Your views on this property - house of dreams or nightmares?

[CobOnTheCorn]

DP and I are interested in this house but we're a bit naive about some of the aspects. We love the outside space and we'd have some money to make some improvements but not sure what is possible.

It's off gas mains and there is a tank in the garden which presumably hold fuel. This is completely alien to us. How much of a pita is it? There is an Aga, some radiators and some open fires. I'm only familiar with radiators! Will we be warm enough and will it cost us a small fortune in energy bills?

There are no neighbours at all. I can think of lots of upsides to that but what are the drawbacks?

There is a water pumping station nearby. Apart from being an eyesore, is it something we should be concerned about?

There are rabbits everywhere. It looks as though there are some holes and therefore perhaps burrows in the front garden. I love animals but could this be a problem?

The back garden is on a slope, it's difficult for me to imagine If it could be levelled, wouldn't there be a huge drop at the back?

I don't mean to sound so negative. I'm trying to balance my romantic notion with some practical advice.

Doh

It says on the estate agents website that it's SSTC. Has it come back on the market?

it says its SSTC

with the oil heating, unless it's a brand new boiler and there is excellent insulation/glazing it will cost a bomb in oil, especially if the aga is on all the time, think thousands of pounds over the whole winter season.

the lack of neighbours can be a blessing but it can be pretty spooky at night thinking that there is no-one in shouting distance. don't watch horrors on your own at night

rabbits, hmm. might they burrow under the house???

not sure about the water station - flooding risk?

no idea about the landscaping either.

also think about when it snows, do you have a car that can handle ungritted country roads? will you get stranded?

i lived in a fairly isolated house once and i didn't much like it, especially as dh worked away so found it very scary at night, especially as people got me scared about people coming to steal our oil!

The estate agent has just changed it to SSTC

That'll teach me to dither!

Hi,

I don't know the area but I've found it on a map.

Outside space - is there a lot of road noise? I's very close to some main roads, that would drive me crazy.

Off gas mains - you will have to decide whether you have LPG, oil or electric heating, none are particularly PITA but oil is expensive.

Aga - is it an oil fired? Solid fuel? We have an electric Aga and night storage heating which is perfect if you are at home during the day, less suitable for people who are out at work all day, IMO.

No neighbours at all - neighbours can be useful for security, taking in parcels and watering the greenhouse when you're away.

Water pumping station nearby - if you're not bothered than it will probably be fine, except it might put off other buyers in the future.

Rabbits - hard to get rid of unless you have a terrier type dog.

Back garden is on a slope - levelling would be astronomically expensive.

THT

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Ah, that's a shame - it looked nice (but daunting). Were you in a position to offer?