This traditional terraced house can currently claim to be the cheapest house for sale in Wales, as an auction house has just listed it with a £0.00 guide price.
The property, soon to be launched as an online auction lot, is a bay-fronted, mid-terrace house located on Brynmair Road in Aberdare, in the heart of the Cynon Valley.
So, what do you get for your money with a house with such a non-existent guide price?
Well, starting from the outside, the stone front facade with feature bay window is a traditional welcome, and inside there are two large reception rooms on the ground floor to instantly greet you.
Both rooms look decoratively tired but in fairly standard condition for an auction property – and the rear reception room even offers what looks like charming period quarry tiles on the floor.
Then into the kitchen, which is a decent sized space. And the home also has an under stairs cupboard, which would make a perfect pantry – a popular feature with current house hunters.
The home then flows from the kitchen into the bathroom.
It’s not unusual to find a bathroom on the ground floor in a traditional terraced home in this location.
But if an upstairs bathroom is required by the new owner then there are three bedrooms on the first floor, so maybe the smallest of the rear rooms could be converted.
The decision on where the bathroom should be is really based on who buys the house.
A property developer may think it’s not worth sacrificing a bedroom which can impact on the sales price.
Combined with the added expense of moving the bathroom upstairs eating into any potential profit, expert advice from local estate agents should be sought before making a decision on the bathroom.
But if the bathroom does stay downstairs it will need attention, starting with a full ‘back to bricks’ refurbishment.
A home owner may prefer to see the bathroom be moved and then use the extra downstairs space to increase the size of the kitchen to create a kitchen diner and connect it to the garden.
They could even splash out on a small kitchen side return extension, subject to getting planning permission.
Alternatively, if building regulations allow, connecting the rear reception room to the kitchen could by achieved by increasing the width and height of the adjoining door.
Another method of connecting the inside to the outside, and the least expensive option, is changing the window in the rear reception room to a glass French door.
The garden is in need of some attention starting with a strimmer but once cleared will make a pretty courtyard to enjoy the summer sun.
So many choices for a new owner but first they have to win the auction.
The house might have a guide price of nil but, of course, it’s going to sell for a lot more.
If you decide to make a bid on the house during the online auction you won’t be able to start the bidding at whatever you find down the back of your sofa either.
Just like a live auction held in a packed hotel reception room, the auctioneer has to start the bidding somewhere, and your 37p sofa supplied fund just won’t be acceptable.
The opening bid is set at £250, so still less than the price of a weekend away in Tenby.
Who knows where the bidding might stop, but if you are looking to secure this one for hopefully no more than the cost of maybe a second hand family car, then there are some things you should know about the house.
Of course, the property is a full renovation project but due to its current condition the auctioneer says you won’t be able to raise a mortgage on it, so it’s cash buyers only that should be bidding.
Ryan Saunders, who is handling the sale for Paul Fosh Auctions, says: “The reason for the low guide price is that the property is leasehold and has a relatively short time left on the lease.
“The lease for the property is due to expire in 2054. The new owner may wish to seek to extend the lease or to negotiate to buy the freehold of the property.
“There has already been strong interest in the property which I expect to continue on through to the sale next month.”
The house is part of the next online auction by Newport based Paul Fosh Auctions, which starts at noon on Tuesday, March 16 and ends 5pm on Thursday, March 18. For further details about the property call the company on 01633 254 044.