26.4.15

DREAM HOME. TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY?

Hello,

If you follow any of my social media feeds you will see that Mr C and I are considering another move, not to mention a huge project!

Our home, a victorian semi in rural Bedfordshire is all but finished. It took four years to do, with one new kitchen, three new loos, discovering three fire places and leaving the fourth one alone!
We did everything from stripping layer upon layer of paint and paper, to treating all the floors for woodworm. So why move? I hear you ask...  I've got the renovation bug!

We're looking now at 'Dream Home 2' lol.  Call me crazy but I want to do a grade 2 listed cottage, and not just any grade 2 cottage, but one thats in real need of repair.

Let me introduce potential dream home number 2-


Well, part of it. We stumbled upon it whilst having a drive out in the countryside about a month ago. Four viewings later and we are learning a lot about our potential new pad, we haven't made an offer yet, and we haven't run away yet either, but I'm just starting to find out how much red tape is involved with a grade 2 build.


Now I thought that because I didn't want to extend the property in any way, and I'd be wanting to replace only what is needed with like for like, that everything would be hunky dory! Oh how naive was I... 
I knew that windows had to be the same, and that I couldn't alter the look of the cottage (which is fine as we love it as is). 
But.....
The cottage is of a timber frame, which in most places has rotted away near enough completely, oh and did I mention the subsidence? It's ok, as its old lol.
But I thought we'd just get the right people in to fix it, once again silly me, but I am loving learning about it.

Even though these timbers would be replaced by a specialist, we still require planning, even though we are righting it and not doing anything nasty. Its fine if that what it takes, and its made me more determined to be no fool and learn everything that I most possibly can about grade 2, and our potential new home.


One of my first ports of call was to register with  Listed Property Owners Club The club is for people owning or considering buying a graded property and comes with invaluable information on planning, specialists, and courses on maintaining your property.

Another incredibly interesting read is 'Save Britain's Heritage' where you can join up and make donations. Also interesting is the record they keep on uninhabited houses of grading, some of which are for sale, plus if you know of any properties in a severe condition then you can report it to them.




I'm also learning that grade 2 can include fireplaces so I may have to re-think the position of that Rayburn, and also pipes... I was wanting to move the kitchen to a different room, hmmm not as straight forward as I would've liked, but never mind, we're not put off yet!

If you love it then its worth jumping through hoops right?

Anyway we are still a long way off but seem to be going in the right direction. We've had a survey done which has thrown up the need for a structural engineer and a timber specialist. Plus we need to get in touch with the local planning department.

I will keep my blog up to date with our progress on buying a grade 2,
but for now time to get the estate agents round ours...

Emma x


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2 comments

  1. Oooh good luck Emma!... I think it sounds so exciting!... xoxo... Julie Marie

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