The asking price for our (built 1886) cottage was £6,000 in 1973. We could not get a mortgage as DH worked for the family firm on low wages and the mortgage companies would not take into account his earnings from his dance band. Finally we were granted a £3,500 mortgage from the local Council, on condition that we undertook to bring the house back up to standard within 5 years. We put in an offer of £4,500 on the closing date which was accepted as the only one on the table. We had saved £1000 deposit by banking every penny of the band earnings over 18months. What we had not reckoned on was £250 legal fees, which we covered by selling everything of value - my Gold sovereign and silver 3d collection, Dh's stamp collection + 4 weeks pay in advance £80. Had to move in, penniless, with baby + toddler, the day after we got the keys as we could not pay our Council House rent. Thankfully, the mortgage was paid 6 monthly - at 11 7/8% - so after a very frugal Autumn and Christmas we had saved the payment.
We got a grant of £3000 from the council and the offer of an extra £3000 on the mortgage to complete a kitchen extension and a bathroom in the box room, but by doing all the work ourselves, with some help from our Dads (Electrician & Joiner) we did not need to take out the extra mortgage.
Value today??? probably only around £150,000 as just 2 bedrooms and on a now VERY busy main road. Not an issue as we have no intention of moving.