Opinion on new build flat

BuyLon

Hello all,

I am currently looking for a 2 bed property and my budget is limited and I think I can only go for a flat where I am. I don't drive so location is somewhat important. I was wondering what people's opinion is of this flat:

rightmove.co.uk/properties/87006171#/?channel=RES_NEW

It is an office block being turned into flats.

I have seen it and like it but have heard all the horror stories about new builds. There are no reviews of the house builder available online it seems: We Build Sussex:

we-build.uk/property-portfolio/

I thought about visiting one of their other developments to ask residents about their experiences but can't really make out if any of them have actually been built or where they are exactly.

Grateful for any advice or thoughts.

gm0

Remember its not all "new"

Conversions are increasingly common.  You need to be careful however.  As the degree to which the bones of the building are opened up and brought up to date - varies.  A lot.  Shiny decor over bodging.  Thermal insulation.  Ventilation. Noise.  Windows.  Roofs.  Are all things to look at very carefully

You can end up with dodgy squeaky floors ply overboarded with who knows what below

Windows which are (sneakily) demised to the flat in the lease but which are the old office windows and already "old" and blown or blowing. And yet you now own them.  Nice.

And many other "interesting" quirks of the commerical / agricultural / industrial past

Now historical quirks can be lovely and add character.  But the duplex at the front would need a great outlook to make it desirable. 

A flat is a flat.  It comes with constraints and an element of communal living.  The point of a flat generally includes not having stairs.  Or a bungalow or small house / town house would be the same without the flat downsides. 
Duplex flats are not as easy to sell (smaller target group).  And should trade at a mild discount area per area to reflect this

Lorian

How's it heated? Electric I guess.
Not buying one of the limited £20k parking spaces will limit the market on resale.
Lacks a lot of detail.

RAS

BuyLon said:

Hello all,

I am currently looking for a 2 bed property and my budget is limited and I think I can only go for a flat where I am. I don't drive so location is somewhat important. I was wondering what people's opinion is of this flat:

rightmove.co.uk/properties/87006171#/?channel=RES_NEW

It is an office block being turned into flats.

I have seen it and like it but have heard all the horror stories about new builds. There are no reviews of the house builder available online it seems: We Build Sussex:

we-build.uk/property-portfolio/

I thought about visiting one of their other developments to ask residents about their experiences but can't really make out if any of them have actually been built or where they are exactly.

Grateful for any advice or thoughts.

It's actually 87006147, but they've still used the CGI images of the 2 bedroom flat, so you've no idea what they've actually planned. Kinda lazy?

Although it's clear that the bedroom won't fit a double bed, which also restricts resale value.

Do you appreciate that it's share of freehold? 

bobster2

Before forming an opinion I'd want to see room dimensions on the floor plans.

For future rental potential (in case you want to move out and rent it out) the single bathroom/toilet could be a concern. Good new 2 beds might have a bathroom (with toilet) plus separate toilet.

bobster2

Before forming any opinion I'd want to see room dimensions on the floor plans.

For future rental potential (in case you want to move out and rent it out). The single bathroom/toilet could be a concern. Good new 2 beds might have a bathroom (with toilet) plus separate toilet.

BuyLon

Thanks all.

Yes, it is electric heating and share of freehold. I have seen one flat and both bedrooms are double, one being a bit smaller than the other.

RHemmings

I found that a very non-useful gallery on the page. Comparing to the floorplans, there should be workspaces in the kitchen area, but I can't see them. Where do stove, fridge, and washing machine (let alone dryer) go? Looking at the pictures, I'm not sure the scale is correct because they look like strange lenses to make things look bigger, even though they are CGI.

Someone I know had a small house in Lewes, but it was severely damaged by the serious flooding they had in 2000. You'd think they would have put better flood defenses in by now, but check for flood risk. 

BuyLon

Thank you. It's strange that the EA has not uploaded actual photos. 
Here are some pictures. Yeah, storage space is not really present much in the flat.

BuyLon

Any more thoughts on the place greatly appreciated, thank you.

MFWannabe

This is much better imo 
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/151830824#/?channel=RES_BUY