Bournemouth four-bedroom house marketed as 'rare purchase opportunity' amid mould and refurbishment concerns

An estate agent has touted a four-bedroom detached house on Braidley Road, near Bournemouth’s seafront, as a 'rare purchase opportunity' at £560,000, but viewers taking the virtual tour have questioned the claim.

The property is described as spacious, with three reception rooms, three bathrooms, a snug, utility room and a double garage. However, photos show extensive refurbishment is needed: black mould on the walls of the bedrooms, with part of the ceiling missing; insulation hanging from the kitchen ceiling, exposing wooden joists; a Tesco bag of rubbish dangling from a cooker knob; crockery piled on the draining board. A green graffiti scrawl is across the front of the building.

The listing has appeared on Reddit, where users reacted in dismay. 'Picture 7 has come through my screen and given my house mould. Good God,' one comment read. Another post said people who take the virtual tour would 'need a scrub in the bath for a week after your eyes soak that up'. 'I need a shower after those pics,' another wrote, with a user replying: 'I wanted a full body suit and a gas mask/ breathing apparatus.' They kept returning to the bathroom that had been dressed up to look presentable, while a kitchen with cleaning supplies screamed that someone was trying to pretend everything is normal.

The property is being marketed by Purplebricks, with the agent acknowledging in the listing that the home is 'in need of complete refurbishment'. The description says the home is offered for sale with no onward chain and presents an excellent opportunity for modernisation, making it an ideal choice for investors, developers or families seeking flexible living in the Meyrick Park area.

Market watchers note that the price and description underscore a broader trend: properties on sought-after seafront fringes can be marketed as opportunities even when in need of work, highlighting a disconnect between marketing language and physical condition. The Bournemouth property market remains competitive, and buyers are closely scrutinising listings that mix premium location with significant refurbishment needs.