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24 m2 ... Too small?

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Comments

  • jaqui59
    jaqui59 Posts: 393 Forumite
    The word "studio" keeps popping up, and I guess it probably is a glorified studio, like the ones you see advertised with a "sleeping area" rather than a bedroom.

    Its not in the best area of town, its ex local authority, (although an attractive 1987 built construction of red brick under a slate roof) and im now thinking it is way overpriced at £125,000 .. DD was considering an offer of £118,000. There is 100 years left on the lease, and the costs are £31 per quarter with any costs of major works being split between 14 flats. I rang the council, and apparently there is quite a sizeable job coming up in about 3 years which will cost each lessee about £1000.00.

    Im doing some research for her this morning whilst she is working, and ive just noticed that a flat in the same block sold for £96,000 last year July :eek: I know that was a year ago, but the price difference between then and now is very significant I think?

    My main concerns for her are the possibility that it might be umortgageable, and the bedroom which isn't really a bedroom, and now the £125,000 price tag, for what is probably more a studio flat rather than a 1 bedroomed flat.

    By the way im reading all the replies with interest, keep em comin' :)
    Some days I wake up Grumpy ... Other days I let him lie in.
  • Angelicdevil
    Angelicdevil Posts: 1,707 Forumite
    OP, my flat is c50m2 with great storage facilities and it's great for just one person and their stuff. But add another person in and you'd be getting on each others nerves and you'd struggle to store two peoples belongings.

    If she can wait to find a larger property then I'd say that's the best thing to do, or look in another location.

    p.s. do you have a link to the property?
    I have a simple philosophy:
    Fill what's empty. Empty what's full. Scratch where it itches.
    - Alice Roosevelt Longworth
  • googler
    googler Posts: 16,103 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 22 August 2013 at 11:59AM
    jaqui59 wrote: »
    Bedroom 2.54 by 2.46

    OK, that gets a standard double bed in (just) with some room to move around it (1.35 x 1.90), but the dimensions are measured into the 'recess', and I can't imagine the bed will go into the recess, so .... where does the furniture go for storage of clothes? Where will your daughter put her shoes?

    Unless there's a brace of cupboards and storage areas elsewhere, where will two people put all their stuff? As the poster above says; ironing board; iron; clothes airer; vacuum cleaner; all the domestic stuff that's needed. That's before you even start to consider what hobbies or leisure interests they might have, and for which they need storage.....
  • martinsurrey
    martinsurrey Posts: 3,368 Forumite
    jaqui59 wrote: »
    .
    DD was considering an offer of £118,000.

    My main concerns for her are the possibility that it might be umortgageable, and the bedroom which isn't really a bedroom, and now the £125,000 price tag, for what is probably more a studio flat rather than a 1 bedroomed flat.



    wow

    £4.9k per sqm

    RUN, RUN AND HIDE
  • jaqui59
    jaqui59 Posts: 393 Forumite
    googler wrote: »
    OK, that gets a standard double bed in (just) with some room to move around it (1.35 x 1.90), but the dimensions are measured into the 'recess', and I can't imagine the bed will go into the recess, so .... where does the furniture go for storage of clothes? Where will your daughter put her shoes?

    Unless there's a brace of cupboards and storage areas elsewhere, where will two people put all their stuff?

    I went to view it with her, and in the room was a 5ft bed butting up against two walls .. One of those walls accommodating a double radiator. There was also a three door wardrobe, and just as you go into the room where the recess is, there is a approx 2ft wide floor to ceiling built in cupboard which was being used as a wardrobe and for shoe storage, but then I thought ok, how on earth do you ever keep this room clean, you have nowhere to move the bed to enable to hoover underneath it. In my mind the bedroom is definitely a major issue, for now and future resaleability, and I think the price is way way out!!
    Some days I wake up Grumpy ... Other days I let him lie in.
  • fionajbanana
    fionajbanana Posts: 1,611 Forumite
    Except that OP has stated her daughters boyfriend would also be living there with her daughter.

    4' wide bed isn't big enough for a couple.

    My friend and her dh sleep on a 4ft bed. But they are 5ft 4 and 5ft 7.5 respectively (plus slim) and sleep on their sides.

    It would not be suitable for my parents 5ft 7 and 6ft 3.
  • essjae
    essjae Posts: 54 Forumite
    Hi,
    I have been in a flat with similar room dimensions to this one (in fact, it is the one above my own flat!), and I would say that it may be worth considering as a purchase, but dependent on a few things:

    1) Layout of bedroom - could you fit double bed + wardrobe in at all? A 3/4 size is too small for two people living together really. What about a double bunk bed? ie, where you have a double bed on stilts and a desk / chest of drawers and wardrobe underneath.

    2) Location - with a flat this small, I'd want to be right in the centre of town, so its easy to nip to the shops / go out for dinner / etc.

    3) Is buying the best option? Ie - would it be cheaper per month on a mortgage, or would the rent for a similar place be lower? Unless rent is significantly higher, I'd be saving up until I could afford somewhere bigger. Which leads on to:

    4) How long are they going to stay there? Most people are not going to want to live in a 1-bed flat long term. If they are thinking of starting a family, it is do-able for a year or two while the baby is small, but they're going to need a second bedroom at some point. Add up all the costs of buying and subsequently selling this place, moving house etc, divide over the expected length of ownership (2 years? 5 years?), and add to the figure for the mortgage per month. Still cheaper than renting?

    The patio is definitely a bonus, and does mean you can get away with less space indoors. Funiture can be chosen with storage in mind, eg coffee table with drawers, sofa-bed for occasional guests (or disagreements!)

    The price looks very high if a comparable flat was sold for 96k a year ago - unless prices in the area have shot up in the meantime, or the flat previously sold was significantly smaller/poor condition/no outside space, I would consider 100k to be my max price, and I would aim to pay 95k or less, probably go in at 85 - 90k as a first offer.
  • fionajbanana
    fionajbanana Posts: 1,611 Forumite
    I live alone and most of my free time is spent indoors and I buy in bulk. A tiny studio will do my head in. Esp being off sick from work for over a month now.

    I had a look on my epc cert and my 2 bed place is 60m2.
  • jaqui59
    jaqui59 Posts: 393 Forumite
    googler wrote: »
    Unless there's a brace of cupboards and storage areas elsewhere,

    There are two good sized floor to ceiling cupboards in the hallway, one was being used for bedding and towels, and the other had a tumble dryer in there, and I think if my memory is serving me right, the ironing board, brooms, washing basket etc The shower room also has a good amount of cupboards in there.

    There is also another little floor to ceiling one in the hallway, about 1ft wide with shelves in it.

    In answer to another posters question, there is a shed outside on the patio which is a reasonable size, about 6ft wide by 3ft deep, and you could put clumsy items in there like your luggage etc.
    Some days I wake up Grumpy ... Other days I let him lie in.
  • hazyjo
    hazyjo Posts: 15,475 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Is she just desperate for a home of their own? Have they looked at just one or two?

    Encourage her to look at other properties. Show her this thread if you have to ;)

    Sounds high, but then Herts can be pricey.

    If the council are saying a grand, add a few more. They always seem to bump these things up or include other works. Lots of threads here mentioning council flats and service charges for private owners.

    What area in Herts? We can recommend others she might not have considered and help search...

    Jx
    2024 wins: *must start comping again!*
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