А что, папаша, овёс нынче дорог? How much is a decent apartment in a decent neigborhood nowadays? 5 years ago, you could buy a townhouse (maybe they are called terraced houses in Britain, I'm not sure - the kind where you have neighbours on your right and left, but your own street entrance) in Tyne&Wear for as low as 15 to 30 K GBP, depending on location, the age of the house etc. And what is the minimum downpayment?