A fire damaged South Wales valleys house which experts warned could only be viewed from outside and from a distance smashed its guide price when it went up for auction.
The ultimate property doer upper challenge was listed with a price of £14,000 eventually sold £71,500 for after a surge of bids from those wanting to get their hands on the terraced house.
There was a stark Fire Brigade safety notice pinned to the front door of the house, at 8, Suffolk Place, Ogmore Vale, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan warning of its condition and that it is unsafe to enter.
Prospective buyers had been advised that they should only view the fire damaged house, being sold by Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions, from afar as internal walls and staircase had collapsed.
Angie Davey, of Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “Despite the condition of the fire-damaged house there was huge interest in this property with many being able to see through its condition to realise its potential. In the end we had a total of 109 bids registered from 13 individual bidders before its sold for a very decent £71,500, considering its condition-more than five times the £14,000-plus guide.
“The mid-terraced house will require complete renovation due to the internal collapse of the staircase and three walls but once completed will make a comfy home.
“We weren’t able to inspect the property prior to the auction but were informed by the vendor that the accommodation previously consisted of two reception rooms, kitchen, three bedrooms, bathroom with separate w.c. There is a rear garden, which is overgrown, and lane access.
“Once renovated the house could realise a rental of approximately £575 pcm.
“Even though this could be seen as the ultimate doer upper and will require all sorts of construction skills to make it habitable, it created huge pre auction interest from those relishing a challenge and who saw the real potential for this building.
“The property had a Fire Brigade safety notice pinned to the front door and we advised that internal viewings would not be conducted on the house due to the very real danger to anyone venturing inside.”
www.paulfoshauctions.com