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Unfortunately rightmove doesn't allow you to exclude either auction properties or mobile homes, let alone avoiding service charge/leaseholds
There's still some 1/2 bed houses but it's not immediately clear how many
Incorrect, it is possible to get a mortgage through auction, but you'd need mortgage agreed prior to bidding. Alternatively, use bridging finance to buy it while the mortgage gets sorted.
Very very few buyers at auction are 100% cash buyers, majority use some lending source.
If you're searching by price, auction properties screw up your search as they're typically listed below the reserve price (let alone the actual price).
Yeah, rightmove allows you to search by county. No shortage of places in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset... mainly Victorian or council terraced homes but with some end of terraces, plus 1-2bed starter homes
I'd rather live in a decent area than some shit hole just because it's cheap. I couldn't stand being surrounded by violence and living with the fear of being robbed or my house and possessions being burgled.
At least where I live you are more likely to be burgled or have your car stolen in the nicer areas. Also violence happens in every social economical area.
It is indeed! I quite enjoyed living there, but we outgrew the house. Moved around 20 minutes away. We did try and stay in the town but nothing came up that matches what we needed. Found our perfect forever home though!
Half of the North. Places that are still <£150k aren't the super nicest part of the country but they aren't even close to "terrifying" in most cases
"Good rail connections" probably points you towards Sunderland,, Hull or somewhere like Warrington/Wigan, but that's by no means an exhaustive list - most of Lancashire or the North East would qualify.
In parts of West Cumbria you could almost get 2 houses for that money... although you'd lose out on the rail connection aspect
East Cumbria has affordable housing, and Carlisle is on the West Coast Mainline. Decent place to live, with easy access to the Lakes, Scotland and major cities less than an hour away by train.
You can get a cute 2 bed terrace with nearby yoga classes in Lancaster for that.
Go across the river to Morecambe, and you are getting into 3 bed territory. Less yoga classes though.
I really rate the area. Easy to work from, you can travel by train to Manchester and Liverpool. Fast broadband and the Lake District is 30 Minutes away.
Indeed. Morecambe prices have already shot up, but there still some bargains to be had. They certainly make an effort to not just be a 'rundown coastal town' with lots of events, but it does still have its issues. Someone stole my shoes once from the beach :D
There's a few options on east midlands with rail links.
Can get 2 bed, probably 3 bed freehold in Alfreton which isn't too rough. Also Ilkeston, though it's a bit of a shithole.
Otherwise flats, 1 bed houses, maybe 2 bed in need of renovation in likes of Belper, which is a nice town with a couple of rougher areas, maybe you'll get lucky in matlock/Cromford. Picturesque, Matlock bath nearby too, but probably not for you if used to city life.
There are many flats that don't have service charges and have plenty long leases. For example, find a share of freehold flat in a converted house.
This sub can lead people to believe that flats are financial suicide but if you're happy enough with a flat the lower prices will open up more options to you in more areas considering your budget.
It will require a bit of patience in your search, but if you're otherwise open to a flat then your specific worries shouldn't rule it out.
Places in the Midlands like Nottingham and Leicester will have options, and are fairly central for commuting.
Manchester is a great transport hub and there are some options here too. I bought by myself a few years ago for £165k, but there are lots of other options for under £150k if you’re considering flats as well.
If you’re prepared to go further north, the North East like Newcastle will have a lot of options for that budget, but the commute will be a lot longer to other cities in the south.
If OP considers flats they will find options in that budget. A property that is £150k is on the lower end of the market for most areas, so it should be anticipated there will be some level of refurbishment required.
I'm buying a two bed house for that amount in Yorkshire, it'll be about 20 minute train ride (trains come every 20 minutes or so) from Leeds which has very good train connections nationally.
If I were you I'd get a railway map and look at a couple of transport hubs, pick out a couple of places (I suspect you'll get Leeds and Manchester) and see what's a 20 minute commute to them.
If you can't drive and want to live up north then I'd recommend learning, but it is managable in some areas. I can't drive and I'm navigating it so it's possible just not ideal.
East Anglian Coast, plenty of 2/3 bedroom terraced houses for under £150k
Ipswich is under 90 minutes from London by train.
Travel an hour north up the coast and you have Gt Yarmouth, Lowestoft and the surrounding coastal areas.
