Owning your own home

Foxtons are scum. Lower than low. Would not go anywhere near them. My place was on the market for a bit (rental) and I used Keatons. They are not bad. Also currels.

Edit: should also note I got Foxtons in on my property and they said they could get more money but as they were complete cunts I decided I'd rather have less money than have myself and my tenant deal with their bullshit.

On another note, where is everyone ending up when they are priced out of Hackney? Tempted to get a place with a garden but can't afford one locally and don't fancy going as far as Walthamstow?

Might of asked that before.

The worst two I dealt with were Black Katz and Galliard.

Black Katz had shockingly bad contracts which they refused to amend. I think it threw them a bit when we came back and said we'd sign the contract as we'd discussed it with a property litigation expert and a large number of the clauses were unenforceable in law.

Galliard did the dubious one of claiming the flat wasn't clean enough (after using different companies for the check-in and check-out) and then charging for cleaning by one of their subsidiaries.

Foxton's were shit but they were upfront about it.

I told Foxtons I wanted to let my place out for 6 months. They said it was easier to get people in for a year, pretend they could have it for the whole year, but have a 6 month break clause and use it, kicking them out after 6 months. Dick move.

South East London around catford and Grove Park and such. Has gardens. Is reasonably priced. Forum news hangout.

This; catford is the new peckham; hither green is the new brixton; grove park is the new 'mareditch'

Currently flat white is £1.80

you heard it here first

You wanna go New Cross for a cheap flat white

But then you're in New Cross.

Anyone got a recommendation for full structural survey providors in SE?

Valuation booked for tomorrow morning

@chrisbmx116 come to Walthamstow! Its only up the road. The estate agent said all of his clients are coming from Hackney. And you can get a garden.

stay the hell out of #wn4l!

And 'denham.

never use an estate agent, always do it yourself. if you are out of the country then obviously that restricts you somewhat though. and correct all estate agents are cunts

as far as walthamstow? the cheek of it! how far is 'far'? where is the reference point to? if your work and social scene is the west end then yes generally on the bike it would be a bit of a schlep. on the tube you get to oxford circus in 20mins according to TFL. you get your garden and nice neighbours.

I did the Hackney to SE15 move three years ago and haven't once regretted it. But SE15 now costs an awful lot more than it did in 2012, so that might not be much help I'm afraid. It is a bloody amazing place to live though.

Agreed SE15 is brilliant.

Unfortunately its got Hipster Tax.

i agree. SE15 is best SE. everyone should live there.

Yes. They should.

Tried to engage the solicitors to get them to change direction towards the new place. Despite dealing directly with me over the last 10 months and happily taking ALL OF MY MONEY, they said that as they were initially instructed by my IFA, they would need to be instructed by him on the new place. He's done that this morning. Time marches on.....

leytonstone!

Margate.

Cheers for the suggestions everyone! I'm thinking it might have to be Leytonstone or Walthamstow although worried I've nearly missed the boat already, looks like the houses everyone got for 340k are now 420k and by the time I get there even more... Clapton mark 2. Prob end up seeing you there anyway @well_is_it ! Any recommendations on nice streets in either of those areas? Might take a wee ride round both areas to get the feel...

Leyton FTW. Within easy range of both Leytonstone and the nice bit of Walthamstow. Help me gentrify the area so I don't lose value on my flat!

Forest Gate FTW. People see the lack of tube and run scared before they realise it's actually quicker to central London than Leyton and cheaper. Moved there in February and haven't looked back.

I do actually think Leyton might be worth a look too. I'm very very east centric so want to stay as close to Bella Vita (pizza) as possible. I know it's not news, but prices in Hackney etc are daft, nothing within my budget looks appealing, but then maybe my budget is part of the issue... Ahhhh first world problems.