First time buyer, help me decide.

gwynlas

Flat 2 Small Balcony

Access to outside space no matter how small would be a deal clincher for me and other buyers going forward

[Deleted User]

gwynlas said:

Flat 2 Small Balcony

Access to outside space no matter how small would be a deal clincher for me and other buyers going forward

Yeah I think having the balcony is a massive bonus, even just coming home from work in the morning and eating my dinner out there would be pleasant. Plus the balcony isn't connected to another so I have my own actual space without one of those silly divided things.

Herzlos

How quiet is the balcony likely to be? If you can see yourself using it then that seems to be the one to go for. 

It'll also be great for drying laundry, etc. 

RHemmings

Herzlos said:

How quiet is the balcony likely to be? If you can see yourself using it then that seems to be the one to go for. 

It'll also be great for drying laundry, etc. 

Balconies are often good for growing plants. Decorative or for eating such as potatoes or tomatoes in bags. 

[Deleted User]

I just checked out Flat 1 and it's absolutely god awful. The floor is uneven, the skirting boards are falling off, the windows are sticky when opening them, the seals are pealing off, the walls sound like they're made of cardboard, they clearly used some kind of fish eye camera for the photos because it's much small than in the photos. 

That made the decision so much easier, Flat 2 100% no doubt about it. I've decided to take the plunge and just proceed with the tenant in situ, been told by the estate agent the landlord has a break clause so tenant has no fixed term. 

Worst case scenario I end up waiting 6 months or so, but the flat only have 1 point of contact and a balcony is such a deal clincher for me I think it's worth the risk.

[Deleted User]

Herzlos said:

How quiet is the balcony likely to be? If you can see yourself using it then that seems to be the one to go for. 

It'll also be great for drying laundry, etc. 

The balcony overlooks the residential car park area, mostly it'll just be people coming and going but it's kind of half sheltered by the structure of the flat. I'll definitely use it, mostly for drying my washing in the summer on an air rack and making enjoying a cup of tea in the morning after work

RHemmings

[Deleted User] said:

Herzlos said:

How quiet is the balcony likely to be? If you can see yourself using it then that seems to be the one to go for. 

It'll also be great for drying laundry, etc. 

The balcony overlooks the residential car park area, mostly it'll just be people coming and going but it's kind of half sheltered by the structure of the flat. I'll definitely use it, mostly for drying my washing in the summer on an air rack and making enjoying a cup of tea in the morning after work

That's definitely looking like 'I've decided' language there

Tiglet2

[Deleted User] said:

I just checked out Flat 1 and it's absolutely god awful. The floor is uneven, the skirting boards are falling off, the windows are sticky when opening them, the seals are pealing off, the walls sound like they're made of cardboard, they clearly used some kind of fish eye camera for the photos because it's much small than in the photos. 

That made the decision so much easier, Flat 2 100% no doubt about it. I've decided to take the plunge and just proceed with the tenant in situ, been told by the estate agent the landlord has a break clause so tenant has no fixed term. 

Worst case scenario I end up waiting 6 months or so, but the flat only have 1 point of contact and a balcony is such a deal clincher for me I think it's worth the risk.

Provided you are patient enough to wait for the tenant to leave, whether that's sooner or later depending on how willing or awkward the tenant wants to be, then this sounds like a great purchase.  Best of luck!

ExEstateAgent

Tabieth said:

I know nothing about storage heaters but, having being miserable (and poor!) in two different electric heated flats, never again. I’d never consider electric only unless it was an incredibly efficient eco home. 

I have an 'all electric' flat and it's fitted with Rointe oil filled rads. The flat seems well insulated (even though the EPC is a D) and I only need them on in the colder months. They are programmable so come on/off as required. 

ExEstateAgent

[Deleted User] said:

I just checked out Flat 1 and it's absolutely god awful. The floor is uneven, the skirting boards are falling off, the windows are sticky when opening them, the seals are pealing off, the walls sound like they're made of cardboard, they clearly used some kind of fish eye camera for the photos because it's much small than in the photos. 

That made the decision so much easier, Flat 2 100% no doubt about it. I've decided to take the plunge and just proceed with the tenant in situ, been told by the estate agent the landlord has a break clause so tenant has no fixed term. 

Worst case scenario I end up waiting 6 months or so, but the flat only have 1 point of contact and a balcony is such a deal clincher for me I think it's worth the risk.

Congratulations on your choice. It may be that the tenant is happy to leave and co-operative BUT you need to limit your costs until it's a certainty. I would be asking exactly what the position is and the timescale. Vague answers would make me concerned. Maybe view the flat again and ask the tenants yourself.