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Property: best bargain homes of the New Year

There are some attractive bargain deals on the market currently. Photo: Getty

At £268,000 ($366,211), the average UK property price is 10% higher than a year ago, but the good news is that wherever you’re hoping to buy, it’s still possible to pick up a bargain at a fraction of what you’d typically pay.

However there’s usually a reason why the price is so low — it may have a sitting tenant, require complete modernisation, be structurally unsound or blighted in some other way.

Whether you’re stepping on to the housing ladder or purchasing for investment, always investigate what the problem is, get a survey done and factor in the cost of remedial and renovation work.

When applicable, find out if the property is mortgageable as most lenders won’t touch it if it’s in poor condition, very tiny or has under 80 years remaining on the lease.

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Here’s a round-up of the best budget homes currently for sale in the UK.

1. One-bed house, Bishop Auckland, County Durham. Guide price: £13,500

Bishop Auckland
This boarded-up terraced house in County Durham is on sale for £13,500. Photo: SDL Property Auctions

You can probably guess from the boarded-up windows and door that this terraced house is in dire need of a makeover.

However, if you were planning to rent it out, the prospect of an annual yield in excess of 30% of the guide price could be all the motivation you need to get started.

There’s a living room and kitchen on the ground floor, with the bedroom and bathroom above and a bijou garden at the back.

It’s set to be auctioned on 27 January. If it grabs your interest, you’ll need to register by noon the day before and submit your bid remotely.

2. Studio flat, Sheffield. Guide price: £25,000

Sheffield
Residents have use of a laundry and the convenience of a mini supermarket on the ground floor of the building. Photo: Auction House Online (Online property auctions)

The city centre location — in walking distance of the train station, shops, university and nightlife — is one of the many plus points of this modern flat, which at the moment is let to a tenant for £563 per calendar month.

It comprises a living and sleeping area containing a kitchenette with fitted cupboards and appliances, a built-in wardrobe, desk unit and double bed, and a shower room. Residents have use of a laundry and the convenience of a mini supermarket on the ground floor of the building.

As it’s for sale via online auction, it could well achieve more than the guide price of £25,000. Bidding opens at 1pm on 24 January and closes 24 hours later, and you must register in advance.

Read more: The costs to consider when buying a home

3. One-bed flat, Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire. Price: offers over £40,000

Kirkintilloch
Located in a quiet spot offering easy access to Glasgow city centre and the central belt motorway network, this bargain is on the market for £40,000. Photo: Pacitti Jones (Pacitti Jones)

It’s looking rather sorry for itself right now, but there’s plenty of potential to carry out improvements and add value to this first floor flat after dealing with issues highlighted in the home report, such as damp and gutter repairs and testing the electrics and gas appliances.

Located in a quiet spot offering easy access to Glasgow city centre and the central belt motorway network, it has an L-shaped hall, large living room, kitchen, double bedroom and bathroom with a white suite, and a decent amount of storage space. It's on the market with estate agents Pacitti Jones.

Read more: Bitcoin in 2021 in 12 charts

4. One-bed flat, Bilston, West Midlands. Price: £50,000

Bilston
This West Midlands property features a fitted kitchen with a breakfast bar and a separate living room. Photo: Connells (Connells)

Ideal for an investor, this bright second floor flat is occupied by a long term sitting tenant and well located for commuting into Birmingham and Wolverhampton, either by road or rail from Coseley station, half a mile away. A park with an outdoor gym, tennis courts and other sports facilities is also nearby.

The property is reached via a covered external walkway, and includes a fitted kitchen with a breakfast bar, a separate living room, a double bedroom and bathroom. There’s an allocated parking space and a garage too. The estate agents are Connells.

5. Studio flat, Belvedere, Kent. Price: £80,000

Belvedere Ruskin external
There are only 64 years left on the lease for this property so obtaining a mortgage would be unlikely. Photo: Your Move (estate agent)

This is probably the cheapest non-retirement property on the market in Greater London where, according to Zoopla, flats have changed hands for average of £521,000 over the past year.

Its low price is due to the fact that it’s compact with only 64 years left on the lease, so is available to cash buyers only as there’s little likelihood of obtaining a mortgage.

shaker style kitchen
The property has all-white walls and a Shaker style kitchen. Photo: Your Move (Your Move)

Once you’ve overcome that obstacle, it’s chain free and ready to move into.

The ground floor flat has its own front door and consists of a lounge/bedroom area with a wide archway through into a Shaker-style kitchen, a shower room, separate WC and garden. Your Move are the agents you need to talk to if you are interested.

Watch: How much money do I need to buy a house?