Project houses
Discussion
Was wondering wether you guys had any idea of the best places to look for project houses. The other half is a carpenter and wants to buy something he can tear apart and build up to how he wants it, though there doesn't seem to be that many on general house searching sites like rightmove/estate agents etc. Are they all hidden away somewhere or are people not bothering selling projects at the moment? Preferably something with some countryside, not too keen on really central areas. He currently lives in Sulhamstead/ufton nervet way.
Cheers,
Cassie
Cheers,
Cassie
You need a friend(s) in the local estate agents - usually these things are snapped up by people 'in the know' who bring in a friend to purchase these.
Failing that - you could look at auctions although they are a total lottery and if carpentry skills are the extent of the renovation skills it's a lottery finding a place that only needs this work doing. Carpentry is often a small cost in the total cost of a project house renovation. Electrics, plumbing, gas/heating, plastering, etc all usually cost waaaaay more than that. If those skills are also available - you can be on to a winner....
BUT
It's a very odd market at the moment. Great to buy in as the prices are comparatively 'cheap' against what we've been used to but no certainty of a period of increases any time soon and the prospect of further devaluing in the housing market means any purchase may end up a rather long term proposition / investment. Add in a difficult time for buy to let or similar mortgages and it's a tough call to make on a simple buy and renovate project. it's an eyes wide open situation to make the call..!
Short answer: property auctions or go spend some time schmoozing with some local estate agents
Failing that - you could look at auctions although they are a total lottery and if carpentry skills are the extent of the renovation skills it's a lottery finding a place that only needs this work doing. Carpentry is often a small cost in the total cost of a project house renovation. Electrics, plumbing, gas/heating, plastering, etc all usually cost waaaaay more than that. If those skills are also available - you can be on to a winner....
BUT
It's a very odd market at the moment. Great to buy in as the prices are comparatively 'cheap' against what we've been used to but no certainty of a period of increases any time soon and the prospect of further devaluing in the housing market means any purchase may end up a rather long term proposition / investment. Add in a difficult time for buy to let or similar mortgages and it's a tough call to make on a simple buy and renovate project. it's an eyes wide open situation to make the call..!
Short answer: property auctions or go spend some time schmoozing with some local estate agents
zhead said:
You need a friend(s) in the local estate agents - usually these things are snapped up by people 'in the know' who bring in a friend to purchase these.
Failing that - you could look at auctions although they are a total lottery and if carpentry skills are the extent of the renovation skills it's a lottery finding a place that only needs this work doing. Carpentry is often a small cost in the total cost of a project house renovation. Electrics, plumbing, gas/heating, plastering, etc all usually cost waaaaay more than that. If those skills are also available - you can be on to a winner....
BUT
It's a very odd market at the moment. Great to buy in as the prices are comparatively 'cheap' against what we've been used to but no certainty of a period of increases any time soon and the prospect of further devaluing in the housing market means any purchase may end up a rather long term proposition / investment. Add in a difficult time for buy to let or similar mortgages and it's a tough call to make on a simple buy and renovate project. it's an eyes wide open situation to make the call..!
Short answer: property auctions or go spend some time schmoozing with some local estate agents
I don't really know any estate agents unfortunately Failing that - you could look at auctions although they are a total lottery and if carpentry skills are the extent of the renovation skills it's a lottery finding a place that only needs this work doing. Carpentry is often a small cost in the total cost of a project house renovation. Electrics, plumbing, gas/heating, plastering, etc all usually cost waaaaay more than that. If those skills are also available - you can be on to a winner....
BUT
It's a very odd market at the moment. Great to buy in as the prices are comparatively 'cheap' against what we've been used to but no certainty of a period of increases any time soon and the prospect of further devaluing in the housing market means any purchase may end up a rather long term proposition / investment. Add in a difficult time for buy to let or similar mortgages and it's a tough call to make on a simple buy and renovate project. it's an eyes wide open situation to make the call..!
Short answer: property auctions or go spend some time schmoozing with some local estate agents
. The skills are all available so that should be ok. Also, I know how much kitchens can knock down house prices and as he will be rebuilding the kitchen from scratch something run down especially in that area would be idea.I.e something constructually sound but in need of a full/semi refit.
I'll mention auctions to him also, thanks Neil.
As already said most of the houses that your looking for are sold before going on the market to property developers or letting agents.
Maybe worth ringing a few estate agents and making an appointment to go in and have a chat with them. If they know that your interested then you may get a call when a house comes available
Maybe worth ringing a few estate agents and making an appointment to go in and have a chat with them. If they know that your interested then you may get a call when a house comes available
BerksJack said:
As already said most of the houses that your looking for are sold before going on the market to property developers or letting agents.
Maybe worth ringing a few estate agents and making an appointment to go in and have a chat with them. If they know that your interested then you may get a call when a house comes available
Thanks, will do. Have called chancellors and she is going to keep in touch if anything comes up also. Though I see what you mean about them giving the best 'bargains' away before they hit the shelf. I think a new career path is needed! Maybe worth ringing a few estate agents and making an appointment to go in and have a chat with them. If they know that your interested then you may get a call when a house comes available
Cas P said:
I don't really know any estate agents unfortunately . The skills are all available so that should be ok. Also, I know how much kitchens can knock down house prices and as he will be rebuilding the kitchen from scratch something run down especially in that area would be idea.
