Thwaite Flat Farm, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria LA14 4QH

Description

Substantial four-bedroom farmhouse with large lounge, dining kitchen and conservatory; rural/resale value should be evidenced separately from standard Barrow terraces.

Location

Thwaite Flat Farm, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria LA14 4QH. The full postcode LA14 4QH is used for mapping. Local investment evidence is drawn from the Barrow market rather than a generic Cumbria average.

Investment Analysis

Investment Snapshot

Works Required

• Targeted kitchen/bathroom and services upgrades where required

• Decoration, flooring and joinery

• External/roof/damp repairs identified by survey

• Contingency for latent defects

HB working allowance: £50,000–£90,000. This is an appraisal allowance based on the auctioneer's condition description and property type, not a contractor quotation.

Rental & Market Context

HB's working market-rent range is £1,500–£2,000 pcm (£18,000–£24,000 p.a.). This reflects current/recent rental evidence for the Barrow market and is adjusted for the subject property's size, condition and strategy. At the guide, the gross yield range is approximately 6.5%–8.7%; on the full purchase-and-works range it is approximately 4.6%–7.4%. Actual rent should be checked against a current local letting appraisal before exchange.

Sold within 5m radius

• 5 Ruskin Terrace, Barrow-in-Furness – 3-bed terrace – sold 19 May 2026 – £125,000

These are local-market comparables rather than guaranteed like-for-like matches. Allowing for condition, size and micro-location, HB uses an indicative end-value range of £450,000–£600,000 for this lot where a GDV is applicable.

GDV Assessment

HB indicative GDV/end value is £450,000–£600,000. This range is informed by the auctioneer's property facts, the current condition and the verified Barrow sold-market evidence above. It is an investment appraisal, not a RICS valuation; the lower end should be used for bid sensitivity.

Strategy Recommendation

Preferred strategy: Refurbishment & Resale. The working acquisition range is £275,000–£300,000. The main reason is the relationship between the guide, required works and the achievable exit/income evidence. Risk is rated high because of the property-specific condition, tenure, planning or market factors noted above.

Potential BRRR Position

Using the mid-point purchase assumption of £287,500 and mid-point works of £70,000, the property stands at about £357,500 before SDLT, auction fees and finance. A 75% refinance against the £450,000–£600,000 GDV range gives approximately £337,500–£450,000. At the mid-point this leaves about £0 of purchase-and-works capital in the deal before transaction costs. HB BRRR assessment: Strong.

Flip Analysis

Working scenario: purchase £287,500, works £70,000, plus approximately £33,500 as an illustrative allowance for acquisition, finance/holding and selling costs. Total working cost is therefore about £391,000 against a mid-point GDV of £525,000, producing an indicative pre-tax margin of about £134,000 (25.5% of GDV). This is viable on the current assumptions and is highly sensitive to sale price and refurbishment overspend.

Investor Risks & Due Diligence

• Read the full legal pack, title and special conditions before bidding

• Confirm auction administration/buyer's fees and completion period

• Verify the scope and cost of works with a survey and contractor pricing

• Check planning/building-regulation status, access and services where relevant

• Confirm finance and insurance acceptability for the specific property type

• Re-check current rental and sold evidence immediately before setting a maximum bid

Maximum Bid Analysis

HB bidding sensitivity: guide £275,000+. The deal is strongest around £275,000–£275,000; above approximately £275,000 the margin/capital-recycling position begins to weaken on the conservative £450,000 GDV assumption. This is an investment-based bid indicator, not a valuation or bidding instruction.

Recommendation

Overall HB view: Refurbishment & Resale. At the working purchase range of £275,000–£300,000, the opportunity can be attractive if the property-specific risks are resolved and the works remain within £50,000–£90,000. Confidence is medium; the principal sensitivity is end value and refurbishment cost.

Strategy Rating

Buy-to-Let: ★★★★☆ | BRRR: ★★★★☆ | Flip: ★★★☆☆

Research Sources

https://www.auctionhouse.co.uk/cumbria/auction/lot/150971 | https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/barrow-in-furness.html