Where can you buy a detached property in England for under £160,000?

glasgowdan

I couldn't care less if there are dishes in the sink when I view a house. What's that got to do with it? Any house I buy will be thoroughly cleaned anyway. I'm looking at the structure, layout, location and potential, not bolognese marks on the table or pants on a radiator

OneYorkshireLass

glasgowdan wrote: »

I couldn't care less if there are dishes in the sink when I view a house. What's that got to do with it? Any house I buy will be thoroughly cleaned anyway. I'm looking at the structure, layout, location and potential, not bolognese marks on the table or pants on a radiator

Because I wonder how serious the buyer is about selling. Fair enough if it's rented, but when it's occupied by the owner it makes me think they're not that bothered. And if they're not that bothered about keeping it clean, how many things are wrong with it that the eye can't see?
I viewed a house last year where the owners had 'speculatively' (I found out later) put it on the market - a complete waste of time for everyone - and it was filthy - had to navigate a washing line of smalls in the dining room, there was a shower in a cupboard (!) that was leaking into the hallway, couldn't see the floor in one room for junk.

YOU might be looking at the structure, layout etc, but a LOT of buyers take one look at rooms full of junk and walk out of the door. A well presented house is going to sell much faster than a hovel.

glasgowdan

I'd probably see evidence of kids and realise they're just very short of time! As far as hidden problems go, if the house is lived in I tend to appreciate that anything that's important gets fixed, and anything unimportant is likely to get changed by new buyers anyway.

I just honestly, 100%, do not pay attention to that stuff when viewing.

As a seller I'd absolutely make sure it's clean and sparkling for each viewing as I know a lot of people care about that sort of thing and it might help me make more money!

moneyistooshorttomention

OneYorkshireLass wrote: »

Because I wonder how serious the buyer is about selling. Fair enough if it's rented, but when it's occupied by the owner it makes me think they're not that bothered. And if they're not that bothered about keeping it clean, how many things are wrong with it that the eye can't see?
I viewed a house last year where the owners had 'speculatively' (I found out later) put it on the market - a complete waste of time for everyone - and it was filthy - had to navigate a washing line of smalls in the dining room, there was a shower in a cupboard (!) that was leaking into the hallway, couldn't see the floor in one room for junk.

YOU might be looking at the structure, layout etc, but a LOT of buyers take one look at rooms full of junk and walk out of the door. A well presented house is going to sell much faster than a hovel.

My thoughts precisely:T - ie if what I can see is tatty - then what about what I cant see?

Ahem...though, in the event, the house I bought recently was "badly presented" to say the least and I rather took the view (being located where it is) that it was going to take forever to sell if that was how it was presented. Yep....I did move in in the event and find vendor was a paid-up member of "Bodgers 'R Us". When you get told soon after moving in that your roof could have collapsed on you (courtesy of bodging) - if it hadn't been for your cynical temperament causing you to take an expert look at it pdq and putting matters right. Add that you could spot yourself that one of your ceilings was going to start collapsing imminently - if you hadnt promptly got someone in for a repair costing the huge amount of £50!!!

knightstyle

I looked at a house in the 70s and it was well prepared for a viewing but the main bedroom had larger than life photos on every wall of the lady of the house naked in various poses!
Must admit I went back for a second viewing with a mate just for another look! Well I was young then!

Davesnave

glasgowdan wrote: »

t
I just honestly, 100%, do not pay attention to that stuff when viewing.

Neither do I, but that said, many properties I've viewed have been places with farm animals, or worse still, equestrian.

"Say no more!" when it comes to the horsey folk! :rotfl:

stephanieharris

Forget about finding a 2/3 bed detached around London and Essex for less than £200k. It's almost impossible!

Davesnave

stephanieharris wrote: »

Forget about finding a 2/3 bed detached around London and Essex for less than £200k. It's almost impossible!

Not necessarily a bad thing.

Lots of Essex folk where I live, who are really happy they made the leap of faith to 'something completely different.'

For a start, two schools rated outstanding and no problem getting a place in either. Good community spirit, low crime rates and little pollution are just a few other benefits.

Yes, there's down-sides too, as there have to be, such as quite long journeys to places of employment, or anything resembling a supermarket, but at least the traffic moves!

moneyistooshorttomention

stephanieharris wrote: »

Forget about finding a 2/3 bed detached around London and Essex for less than £200k. It's almost impossible!

Not just there unfortunately.

In my home city - it would be a totally pointless exercise to scan anything under £250k on Rightmove (for which I just "might" get a house that just about qualifies as detached in an area that just about qualifies as reasonable enough to live in - but I wouldnt bet on it).

For what I would be looking for - it would be pointless unless I had at least £350,000 available for the house itself and I wouldn't be unduly surprised at having to spend up to £450,000. That's just for an "ordinary" level house - nothing special. Just 2-3 bedrooms/small garden/single garage.

I can't quite believe those figures myself - but...yep....that's what it takes:mad:

Davesnave

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I can't quite believe those figures myself - but...yep....that's what it takes:mad:

Prices reflect what people want, so all you are saying is that others want what you want.