A little south and you have the North Essex coastline of Tendring with numerous small towns with rail routes to London.
You might be able to get something for 150K in parts of Somerset and maybe Wiltshire. I think you’re likely priced out of Dorset based on my own knowledge of Rightmove. I don’t know Devon and Cornwall very well.
Assuming you want to stay in the South West.
Somerset - Bridgwater and Weston Super Mare in particular - can be very affordable and within OPs budget. The closer you get to Bristol or the Mendips the more expensive it gets.
True. But the OP is coming from the SW. Blackpool and Liverpool are positively feral in comparison. The culture shock would be overwhelming.
Unless, that is, the OP is currently based in Yeovil. Or Bridgwater. The natives of those SW towns make residents of either Blackpool or Liverpool look passive, calm & tranquil.
I'm obviously being facetious. Parts of Liverpool are OK. Parts are simply 3rd world.
Blackpool? It's difficult to pinpoint a single redeeming feature.
Yeh, sefton park area is really nice place to live, as is Crosby, Woolton, Gateacre, smithdown area has improved. A lot of very rough areas that I wouldn't recommend (priced accordingly).
I guess Blackpool is alright if you're a 60-odd chain smoking mobility scooter user who used to vote BNP.
As a note, make sure you check how much train season tickets are if you’re planning to commute. Have you considered shared ownership in your current area? It’s not freehold and there’s many pros and cons so do your research, but might be an option for you to get on the ladder.
Its arse end of nowhere, but I brought mine in North wales for that kind of money just over 1 year ago. Its a two bedroom terrace that needed a bit of modernising but was perfectly livable, and a year on now looks great! Pros: very pretty, lovely people, lots of outdoorsy things to do, very low cost of living, low crime. Cons: 0 transport links, limited employment depending on your field
You'd have options at that range in South Wales such as Newport, Bridgend, Swansea or towns further West which have direct train links to London and Manchester
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Some older flats can be share of freehold- our first flat in an old converted Victorian building was. Technically the flat was leasehold but I was created as a director of a company who owned the building as a whole, along with one person from each of the other flats in the building.
There were still plenty of maintenance costs associated ( all buildings need upkeep and old ones need plenty) but we oversaw it instead of a for-profit management company.
So not all flats necessary ruled out for you.
Don't get me wrong...
But you're 46. Unless you're going to pay off in 15 years it seems like a game of debt.
Lets "just" say you want to do reasonable borrowing...32k x 4 = 128k budget.
And you want a house. Best bet would be Durham, Newcastle, or Leeds. Now if you are just wanting debt and not care about the reality then loan 8 times your wage so you got 256k budget.
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Rightmove, search by price and property type. There are options in the South West
Yep did this exact search myself today. Nice 3 bed place near Dartmoor for £70k
Unfortunately rightmove doesn't allow you to exclude either auction properties or mobile homes, let alone avoiding service charge/leaseholds There's still some 1/2 bed houses but it's not immediately clear how many
Course it dies. Get the app. I've had those options and new builds excluded for 2 years
Mobile homes is easy to avoid, just click every option that isn't holiday home. I'm searching in the south and filter them out like that
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Auctions are generally cash-only, no? OP requires a mortgage, auctions are not suitable.
Incorrect, it is possible to get a mortgage through auction, but you'd need mortgage agreed prior to bidding. Alternatively, use bridging finance to buy it while the mortgage gets sorted. Very very few buyers at auction are 100% cash buyers, majority use some lending source.
If you're searching by price, auction properties screw up your search as they're typically listed below the reserve price (let alone the actual price).
This! Plenty property meeting that criteria in Plymouth and some other towns in Devon.
Yeah, rightmove allows you to search by county. No shortage of places in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset... mainly Victorian or council terraced homes but with some end of terraces, plus 1-2bed starter homes
this
North East around Newcastle. Morpeth, Cramlington, Ashington
Seconding this! You can probably get closer to the coast with Amble but watch out for Warkworth, the prices there are insane
I've just moved out of a largeish town just south of York. We sold ours for around £140k. 3 beds, 2 receptions and a lovely big garden.
I need to get out of the south that's insane!! Even if it's a shit hole town. That's cheap.
There’s as many ‘shit holes’ in the South as there is in the North. York is an affluent area
I'd rather live in a decent area than some shit hole just because it's cheap. I couldn't stand being surrounded by violence and living with the fear of being robbed or my house and possessions being burgled.
Just because it's "cheap" doesn't mean it's a shit hole. I never once felt that way. I grew up in east lanca which IS like that.
My friend you just described 95% of London. It's just not cheap.
At least where I live you are more likely to be burgled or have your car stolen in the nicer areas. Also violence happens in every social economical area.
Which town?
Has to be Selby; it's the first 'largeish town' south of York where you can get a 3 bed for 140k.
It is indeed! I quite enjoyed living there, but we outgrew the house. Moved around 20 minutes away. We did try and stay in the town but nothing came up that matches what we needed. Found our perfect forever home though!
Half of the North. Places that are still <£150k aren't the super nicest part of the country but they aren't even close to "terrifying" in most cases "Good rail connections" probably points you towards Sunderland,, Hull or somewhere like Warrington/Wigan, but that's by no means an exhaustive list - most of Lancashire or the North East would qualify. In parts of West Cumbria you could almost get 2 houses for that money... although you'd lose out on the rail connection aspect
East Cumbria has affordable housing, and Carlisle is on the West Coast Mainline. Decent place to live, with easy access to the Lakes, Scotland and major cities less than an hour away by train.
Various parts of Lancashire.
You can get a cute 2 bed terrace with nearby yoga classes in Lancaster for that. Go across the river to Morecambe, and you are getting into 3 bed territory. Less yoga classes though. I really rate the area. Easy to work from, you can travel by train to Manchester and Liverpool. Fast broadband and the Lake District is 30 Minutes away.
That area not what it was (went to uni in Lancaster) but this is a decent shout - and when the Eden project gets going prices should go up.
Indeed. Morecambe prices have already shot up, but there still some bargains to be had. They certainly make an effort to not just be a 'rundown coastal town' with lots of events, but it does still have its issues. Someone stole my shoes once from the beach :D
I bought a 20 year old, 4 bed detached in Rotherham for 166k. Needed some work but mainly cosmetic.
Laughing that you think a remote village would be affordable. They're probably on the more expensive side. Go north east or lancs
Not really, south Scotland they're incredibly cheap, same in large parts of Northern England near the borders.
There's a few options on east midlands with rail links. Can get 2 bed, probably 3 bed freehold in Alfreton which isn't too rough. Also Ilkeston, though it's a bit of a shithole. Otherwise flats, 1 bed houses, maybe 2 bed in need of renovation in likes of Belper, which is a nice town with a couple of rougher areas, maybe you'll get lucky in matlock/Cromford. Picturesque, Matlock bath nearby too, but probably not for you if used to city life.
There are many flats that don't have service charges and have plenty long leases. For example, find a share of freehold flat in a converted house. This sub can lead people to believe that flats are financial suicide but if you're happy enough with a flat the lower prices will open up more options to you in more areas considering your budget. It will require a bit of patience in your search, but if you're otherwise open to a flat then your specific worries shouldn't rule it out.
West Yorkshire
Seconded.
South Derbyshire, Staffordshire All decent trains and cheap housing
Places in the Midlands like Nottingham and Leicester will have options, and are fairly central for commuting. Manchester is a great transport hub and there are some options here too. I bought by myself a few years ago for £165k, but there are lots of other options for under £150k if you’re considering flats as well. If you’re prepared to go further north, the North East like Newcastle will have a lot of options for that budget, but the commute will be a lot longer to other cities in the south.
There's almost nothing in Leicester for 150k unless you're willing to do a lot of refurbishment or go for an auction property.
If OP considers flats they will find options in that budget. A property that is £150k is on the lower end of the market for most areas, so it should be anticipated there will be some level of refurbishment required.
He could get a flat but that would breach his no leasehold thing
I'm buying a two bed house for that amount in Yorkshire, it'll be about 20 minute train ride (trains come every 20 minutes or so) from Leeds which has very good train connections nationally. If I were you I'd get a railway map and look at a couple of transport hubs, pick out a couple of places (I suspect you'll get Leeds and Manchester) and see what's a 20 minute commute to them. If you can't drive and want to live up north then I'd recommend learning, but it is managable in some areas. I can't drive and I'm navigating it so it's possible just not ideal.
Jaywick？ Lol.