I.e something constructually sound but in need of a full/semi refit.
I'll mention auctions to him also, thanks Neil.
The phrase you're looking for is 'in need of modernisation' . The skills are all available so that should be ok. Also, I know how much kitchens can knock down house prices and as he will be rebuilding the kitchen from scratch something run down especially in that area would be idea.I.e something constructually sound but in need of a full/semi refit.
I'll mention auctions to him also, thanks Neil.
However, these are the ones which offer the least profit / return - the real wowzer ones rarely hit the open market....
If your OH really fancies a project.....I know the owners daughter of this place and know it's proving a 'challenge' for sale (note: a LOT of people get scared of Grade II status):
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...
Having been inside, it's huge and could be a real spinner - the property opposite is renovated and much smaller yet sold for c£1.2m+. It does need a lot of work but it's doable if you have trade skills available. It is a huge property though and one which will no doubt yield it's fair share of surprises.
Depending on the auction attendees and their allocation of brass - might be an attractive project.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...
Having been inside, it's huge and could be a real spinner - the property opposite is renovated and much smaller yet sold for c£1.2m+. It does need a lot of work but it's doable if you have trade skills available. It is a huge property though and one which will no doubt yield it's fair share of surprises.
Depending on the auction attendees and their allocation of brass - might be an attractive project.
zhead said:
If your OH really fancies a project.....I know the owners daughter of this place and know it's proving a 'challenge' for sale (note: a LOT of people get scared of Grade II status):
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...
Having been inside, it's huge and could be a real spinner - the property opposite is renovated and much smaller yet sold for c£1.2m+. It does need a lot of work but it's doable if you have trade skills available. It is a huge property though and one which will no doubt yield it's fair share of surprises.
Depending on the auction attendees and their allocation of brass - might be an attractive project.
That's alot of house and land for 650k!!!!!http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...
Having been inside, it's huge and could be a real spinner - the property opposite is renovated and much smaller yet sold for c£1.2m+. It does need a lot of work but it's doable if you have trade skills available. It is a huge property though and one which will no doubt yield it's fair share of surprises.
Depending on the auction attendees and their allocation of brass - might be an attractive project.
Cas P said:
Thanks, will do. Have called chancellors and she is going to keep in touch if anything comes up also. Though I see what you mean about them giving the best 'bargains' away before they hit the shelf. I think a new career path is needed!
That's ok. It is a bit of a closed Market but you may get lucky, and once you've got the 1st one done and a foot in the door with someone the 2nd one will be a bit easier to find.Unfortunately the type of house which would be bought, is from family's whose relaitves have passed on and are looking for quick sales, cash normally is king in these situations
zhead said:
If your OH really fancies a project.....I know the owners daughter of this place and know it's proving a 'challenge' for sale (note: a LOT of people get scared of Grade II status):
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...
Having been inside, it's huge and could be a real spinner - the property opposite is renovated and much smaller yet sold for c£1.2m+. It does need a lot of work but it's doable if you have trade skills available. It is a huge property though and one which will no doubt yield it's fair share of surprises.
Depending on the auction attendees and their allocation of brass - might be an attractive project.
That is loverly, I would love that!!! http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...
Having been inside, it's huge and could be a real spinner - the property opposite is renovated and much smaller yet sold for c£1.2m+. It does need a lot of work but it's doable if you have trade skills available. It is a huge property though and one which will no doubt yield it's fair share of surprises.
Depending on the auction attendees and their allocation of brass - might be an attractive project.
Grade II is OK as long as you understand it full before commiting, as a friendly architect type.
And Neil I have to bring you up on
zhead said:
If your OH really fancies a project.....I know the owners daughter
made me chuckle... 
The National Self Build & Renovation Centre in Swindon is worth a visit on one of there show days , next one being end of Feb.Worth a visit even on a none show day as well.
http://www.buildstore.co.uk/mykindofhome/index.htm...
Last time we went they had stands with projects for sale all around the UK, company's that you would normally have to subscribe to like
http://www.buildstore.co.uk/findingland/
The place is full of ideas & very interesting if you are going down the project route.
We got lucky with our place just by trawling the internet and reading between the lines of the estate agents bull sh;t. As the others have said, there is a lot of underhand dealing going on in estate agents, even if a place comes on to the market, you might find the place suddenly sells for less than what you offered !
http://www.buildstore.co.uk/mykindofhome/index.htm...
Last time we went they had stands with projects for sale all around the UK, company's that you would normally have to subscribe to like
http://www.buildstore.co.uk/findingland/
The place is full of ideas & very interesting if you are going down the project route.
We got lucky with our place just by trawling the internet and reading between the lines of the estate agents bull sh;t. As the others have said, there is a lot of underhand dealing going on in estate agents, even if a place comes on to the market, you might find the place suddenly sells for less than what you offered !
http://www.romans.co.uk/Documents/PDF/AuctionCatal...
A lot of the lots
are tending to go for a bit more than the guide price these days but the odd bargain shows up from time to time
A lot of the lots
are tending to go for a bit more than the guide price these days but the odd bargain shows up from time to timeGassing Station | Thames Valley & Surrey | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff