First time buyer: one bedroom in London

davidmcn

redefinr said:

I'm going to give a call to these guys tomorrow:
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-70640931.html

Interesting property in Islington (very near King Cross). It thick all my requests, decent space and great positioning.

Positioned next door to a pub though.

Crashy_Time

redefinr said:

I will be quite honest, I've seen few properties for rent in Croydon for rent last year - there are nice houses and the trains situation is pretty good...but I don't like Croydon as an area. I don't know but there is something that just doesn't make me feel it?

I'm going to give a call to these guys tomorrow:
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-70640931.html

Interesting property in Islington (very near King Cross). It thick all my requests, decent space and great positioning. There is quite a massive terrace too - that could be handy for the next pandemic. £350K is a bit high for me, I would take it for 330.

300 would be more realistic.

redefinr

I spoke with the EA yesterday which was quite helpful. I've found out the service charge is very minimal (£600pa) and ground rent (£100pa) which is great considering council taxes are a bit high in Islington. He sent me a video tour, I knew he was going to shoot it with a wide angle Iphone. I really like the property I know the pub is next door but that's not a major issue for me. My only concern is I'm not a big fan of ground floor flats and I also have the feeling the seller it's this guy:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/dec/26/landlord-submit-140-applications-flats-lawful-andrew-panayi-islington
I was one of his tenant for a while, he's a notorious landlord of Isligton and he is well known for his lawless houses...so I'm a bit worried the property could have some serious problems..

Here's some images from the balcony (very spacious!) the entrance of the building and a weird thing on the bathroom floor.

jimbog

You can check the name of the owner by paying £3 on the Land Registry website:
https://eservices.landregistry.gov.uk/eservices/FindAProperty/view/QuickEnquiryInit.do
What is the view when you are on the terrace? It seems enclosed. What's behind it?
I think it looks tatty to be honest- and the pub would be a non-no for me. 
Could you quote the address?

redefinr

jimbog said:

You can check the name of the owner by paying £3 on the Land Registry website:
https://eservices.landregistry.gov.uk/eservices/FindAProperty/view/QuickEnquiryInit.do
What is the view when you are on the terrace? It seems enclosed. What's behind it?
I think it looks tatty to be honest- and the pub would be a non-no for me. 
Could you quote the address?

It is indeed a bit tatty - and yes it's kinda enclosed between buildings, it's not amazing but it's a nice extra to the property.
It's closed mainly but the end bit it's opened.
I think it can do with a bit of cleaning around and make it a bit homely.
I may pay the 3 quid and find out who owns it, just for peace of mind. I may try and shoot it for £330.
I m
This also is not too far: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-70789767.html which is freehold (no ground rent) with £2k pa service charge... it looks like a social housing which I'm not a huge fan of...

NinjaTune

I don't like the look of the first one at all.  What is all that stuff dangling off the wall in your last picture?  Not keen on the kitchen/living area - why would you want to sit on the sofa and look at a galley kitchen?  I prefer the second one to be honest, nice big. bright room that can be 'sectioned' into a bedroom and living area.  Balcony is an okay size and at least it overlooks the 'pretty' side of the street

jimbog

I would hate to think what could be under that decking, I'm not sure I would enjoy sitting out there. The second is nicer.

numbercruncher8

I think the problem with the deck is that it isn't a proper enclosed space, there will be some repairs needed over time. The photo on the listing shows the wall new, now as we can see there seems to be a lot of damp. 
It could be an good outdoor space (for this part of London) and makes the overall footprint a lot larger, but needs a bit of cash thrown at it.

Personally I would be inclined to hold out, I would think there may be a few more ex-rentals like this hitting the market when the furlough scheme ends. But if you can't wait, you may as well try and get a good price for it.

Crashy_Time

numbercruncher8 said:

I think the problem with the deck is that it isn't a proper enclosed space, there will be some repairs needed over time. The photo on the listing shows the wall new, now as we can see there seems to be a lot of damp. 
It could be an good outdoor space (for this part of London) and makes the overall footprint a lot larger, but needs a bit of cash thrown at it.

Personally I would be inclined to hold out, I would think there may be a few more ex-rentals like this hitting the market when the furlough scheme ends. But if you can't wait, you may as well try and get a good price for it.

Yes, definitely hold back for a while, there will be more discounts on this sort of stuff coming IMO.

redefinr

How do you even register for the H M Land Registry?