First time buyer advice

sarm333

Howdy,

Just wondering if I can get opinions on this apartment that I have just reserved (off-plan):

media.rightmove.co.uk/2k/1951/53196173/1951_WCP103571_DOC_02_0003[dot]pdf

In particular, I went for the largest apartment, Utopia. At 52 sqm, I can't help but think this apartment will turn out to be really small. The estate agent said that these are underestimated measurements so we can expect it to be a bit bigger on completion. Is this quite small for a two bedroom apartment for myself and my partner?

Also, in general, would you say £320k is an alright price for this apartment?

Many thanks in advance,

Sarm

LateStarter

sarm333 wrote: »

The estate agent said that these are underestimated measurements so we can expect it to be a bit bigger on completion.

Do NOT believe a word of it unless it's on paper. How big? 52.5? 53? It's 52sq.mt until you see a final plan that says otherwise. Anything else is marketing babble.

sarm333

51.96 sqm to be exact. Not too fussed if this was the final size, but was just wondering if this was an appropriate size for 2-3 persons to live in?

Thanks for your advice as I know sales can really be fluffy at times.

Baby_Angel

Sorry can't check your link right now. We (3 adults and one child) live in a 58 sq.m terraced house. I know you said yours is a flat. Ours is not big, "through" lounge, kitchen, 2 bedrooms and one bathroom. All decent sizes. Just about enough. However we do have the fairly big loftspace and a small garden house for all the clutter. Otherwise we won't be able to move much around :-)

fairy_lights

I copied and pasted the link but it didn't work

BlaEm

Here's the link:
http://media.rightmove.co.uk/2k/1951/53196173/1951_WCP103571_DOC_02_0003.pdf

It really depends how much stuff / clutter you guys have - I would struggle as I'm a hoarder It might be worth seeing if there's a loft, which you may be able to access if you're on the top floor?

If you really want to gauge the size, why not try and find a similar sized apartment on Rightmove etc and book a viewing? It may be easier to visualise the space if you can see something similar in the 'flesh'.

As for the price - usual advice of checking out recent sold prices, in particular for any other new build developments in that area. Be aware that you'll be paying a premium for a new build, which means second hand value will likely drop in the short term. Not a problem if you're planning on staying for a while.

Also, make sure you're comfortable with the service charge - a concierge and communal grounds don't come cheap, I imagine..

SquirrelSmall

I live in a 47 sq.m apartment. It is a one bedroom and there's just me. I'd be hard pressed to share the space with someone else, as much as anything else from a storage perspective. That said, I know I'm lucky!

fairy_lights

The living room/kitchen space looks small - on the plan I can see a table and chairs and a sofa but can't even work out where all the kitchen appliances go! They must be tucked up along the wall.
If it's just you and a partner I don't think it's too bad because you can always use the second bedroom as storage or living space, but For a couple with a child I'd say it was way too small.
Some of the flats in that brochure are shockingly tiny, most of the bedrooms don't even look big enough to fit a wardrobe in.

libf

I currently live in a 48.8sqm 1 bed flat by myself, which I'm selling because I want somewhere bigger with a garden. It's being bought by a couple with a baby. If it's what you can afford, it's what you can afford.

On that link I think the Univers looks a better layout...

Owain_Moneysaver

sarm333 wrote: »

The estate agent said that these are underestimated measurements so we can expect it to be a bit bigger on completion.

Yeah, right.

There's no kitchen, so the noise of the washing machine will be in the lounge (and vibrating through the wall to one of the bedrooms).

Your visitors will be able to see into the bedrooms as they walk from the front door into the lounge, unless you keep the doors shut.

It looks like both the bedrooms have party walls to neighbours' flats, so may be noisy.

Peak rate electric heating.

Rambosmum

Depends what you want but to me it looks very small. Too small for 3 adults, and where on earth would you put toys, pram, baby stuff if the third person is a child.

I'm quite against new builds anyway but if you like them then that's fine, they do lose value in the first few years though. Also how long before you can move in? It may suit your lifestyle now, but what about in a year?