Snookered! Luxury £1.25m Essex home owned by Steve Davis still on the market, but the legend of the green baize stands to make a half-a-million pound profit (if he can find a buyer)
- EXCLUSIVE: The Grade II listed property in Stock, Essex, is on the market for £1.25m
- Steve Davis bought the property almost a decade ago in the summer of 2010 for £735,000
- The four-bedroom detached house boasts a conservatory, walled garden and plenty of period features
He had a reputation in the 1980s for being a 'boring' snooker player and was even given the ironic nickname 'Interesting' by TV's Spitting Image.
But it was cool-headedness in high-pressure situations that helped Steve Davis make it to eight World Snooker Championship finals and become the face of the sport.
And it could also reveal him to be a shrewd operator in the property market, as his attractive home in Essex is for sale with a guide price of £1,250,000.
Having bought it almost a decade ago - in the summer of 2010 for £735,000 - he stands to make a cool 'profit' of £515,000 - but only if he holds out and finds a buyer willing to pay the current asking price.
Where's the 'cue' to buy it? Snooker player Steve Davis put his attractive Essex home on the market for £1.25m last summer
Pot black: Steve Davis is a legend in the world of snooker having won six world titles
That works out at nearly £60,000 per year of price growth - more than twice the national average annual salary - if he manages to secure a buyer for the price it is listed for.
The attractive four-bedroom property has been on the market since last July, but has so far failed to sell.
It has been a challenging time in the housing market amid the uncertainty of Brexit and the toll of high moving costs, particular for higher-priced properties that have been hit by stamp duty hikes.
Anyone considering buying the property would have to pay £68,750 in stamp duty. If the buyer already owns another home, then the stamp duty would jump significiantly to £106,250 due to the three per cent stamp duty surcharge on second homes.
The snooker champion and BBC commentator will walk away with a £515,000 profit before tax and any expenses - such as solicitor's and estate agent's fees - if he can offload the property without reducing the existing asking price.
The exterior of the front of the house is particular pretty at this time of year as it covered in a blanket of purple wisteria
The most famous match in snooker history? The 1985 World Championship final between Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor
The Grade II listed property is called Brick House and is on the high street in the popular village of Stock, six miles south of Chelmsford, Essex. It boasts a conservatory, walled garden and plenty of period features.
The exterior of the front of the house is particular pretty at this time of year as it covered in a blanket of purple wisteria.
Pictured from left to right: World champions Steve Davis and Mark Selby, and businessman Fred Done
Attractive purchase: The Essex property is currently vacant, meaning there is no chain for potential buyers
Period features: This living area has a brick fireplace and grey panelled walls walls, with a door to the conservatory
The finer details: There is decorative glass in the windows and doors throughout the house
The sale of his property is taking far longer than Steve's infamous 1985 Word Championship final.
The 'black ball' final is widely considered to be the most famous match in snooker history, holding the record for Britain's largest after-midnight television audience with 18.5million viewers.
The total match time of 14 hours 50 minutes is the longest for a best-of-35 frame game, with his opponent Dennis Taylor winning, 18 frames to 17.
Three years later, Steve won the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year and he remains the only snooker player ever to win the award.
As well as continuing to play professional snooker, he is a BBC commentator with the final of the World Championships taking place this weekend at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield.
Outdoor space: The large walled garden mainly consist of a lawn area that is perfect for a family
There are period features throughout the property, including wooden beams on the walls and ceilings
Keeping warm and cosy: There are several fireplaces in the house, including this brick version
There is a garden patio area at the rear of the large house and a door to the garage
The attractive four-bedroom property in Stock Village has been on the market since July last year
Entertaining space: The kitchen leads through to the dining area in the modern conservatory
Original features: There are four bedrooms and two bathrooms at the Essex home
A light and bright modern kitchen has been installed with white cabinets and chrome accessories
The conservatory overlooks the garden and is the perfect space for eating and entertaining
So the asking price is £1.25 million and it hasn't...
by Chris 162