Most of us, at one point or another, have fantasised about buying a fixer-upper home.
These are the properties with threadbare carpets, peeling walls and retro avocado bathrooms, where swirling Seventies patterns have held their ground for fifty years and half the wires don’t connect to anything.
Those with the time, money and vision will see such features as opportunities rather than obstacles.
And as the property market slows, buyers may be keen to put their own stamp on a home they hope to be in for the long haul.
We’ve selected 10 of the best fixer-uppers on the market now, all with beautiful bones — and bags of potential.
1. Streatham Hill, SW2
£750,000
This large split-level three-bedroom flat occupies the first and second floors of a Victorian house near Streatham Hill station. There’s a garden shared with one over flat, wood flooring and plenty of eaves storage.
Savills, 020 3879 5163
2. Paddington, W2
£4,950,000
A grand townhouse between Paddington station and Hyde Park, currently configured to have fifteen bedrooms across six floors of living space. It includes off-street parking.
Dexters, 020 7313 3600
3. Mayfair, W1K
£16,500,000
This Grade II-listed townhouse on the Grosvenor Estate is currently in commercial use. There are six bedrooms and bathrooms, plus some preserved features including fireplaces.
Knight Frank, 020 3925 1642
4. City of London, EC2Y
£765,000
A one-bedroom Barbican flat in one of the smaller blocks with a south-facing balcony. There’s also underfloor heating, plus a bathroom with original Barbican fixtures. No onward chain.
Purple Bricks, 020 3907 2929
5. Hampstead, N6
£2,500,000
This family home on Hampstead Lane has five bedrooms, a large basement and integrated garage, plus swift access to the Heath. There’s plenty of potential to extend.
Keats, 020 3879 5181
6. Kensal Green, N10
£1,000,000
A three-bedroom end-of-terrace home with potential for a side return and loft conversion. Moments to Kensal Green station for the Bakerloo line and Overground.
eXp, 03304 609968
7. Vauxhall, SW8
£750,000
This three bedroom, two bathroom split-level flat sits within the Lansdowne Gardens Conservation Area. It’s handy for Nine Elms, Vauxhall and Stockwell stations.
Wilkinson & Fox, 020 3840 3561
8. Belsize Park, NW3
£1,800,000
This former theatre in the heart of Belsize Park with three bedrooms. There are high ceilings throughout, plus a loft space with cornicing from old theatre days.
Hamptons, 020 7483 255
9. Ladbroke Grove, W10
£4,250,000
This distinctive two-bedroom home is in need of internal reconfiguration. It has over 3,000 square feet of living space, including a vaulted open plan hall.
Agent & Homes, 020 3910 6595
10. Kensington, W8
£450,000
A one-bedroom apartment on the first floor of a stucco-fronted terrace in Kensington. As there is little remaining time on the lease, it’s only open to cash buyers.
Oliver Bernard, 020 7118 0747