Where to buy old barns/churches/warehouses
Discussion
Hi
I really fancy getting my teeth stuck into a project and would love to do a small conversion.
Not necessarily as an investment but with the aim to have it as my own house. although I would like to make a nice profit when i do eventually move out.
Anyone got a good website or any advice where to find such properties?
Thanks
I really fancy getting my teeth stuck into a project and would love to do a small conversion.
Not necessarily as an investment but with the aim to have it as my own house. although I would like to make a nice profit when i do eventually move out.
Anyone got a good website or any advice where to find such properties?
Thanks
want to do something like this
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/proper...
it was this exact property that made me want to do it!
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/proper...
it was this exact property that made me want to do it!
Churches remain consecrated even if they are converted for other use and the CofE (and I assume others) can demand the building back at any time in the future.
There was a chap in Ireland who build a "drop in house" into a disused church so that if they wanted it back, he took the roof off and lifted it out and put it else where.
I think Chapels are different.
There was a chap in Ireland who build a "drop in house" into a disused church so that if they wanted it back, he took the roof off and lifted it out and put it else where.
I think Chapels are different.
ok. if its warehouse apt. you want, try looking for projects going through planning or in the early stages of construction.
contact/negotiate to buy a shell apt. this is basically an empty space with windows, doors and utilities brought into the space but little else. urban splash used to sell most of their early developments this way and it could be attractive to the developer in this climate. buy a corner plot in a decent location and aim to spec. above the rest of the building for max. benefit.
my mate used to design layouts whilst still a student architect, which would keep your costs down.
contact/negotiate to buy a shell apt. this is basically an empty space with windows, doors and utilities brought into the space but little else. urban splash used to sell most of their early developments this way and it could be attractive to the developer in this climate. buy a corner plot in a decent location and aim to spec. above the rest of the building for max. benefit.
my mate used to design layouts whilst still a student architect, which would keep your costs down.
shirt said:
council should have a person/department dedicated to derelict buildings. grants may also be available.
eta -theres a book called how to rescue a house (from the BBC series) which has some good sources of info & contact lists.
Any more info on these grants?eta -theres a book called how to rescue a house (from the BBC series) which has some good sources of info & contact lists.
Edited by shirt on Wednesday 17th March 17:57
How easy is it to get planning permission to convert an old industrail unit or church?
Am I likely to get a bargin or will I be paying over the odds?
Simpo Two said:
StevieBee said:
the CofE (and I assume others) can demand the building back at any time in the future.
Well that's not very Christian of them! JC said you had to give stuff away!(I thought churches could be de-consecrated though)
De-consecration depends on the existence of graves and status. Chapels tend to be informal "meeting houses" so are less restricted.
Don't forget that there's always the danger the the new property could be sucked into a vortex contained within the wardrobe and the only way through is with a TV, tennis ball and small lady!!
sidekickdmr said:
Any more info on these grants?
they vary from council to council. i live in a conservation area and my local council gives grants of upto 85% of work required for frontage improvements [which includes windows and roofing] and to reinstate original features. they also do a packaged grant to reinstate derelict or subdivided property back to residential use. my next door but one neighbour currently has an army of subbies crawling over his 6bed georgian semi that he bought from the council for a song under this scheme.best contact the council in those areas you are looking at. speak to the conservation/heritage dept. and visit them face to face if possible. mine were yoghurt knitters but very willing to splash cash.
sidekickdmr said:
How easy is it to get planning permission to convert an old industrail unit or church?
this is the uk, planning for one person doing something in one area does not neccesarily mean someone else in a different location will get it. i've read of people giving up on projects after years of failing to get permission, then more switched on guys taking over and winning it in mere months. planning [to me] seems to be about:a] getting locals on your side, which is easier via presenting your plans and chatting rather than submitting planning apps. first then fighting objections.
b] overcoming usual council clipboard wielders.
i'm not a planner or a property mogul of any sort so take the above with a dose of salt. as with most things in life though, i feel that planning is a matter of approach, presentation and thinking ahead.
sidekickdmr said:
Am I likely to get a bargin or will I be paying over the odds?
really depends on where you are. in berkshire i very much doubt you will. however, if you see a derelict building which isn't for sale, trace the owner [via land registry] make contact and negotiate, then who knows.up here, bargains abound. the neighbour above paid about £70k for his 6bed georgian property [G2 listed]. It was largely f
ked but then the grants cover the repairs to the fabric of the building to heritage standards so all he has to pay for is the internal fit out. personally, as a first project i'd go with something like a shell apartment in a warehouse. i'm not sure what its like down south for this though as these things are abundant oop here in the industrial norf!
renovating the fabric of a building is a total pita, takes far longer/costs more than you ever realised and makes you wish you never bothered. trust me on this. i bought a derelict 1850's terrace that was subdivided, boarded up and abandoned for 5years. its had everything including being stripped back to bare brick walls and concrete floors [which needed drilling for new gas/elec feeds and heating pipes].
its taken double the amount of time i imagined and the budget has been a battle [but possible as i do most of the work myself and am creative in how i spend it] and has cost me 2 dream jobs [couldn't emigrate as selling would have been financial suicide at that point] and one relationship. as such i'm not sure the projected profit [twice annual salary hopefully] will be worth it. i wont feel any sense of achievement or satisfaction, just glad to get rid and get the f
k out of this place.3 words - eyes wide open!
eta - i did buy the place with zero DIY skills and besides the windows, doors, new staircase and plastering i've done everything myself. DIY skills now very considerable which will bode well for the future i guess.
