News · 9 February 2016
Flat Sold As Seen: Wipe Your Feet on the Way Out
A two-bedroom flat in Leigh-on-Sea sells over the asking price within a week, despite the estate agent describing the condition with notable honesty.
A property owner in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex faced significant challenges marketing their two-bedroom flat. The estate agent described the condition bluntly: "full of rubbish, there is mould on the walls and I think there may even be some fleas there to keep me company when I carry out the viewings."
Despite that candid assessment, or perhaps because of it, the strategy proved effective. Within a week of listing, the property attracted multiple offers, with the highest bid reaching £140,000, exceeding the asking price by £15,000.
The article appeared in the context of discussions around buy-to-let stamp duty increases and proposed tax changes affecting landlords.