New build homes East Lothian - 10 years old and not sold

[LucasA]

Hi,

Might be a bit long winded but I would welcome any opinion.

I've been looking at houses recently and came across a small development of 11 homes at Bankpark Grange in Tranent, East Lothian. I did a bit of digging and found out that they were built by a company called Jemma James Homes. I understand that this person Jemma owns/lives in the house (Bankpark House) on which part of the garden land was developed to build these homes. The planning was approved in 2005 and I think judging by google earth images they were completed between 2006 and 2009. The company Jemma James Homes is now dissolved. The houses, I think, have been on and off for sale for years in which time one sold in 2011 and they started advertising again in November last year. I did have a look at them and have seen reserved signs in a couple of the windows but I also saw reserved signs in photos from years ago and they never sold.

I quite like them but something doesn't really smell right. Possible theories I have thought of is that the builder went bust in the financial crash and sold to another party etc. but why haven't they sold? They don't seem vastly overpriced.

Does anyone know any more on these properties?

http://www.zoopla.co.uk/new-homes/details/38696349...

Thanks

Lucas

Edited by LucasA on Tuesday 29th March 21:35

[bomma220]

Lucas I know of someone who was involved in a closely related project. My advice would be to totally avoid any involvement whatsoever mate.

[Pferdestarke]

Bomma - why is that?

OP - seems like one to avoid on the face of it but I'd still like to know more facts.

[ATG]

Have you tried asking a local estate agent ... one who isn't marketing these houses?

[sidekickdmr]

They obviously have a reputation and this will come to bite you when you come to sell again.

However I too am intrigued as to why the stigma around them and what happened, so do keep us updated!

[5potTurbo]

They look like fairly nice houses, aside from the mismatch of wood finishes throughout.

As I'm reading Stuart MacBride books at the momemnt, has Malk the Knife buried some bodies in the foundations?

[worsy]

5potTurbo said:

They look like fairly nice houses, aside from the mismatch of wood finishes throughout.

As I'm reading Stuart MacBride books at the momemnt, has Malk the Knife buried some bodies in the foundations?

Image 13

[LucasA]

I haven't actually asked an estate agent who isn't marketing them. I thought to contact the agent selling but thought any reponse wouldn't be honest anyway.

Bomma - do you care to elaborate?

Does this particular individual/builder have a very bad reputation?

[irocfan]

5potTurbo said:

They look like fairly nice houses, aside from the mismatch of wood finishes throughout.

agreed - on the face of it quite nice (excepting pic 13!) albeit with the electrical sockets too high. It is curious and one would imagine there has to be a reason

[driver67]

Some info here may be relevant :-

http://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/14243964.Va...

[Dave_ST220]

irocfan said:

albeit with the electrical sockets too high.

Look correct to my eyes...

[LucasA]

driver67 said:

Some info here may be relevant :-

http://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/14243964.Va...

I did read this when I was having a snoop about. I don't think it would put me off, you get vandals everywhere. Doesn't really explain why they haven't sold for the previous 10 years.

[KTF]

worsy said:

Image 13

What going on with the floor under the door? A water leak or something?

[interstellar]

The article about the party wouldn't put me off if they were under construction at the time. There is something more to this.

If there are 11 houses and there are only 2 left would a knock on one of the other 9 doors be worth a shout?

If I was a resident and you were knocking on my door and about to spend £400k I would be honest with you especially if I had bought a lemon?

[irocfan]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

ahhhh - now that makes sense. I've never had a new-build and my sockets are/appear to be somewhat lower

[interstellar]

Only shows 1 price here too in terms of sold plots?

http://www.zoopla.co.uk/house-prices/tranent/bankp...

[Andehh]

They are exceptionally close to the A1? That and the local news stories all showing the area to be less then desirable? Seems the Youths have a bit too much time on their hands...

[LucasA]

The local area has a semi-bad reputation. My parents have lived here for the last 10 years or so with me living with them for 7 of them so I'm quite happy there's nothing wrong with it. The A1 is a good distance away and not close enough to give a lot of noise pollution unless outside where you might get a bit.

I went and had a look at them at duskish at night and no lights were on any of them bar the one that sold in 2011. SO they are not being lived in.

Basic 4 bedroom houses regularly sell for 250/270k here with the larger ones selling for over 300k. These seem worth it for the size and views of the firth of forth. Got to be something wrong!

[superlightr]

have they been rented out?

if they are outside the 10 yr nhbc warranty that could be the reason they are for sale now ie the seller knows that there are issues with the build and if outside the 10yr nhbc warranty they dont have to fix.

[KTF]

The decor and general condition looks too new for them to have been sat there for 10 years.

If the builder went bust, did someone buy the remains and finish them off more recently?