I would love to do a project like this in a few years time for my next home.
Is it something that novices (I've only done light refurb work on a few houses so far) can get into and come out successfully or is it something that many try and end up failing or spending a lot more than they anticipated?
Is it something that novices (I've only done light refurb work on a few houses so far) can get into and come out successfully or is it something that many try and end up failing or spending a lot more than they anticipated?
sidekickdmr said:
want to do something like this
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/proper...
it was this exact property that made me want to do it!
You WANT to live in Adelaide place? Do you know the area? This particular bit is a little bit grotty.... Saying that, there is a new Police station over the road!http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/proper...
it was this exact property that made me want to do it!
Windsor Esplanade, just down the road, is much nicer!
how long is a piece of string?
its possible. just not as easy these days without [sarah beeny] the rise in the market [/sarah beeny] there to save you if you overspend. overrunning in the years upto the crash were positively a good thing.
deals abound, a derelict may be an option as fewer developers chasing them at present and the price would be keen. trade rates are also cheaper than they have been with very good rates as these guys need to eat too. i'm having a staircase fitted at present and can't fathom how the guy is making money off it. another good thing is that the waiting time for a tradesman to 'fit you in' has also reduced.
its possible. just not as easy these days without [sarah beeny] the rise in the market [/sarah beeny] there to save you if you overspend. overrunning in the years upto the crash were positively a good thing.
deals abound, a derelict may be an option as fewer developers chasing them at present and the price would be keen. trade rates are also cheaper than they have been with very good rates as these guys need to eat too. i'm having a staircase fitted at present and can't fathom how the guy is making money off it. another good thing is that the waiting time for a tradesman to 'fit you in' has also reduced.
maser_spyder said:
sidekickdmr said:
want to do something like this
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/proper...
it was this exact property that made me want to do it!
You WANT to live in Adelaide place? Do you know the area? This particular bit is a little bit grotty.... Saying that, there is a new Police station over the road!http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/proper...
it was this exact property that made me want to do it!
Windsor Esplanade, just down the road, is much nicer!
I mean the style/building type (used to be a rundown church hall!)
sidekickdmr said:
maser_spyder said:
sidekickdmr said:
want to do something like this
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/proper...
it was this exact property that made me want to do it!
You WANT to live in Adelaide place? Do you know the area? This particular bit is a little bit grotty.... Saying that, there is a new Police station over the road!http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/proper...
it was this exact property that made me want to do it!
Windsor Esplanade, just down the road, is much nicer!
I mean the style/building type (used to be a rundown church hall!)
Are we talking Cardiff / South Wales area though?
sidekickdmr said:
Possibly in cardiff! I'm living here atm and would be nice to do it here!
Either cardiff or reading/wokingham
I've seen a nice unused warehouse/storage building in cardiff but it is owned by a brewery, I have emailed them to see if they would consider selling it! No reply yet!
OK, Cardiff going to be expensive, and you're unlikely to find any churches. A little bit further afield (although in to the grotty bits I'm afraid), churches et. al. come up for sale very regularly indeed, and normally at very low prices.Either cardiff or reading/wokingham
I've seen a nice unused warehouse/storage building in cardiff but it is owned by a brewery, I have emailed them to see if they would consider selling it! No reply yet!
They almost always come up at auction.
Local auctioneers to you are;
RH Seel and Co. - Very old school, very professional, very trustworthy.
http://www.rhseel.co.uk/auctionsonlinecatalogue.ht...
(Check this month lot 10 - it's a church for £18k guide!)
Paul Fosh auctioneers - I've bought a few from these guys, a good outfit.
http://www.eigroup.co.uk/auctioneers/templates/gui...
or their website
http://www.paulfoshauctions.co.uk/
Lastly (and very much leastly) - Darlows - A miserable shower unfortunately, but some good properties sometimes.
http://www.mustbesoldwales.com
If you try the national auctioneers (Allsop - http://www.auction.co.uk/residential/home.asp), they sometimes have odd bits around the country that are generally sold cheaply as the auctions are in London rather than local to the property itself.
Hope that helps, and good luck!
ETA - Check Lot 22 at Seel this month too, Blackwood isn't actually that bad an area!
Edited by maser_spyder on Thursday 18th March 14:16
looking on streetview, that place is huge for £18k! agree the valleys would be a good bet.
as mentioned before, look for integrity of the structure. its often cheaper to knock a building down and new build than renovate if the damage/deterioration is to widespread.
i was a wee bit grouchy about it earlier. i guess i have enjoyed the process, more so than what i was doing for the 9-5.
as mentioned before, look for integrity of the structure. its often cheaper to knock a building down and new build than renovate if the damage/deterioration is to widespread.
i was a wee bit grouchy about it earlier. i guess i have enjoyed the process, more so than what i was doing for the 9-5.
Dick Dastardly said:
That £18K place rings a bell. I swear it was up for auction a year or so ago when I went to RH Seel.
Not too far from Cardiff either, a 15 minute blast down A and B roads and you are in central Cardiff.
Wouldn't surprise me. When I lived in Cardiff, I used to see the same places come up every 6 months, a bit like a 5 year old car with 10 owners.... There's obviously something more seriously wrong with them than is apparent!Not too far from Cardiff either, a 15 minute blast down A and B roads and you are in central Cardiff.
Unfortunately, it's a 15 minute blast in to one of the most depressing places in the country. It really is bad up there.
Not saying don't buy it (I own a few in this area
), but don't buy it to live there....Edited by maser_spyder on Thursday 18th March 16:52
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