Omlet Smart Autodoor - New in box

[chuckmum6]

This is a long post - sorry!

We have been looking with increasing seriousness to move closer to where we work and the boys go to school, as we find the one and a half hours travelling each day tough. The trouble has been we all love our house and village, YS son was even born in our sitting room! The house used to be my Gran's, we bought it, redesigned it, doubled it in size and have been happy here for 15 years +, it has been in the family for 40 years. So, as you can probably guess I/we are very attached!

 

We work at a school in Long Eaton Nottingham,and the children go to the school too, ES will start doing Saturday morning school too from next September. Our social life isn't in the village and the children's friend are a good distance away. Our village has no amenities now, the pub has just closed, but is in a lovely part of the Vale of Belvior. My mum used to live in the village, but she died 18 months ago, so really many of the reasons for us staying have gone. Practically, a place closer to work will help massively, OH is involved increasingly in late night and away from home commitments, the fuel costs are shocking and it is a long drive, especially in the winter. Our children will be needing more socially in the next 5 yrs or so too.

 

So this half term we have done some more viewing, all places we have seen have been ruled out except one. It is part of a small development of 10 homes, developed from an old Victorian hospital, importantly in the countryside, backing onto open fields, with a livery/riding centre nearby. The house is in great condition, it is a room short downstairs, but we could convert one of the garages to make the additional room that is missing, I would also want to add a sunlight tube in one bedroom and maybe a dormer in the master, as they are a bit dark and don't capitalise on the open views. The garden has a perfect area for hens, it would need fencing properly but they could be contained in a good sized area. There is an area for the dogs and some lovely parts for humans, there are fields at the back, which will be good for our cats, and dog walks. It is all low maintance, which is ideal as neither of us has the time or interest in gardening. It is private has lots of open spaces atound it, it ticks most of the boxes. But, it is expensive for a house that is basically an end large terrace, rather than detached, it will only appeal to certain types, because it is so rural and a gated community. I think it maybe harder to sell on than a bog standard box, but we would be happy in it, I think. We would need to pay a fair price that reflect the negatives, we would need to get at least 10%+ off the price, ideally more like 15%+. It has had 7 viewings since August and one offer, that fell through. How much do you think the market had changed in the last year or so? How low should we start, bearing in mind we will put our house on the market next weekend. Sorry for the long post, it is all rather stressful and that is before we even get to solicitors, packing etc!!!

Also, OH doesn't want to take our cock Onion anywhere with us, so he will need rehoming.

[Adelochick]

Hello chuckmum6,

 

You don't say if this development will be lease- or freehold, will there be maintenance charges to pay each year, do you know if there are any clauses in deeds to hinder your lifestyle there, are you actually able to have livestock there (ie poultry etc), is it near enough to work/schools (as you say it's still a rural location) to make moving from your village home cost effective for you all?

 

I don't mean to put a downer on you but these were just a few things I thought of. Good luck, Jx.

[Chicken shack]

Houses prices have not really moved much since 2007. There is only two places where prices have increased and is in Kent not sure where the other one is. We sold and bought two houses last year it took 5 months to do both and although looking back I thought it was stressfull at the time it went quite smoothly. Look at what houses like yours have sold for as they will give you a good idea of what you can get for yours. We really wanted the house we bought and offered the asking price. DD house we manged to get a liitle off. We sold at competative prices. Good luck.

[lindafw]

well said Adelochick, its not a downer...its sensible. Check and double check about your poultry...also there is no harm knocking on neighbours doors and asking how they would feel about chooks and children, what the area is like etc.

 

Many years ago we were warned off a house because as the neighbour said... he did the rewiring and they had a fire, he did plumbing and they had a flood...and did he mention the big hole that might be a well in the garden..no he hadn't..we passed

[keyhole kate]

All the advice given sounds practical especially where your chickens are concerned as for prices Zoopla will give you the sold prices of property in the area you are looking to buy perhaps even the price the house your interested when last sold. Don't let it stress you although I know it's easier said than done

[chuckmum6]

Hello chuckmum6,

 

You don't say if this development will be lease- or freehold, will there be maintenance charges to pay each year, do you know if there are any clauses in deeds to hinder your lifestyle there, are you actually able to have livestock there (ie poultry etc), is it near enough to work/schools (as you say it's still a rural location) to make moving from your village home cost effective for you all?

 

I don't mean to put a downer on you but these were just a few things I thought of. Good luck, Jx.

 

No thanks, it is one of the reasons for my post, you may think of things I don't! It is freehold, the residents have a service charge they set, which is £800 per year, I don't know if it is pricy. It covers the cost of the grounds up keep and the maintenance of the septic tank. I asked about poultry before I viewed (my priority) and they are fine. The school is 8 minutes away and close to a bus route, which would be good for ES. Thank you and keep your thoughts coming!