SINGLE first-time buyers on a tight budget can scoop up a bargain property for under £50,000.
Stumping up the deposit alone is no mean feat but you’ll only need £5,000 for a 10% down payment for a mortgage.
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Home loans available to buyers with a 10% deposit are slowly returning to the market after most lenders pulled them almost overnight at the start of the pandemic.
Mortgages for first-time buyers with a smaller deposit are still hard to come by as lenders fear high levels of unemployment and economic uncertainty.
But there’s hope for first-time buyers. Even though average house prices now stand at £245,443, according to the Land Registry, it’s possible to bag your first home for far less.
Okay, so none of these houses are in London or the south of England, they’re out of town and some are cheap because they’re in need or renovation.
But if you want to take on the challenge of a fixer-upper or are looking to relocate then these properties on Zoopla may be right up your street.
Three-bed terraced house, Grimsby – £47,000
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This three-bed terraced house in Grimsby comes £3,000 under budget and has recently been refurbished.
The three bedrooms are situation upstairs, while downstairs there’s a lounge-diner, kitchen and family bathroom. Plus it has its own garden.
It’s currently rented out to tenants on a shorthold contract but cold prove to be an investment for the right buyer.
The property last sold for £26,750 in 2017, so has nearly doubled in price over the past four years.
Two-bed terraced house, Saltburn-by-the-Sea – £50,000
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For £50,000, first-time buyers can get their hands on a two-bed terraced house in Saltburn-on-the-Sea, on the Yorkshire coast.
The house already has double glazing and gas central heating but it is in need of some investment to modernise it, which you’ll need to factor into your budget.
The house was last sold in 2002 for £26,500 and has almost doubled in price since then.
One-bed terraced house, Blyth – £41,000
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First-time buyers can purchase a one-bed house in Blyth, in south east Northumberland, and still have £9,000 left to put their own stamp on it.
It’s an end-of-terrace house so you’ll only have neighbours on one side, plus it’s chain-free making it a swifter sale.
There’s also a small private yard around the back.
Two-bed terraced house, Stanley – £39,500
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This two-bed terraced house in Stanley, County Durham comes in £10,500 under budget – which is just as well really as the home needs some serious work doing to it.
There are two reception rooms too, but it needs to be refurbished throughout, which will eat into any savings you make.
Two-bed terrace house, Spennymoor – £42,500
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Buyers can bag a two-bed terrace house in Spennymoor, County Durham, for less than £50,000.
It is being sold with tenants-in-situ, meaning if you wanted to continue to rent it out then you won’t need to advertise for tenants.
But if you wanted to buy it to live in yourself, you’ll be pleased to know there’s no onwards chain, making it a more straightforward sale.
Two-bed terraced house, County Durham – £49,950
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For £50 under budget, you can get a two-bed recently refurbished terraced house in County Durham.
This is a great property for first-time buyers who haven’t got cash, time or the drive for a fixer-upper. There’s no onward chain either.
The home was last sold in December 2017 for £21,000 meaning it’s more than doubled in value if it sells for the asking price.
Three-bed semi-detached house, Carlisle – £47,500
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Head to Carlisle and you can get a three-bed semi-detached house for £47,500 buy you’ll need some extra cash to make it liveable.
While there’s loads of space outside, inside it’s far from ideal in its current state with missing flooring throughout much of the downstairs.
What are the different types of home surveys?
A SURVEY gives a detailed inspection into the condition of a property, highlighting any major repair work that’s needed.
It can also help you decide whether or not you’re paying the right amount for your home.
The reports are carried out by qualified surveyors and costs vary from company to company. There are also different types of surveys depending on the depth of the report that you want and your budget.
These are the different types of surveys and their typical prices, according to the Homeowners Alliance:
Condition report, £300 or more
This gives a traffic light report to indicate the conditions of various states of the property – green for okay, orange for cause for concern.
The report provides you with a sumary of defects and possible risks but won’t provide any advice or valuations.
HomeBuyers report, £450 or more
On top of everything you get in the condition report, you’ll also get a valuation and an insurance reinstatement value – which is an estimate of how much you’ll receive if the building were to burn down.
Home Condition survey, £400 to £900
These are carried out by the Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA) rather than the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and includes information on broadband speeds, a damp assessment and boundary issues to consider. The price depends on the valuation of the property.
Building survey, £500 or more
These are extensive reports where the surveyor will go into places such as the attic, check behind walls and look between floors and above ceilings. It will also provide advice on repairs, estimated costs and timings, and what will happen if you don’t carry out the repairs. Prices depend on the size of the property.
Two-bed semi-detached house, Batley – £45,000
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First-time buyers with a £50,000 budget can look to buy a two-bed semi-detached home in Batley in Kirklees.
But the cheap price tag comes with a catch – you’ll need to invest some serious cash into it before moving in.
Inside, there work hasn’t been finished and there are signs of damp which could be costly to fix. Make sure you pay for a thorough survey for a property like this one.
Two-bed terrace house, East Yorkshire – £45,000
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This property in East Yorkshire is a great option for buyers who are prepared to put their own stamp on it – just remember to get a survey done first.
The two-bed house is currently empty and has no onward chain, and there’s a small yard around the back.
But if you’re not one to stick some extra cash behind the project to make it liveable, then this isn’t for you.
Two-bed terraced house, Horden – £34,950
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This two-bedroom terraced house in Horden is for sale for £25,000 under budget, with an asking price of £34,950.
It’s in a decent condition, meaning the buyers could move in right away if they wanted to.
The property has double glazing and gas central heating, and is freehold meaning you won’t have to pay any leasehold fees.
Two-bed house, Bishop Auckland – £40,000
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Buyers looking to get on the property ladder in the north east of England can consider a two-bed house in Bishop Auckland.
It’s on the market for £40,000 – that’s £10,000 under budget – and has no on wards chain.
The cash saved will probably need to be put towards modernising the house, which needs a new bathroom and updated decor.
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Fancy a nose around more homes? This is the cheapest house for sale on Zoopla. It costs £25,000 – a tenth of the average property price.
If you’re a first-time buyer looking to get on the property ladder, you should read our ultimate guide to the process.
House prices are expected to drop in 2021 by as much as 6%, according to Halifax’s latest house price index.
I’m mortgage-free at 35 thanks to my savvy spending
