made up ares, to cover those now ''posh'' areas in their own right, when they were less so) And I'm hardly ancient.