Flat in iconic Poirot building up for sale for £190k - but it's not exactly spacious
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A studio flat in Barbican, London, is going up for auction later this month with a guide price of £190,000 before fees.
Located on Charterhouse Square, the building is instantly recognisable as Whitehaven Mansions, the fictional home of Agatha Christie's famous detective Hercule Poirot.
As well as exterior filming, a number of interior shots of the Grade II-listed Art Deco building were used for the programme during its 24 years in production.
In 2019, the building was used again for filming, after being selected as a home for one of the leading characters of the Batman spin-off, Pennyworth.
Built in 1936 by by Guy Morgan and Partners, the London building features classic Art Deco design and rare amenities for its era, including a rooftop garden with city views, an indoor swimming pool, sauna, gym and communal lounge.
The block, which spans nine floors and is home to 120 flats, also has a porter service, a secure entry system and two lifts.
Flat 28 Florin Court will appeal to buyers with a love of classic TV, as well as architecture and design.
A canny investor could also be drawn to the studio's location and potential.
And its City location means it could also be an ideal pied a terre.
However, anyone who lives there will have to be comfortable with a small space, as it measures just 209 sq ft, or less than 20 sq m.
The current minimum space standard says newly-built homes for one person should be at least 37 sq m.
The studio flat is located on the third floor of the curved building.
It has a bedroom and living space, and separate kitchenette and bathroom areas.
The property has an enviable location, providing easy access to the City of London and the Elizabeth Line. It is close to both Barbican and Farringdon underground stations.
The property is held on a 999 year lease from 1 April 2017, with around 991 years unexpired.
The studio flat has an EPC rating of C and has not been inspected by Auction House, which is selling the property via auction in August.
Viewings for the property are taking place on 1 August between 2.15pm to 2.45pm and on 5 August from 2.15pm to 2.45pm.
TV gold: Whitehaven Mansions, the fictional home of Agatha Christie's famous detective Hercule Poirot, was located in London's Florin Court
What a history: Curved Florin Court in London was built in 1936
Wow views: A stunning communal roof terrace at Florin Court in London
Compact: Flat 28 Florin Court spans 209 sq. ft. and is a studio apartment
Potential: Flat 28 Florin Court is going under the hammer with a guide price of £190,000
Location matters: The studio flat is small but close to Barbican and Farringdon tube stations
Facilities: Florin Court has an impressive communal basement swimming pool
Opportunity: Flat 28 Florin Court could be an investment opportunity for the right buyer
Auctions are one area where good deals still come up. Properties sold this way can, in some cases, be substantially cheaper than on the open market.
According to Property Auction News, the average price properties sell at auction for is around £166,000.
However, properties sold in this way often - though not always - come with added complexities for the buyer.
It is therefore important to do as much research as possible before buying any property at auction.
Where possible, always visit the property in person before the auction.
Do not underestimate how much renovation work or reconfigurations could cost if you are taking on a project property.
Read legal documents for the property carefully and, when possible, get advice from a solicitor before heading to the auction.
Sometimes, the legal pack includes 'special conditions' that mean you might also be liable to pay an additional three per cent fee to a sales agent.
Before submitting any bids, always check what sort of price similar properties in the area have sold for. This will, of course, be harder if it is a more unusual property that you are after.
If you do bid, do not get carried away and bid more than you can afford.
Most properties bought via auction have a 28-day competition date and home loans for auction properties can be harder to get.
Borrowers who need a mortgage because their current fixed rate deal is ending, or they are buying a home, should explore their options as soon as possible.
Buy-to-let landlords should also act as soon as they can.
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What if I need to remortgage?
Borrowers should compare rates, speak to a mortgage broker and be prepared to act.
Homeowners can lock in to a new deal six to nine months in advance, often with no obligation to take it.
Most mortgage deals allow fees to be added to the loan and only be charged when it is taken out. This means borrowers can secure a rate without paying expensive arrangement fees.
Keep in mind that by doing this and not clearing the fee on completion, interest will be paid on the fee amount over the entire term of the loan, so this may not be the best option for everyone.
What if I am buying a home?
Those with home purchases agreed should also aim to secure rates as soon as possible, so they know exactly what their monthly payments will be.
Buyers should avoid overstretching and be aware that house prices may fall, as higher mortgage rates limit people's borrowing ability and buying power.
What about buy-to-let landlords
Buy-to-let landlords with interest-only mortgages will see a greater jump in monthly costs than homeowners on residential mortgages.
This makes remortgaging in plenty of time essential and our partner L&C can help with buy-to-let mortgages too.
How to compare mortgage costs
The best way to compare mortgage costs and find the right deal for you is to speak to a broker.
This is Money has a long-standing partnership with fee-free broker L&C, to provide you with fee-free expert mortgage advice.
Interested in seeing today’s best mortgage rates? Use This is Money and L&Cs best mortgage rates calculator to show deals matching your home value, mortgage size, term and fixed rate needs.
If you’re ready to find your next mortgage, why not use L&C’s online Mortgage Finder. It will search 1,000’s of deals from more than 90 different lenders to discover the best deal for you.
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Be aware that rates can change quickly, however, and so if you need a mortgage or want to compare rates, speak to L&C as soon as possible, so they can help you find the right mortgage for you.
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