LEYTONSTONE: Becks' house to be auctioned for £215,000 (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

LEYTONSTONE: Becks' house to be auctioned for £215,000

1:35pm Monday 6th April 2009 in Waltham Forest News

DAVID Beckham's “£1 million” childhood home will now be auctioned for just £215,000.

Despite boasts from agent Colin Evans that he received firm offers close to the seven figure mark, the indistinct terraced property in Norman Road, Leytonstone, will now go under the hammer at auctioneer Savills with a significantly lower asking price.

Defiant Mr Evans told the Guardian the £1 million offers from two mystery bidders are still on the table.

He said one of them is an Australian memorabilia collector and the other is a wealthy Arab Beckham fanatic.

Mr Evans had not been informed about the auction by the homes’ owner, Iftakar Mahmood, when the Guardian contacted him and admitted to being in the dark over developments.

He said: "I'm a bit surprised Mr Mahmood would want to sell it for that price. "I believe I can sell it for £500,000 at the very least and when he has three guaranteed offers of £1 million why would he want to sell for that low?"

The potential sale of the indistinct property for £1 million in a road where the average house costs £220,000 attracted worldwide headlines.

The property was originally advertised for £850,000 on the website Gumtree, but Mr Evans said those willing to meet the asking price would incur legal fees of £250,000.

However, Mr Evans, 46, who described himself as the Max Clifford of east London, was unwilling to provide a breakdown of these extra fees.

Robin Howeson, 26, the auction negotiator, said: "This is a much more realistic price. There will be people who will be interested in David Beckam's life but this price makes much more sense."

England's most capped outfield player lived in the house for a maximum of two years, after being born at Whipps Cross University Hospital in 1975. His family then moved to Chingford.

Mr Evans admitted this is the first property deal he is involved in, but said he is working with a colleague with 20 years experience as an estate agent.