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Head or heart?

7 replies

Rollmops · 24/10/2011 21:59

Bit of a conundrum, it is.

Two properties, priced the same.

One is a well maintained 'pile' with 15 ft ceilings and gargantuan drawing rooms etc. It would cost a GDP of Belgium to heat and more to maintain, given it has ancient oil fired CH... and is grade 2 listed.

But, it's gorgeous. Grounds are magical, location perfect.

The other is brilliantly thought out and costly finished, with all the trimmings. Grounds about the same size, not as magical, but definitely 'wow' inducing. Good location. Fabulous views.

But, some of the layout does not work for us. That can not be changed. I realise that it would be the smarter option, but ... Not in love with it and know that the layout would be a issue that will bug me a lot.

Regarding the money-pit, we are going to ask the conservation officer about changing the CH to either wood pellet boiler or multifuel stoves, if the answer is no, then we will walk away - but at least we tried, no?

Please share your thoughts and wisdom and - what would you do. (Keep on looking?(?))

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aylsham · 24/10/2011 22:50

I live in a listed house and lived in my last listed house for 15 years You should have no prolem with changing the central heating and no problem with the planners. Most do take a pragmatic view of houses needing to be lived in so long as you wouldn't be destroying any 'special' features. Go with your heart. All houses are moneypits but if you love one, you find it somehow and don't mind.

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Tchootnika · 24/10/2011 22:56

Totally agree with aylsham.
Living somewhere that doesn't suit you - somewhere you dont' love - will bring you down and you won't want to put your energy into loveingly maintaining it - which is what you need to do (obv) with a home as an investment.
Heart all the way!

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OliviaMumsnet · 24/10/2011 22:59

Was going to say heart before I'd even read the OP(!) but it's def heart

Good luck whatever you do decide though.

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Rollmops · 24/10/2011 23:02

Oh thank you, aylsham, have heard so much negativity about living in a listed house over the past few days; your message gives me hope!

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Rollmops · 24/10/2011 23:06

Thank you Tchootnika and OliviaMumsnet Shock Grin. Thank you for the words of encouragement1

(I shall come knocking when a nasty little man with a clipboard comes around, ever so cross over the placement of a dishwasher or somesuch...)

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aylsham · 24/10/2011 23:15

Living in a listed house is really nothing like that. Ok, you can't knock down some walls if they show the original layout of the house. Ours was a 17c thatch and we wanted to take down a ceiling in a bedroom to 'gallery it to the roof 'that had the most fantastic cruck beams - they wouldn't let us do that becaus he original ceiling was solid oak. But actually, once I found that out, I agreed with them. None of us want to 'vandalise' the very features that attract us to the house int he first place. But the previous owners had converted stables attached to the house into an annexe, added extra bathrooms, gas central heating, all with permission. And you don't pay for listed building planning consent. If you want to make major changes the best thing to do is talk to the conservation officer before making an application. In our experience they will give you a good idea of what you can and can't do and will make suggestions also. They really do understand that the house needs to be lived in by modern families. Do NOT be afraid of the listing, especially grade II. Go for it and tell us more about this lovely house.

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Rollmops · 24/10/2011 23:25

aylsham, that was exactly what the agent told us - the conservation officers apparently do understand that the house needs to be lived in by modern families. We shall see... (crosses fingers and buys shedloads of shares in woolly jumper co. Just in case, you see...)
The house has quite historical background so hoping it won't cloud the judgement of the conservation people.

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