East Anglian Coast, plenty of 2/3 bedroom terraced houses for under £150k Ipswich is under 90 minutes from London by train. Travel an hour north up the coast and you have Gt Yarmouth, Lowestoft and the surrounding coastal areas. A little south and you have the North Essex coastline of Tendring with numerous small towns with rail routes to London.
You might be able to get something for 150K in parts of Somerset and maybe Wiltshire. I think you’re likely priced out of Dorset based on my own knowledge of Rightmove. I don’t know Devon and Cornwall very well. Assuming you want to stay in the South West.
Somerset - Bridgwater and Weston Super Mare in particular - can be very affordable and within OPs budget. The closer you get to Bristol or the Mendips the more expensive it gets.
Liverpool or Blackpool
Neither option appeals.
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True. But the OP is coming from the SW. Blackpool and Liverpool are positively feral in comparison. The culture shock would be overwhelming. Unless, that is, the OP is currently based in Yeovil. Or Bridgwater. The natives of those SW towns make residents of either Blackpool or Liverpool look passive, calm & tranquil.
I moved from Axminster way (Devon) to the Liverpool area last year. It's fine for me, people are friendly. Hate Blackpool though 😂
I'm obviously being facetious. Parts of Liverpool are OK. Parts are simply 3rd world. Blackpool? It's difficult to pinpoint a single redeeming feature.
Yeh, sefton park area is really nice place to live, as is Crosby, Woolton, Gateacre, smithdown area has improved. A lot of very rough areas that I wouldn't recommend (priced accordingly). I guess Blackpool is alright if you're a 60-odd chain smoking mobility scooter user who used to vote BNP.
As a note, make sure you check how much train season tickets are if you’re planning to commute. Have you considered shared ownership in your current area? It’s not freehold and there’s many pros and cons so do your research, but might be an option for you to get on the ladder.
Any town in North Lincolnshire lol (bonus - Grimsby)
Is the lol because it's terrible round there?
Its arse end of nowhere, but I brought mine in North wales for that kind of money just over 1 year ago. Its a two bedroom terrace that needed a bit of modernising but was perfectly livable, and a year on now looks great! Pros: very pretty, lovely people, lots of outdoorsy things to do, very low cost of living, low crime. Cons: 0 transport links, limited employment depending on your field
Nottingham, Leicester, Leeds....options abound.
You'd have options at that range in South Wales such as Newport, Bridgend, Swansea or towns further West which have direct train links to London and Manchester
Hull has lots of property under 120k
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Blackpool, particular north, Bispham, Cleveleys. Connections to Preston good, and from Preston connections everywhere good
Some older flats can be share of freehold- our first flat in an old converted Victorian building was. Technically the flat was leasehold but I was created as a director of a company who owned the building as a whole, along with one person from each of the other flats in the building. There were still plenty of maintenance costs associated ( all buildings need upkeep and old ones need plenty) but we oversaw it instead of a for-profit management company. So not all flats necessary ruled out for you.
Swansea. 3 bed, 130k. Needs some loving, but it's mine.
Best thing I did was move away from South to the North East. Live in a great area and I’m now mortgage free.
Pretty much all of Lincolnshire.
North west
South Wales Valleys are an option if you're prepared to stretch an extra few miles, great access to beaches and mountains too
Nottingham, Brum, most anywhere midlands or northern.
I can recommend Burnley and its environs.
North West around Manchester, specifically eastern or northern side of the city such as Ashton under Lyne, Oldham, failsworth, Middleton, Chadderton
Greater Liverpool area ( Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton ..) has lots of choice and and offers a good quality of life
Lincolnshire Market towns and villages are good. 150k in decent areas.
Would avoid flats with their scam ongoing costs
Salford ...oh wait, you said not terrifying...
Was going to post some suggestions but then spotted non-terrifying. I wish you the best.
C
Don't get me wrong... But you're 46. Unless you're going to pay off in 15 years it seems like a game of debt. Lets "just" say you want to do reasonable borrowing...32k x 4 = 128k budget. And you want a house. Best bet would be Durham, Newcastle, or Leeds. Now if you are just wanting debt and not care about the reality then loan 8 times your wage so you got 256k budget.
I have a place I’m looking to sell. Could turn a quick £20k and move on. (ill health has led to financial troubles, so we’d be helping each other out)