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Original poster

Can you find this house please?

131 replies

TheHillsAreAliveWithTheSoundOfEtc · 27/01/2023 04:23

Before I start, I know that this is a bit mad and it sounds like we want the moon on a stick, but bear with me.

We have £500k cash.
Both can work from anywhere.
Current property is sold, we are confident that we can find another buyer if it all fell through. We had 3 offers on this house, it's a desirable area etc.
We don't want to dick anyone around, similarly we want to find the right place for us.

In addition to our cash we could get up to £500k mortgage. We don't want to buy a £1 million house, we want to buy a house and make it the way we want.
Ideally we want to buy a house for £500k, and take up to £200k mortgage for 'improvements'.

We are middle aged. DCs have left home.
We have difficult relationships with both sets of our parents, they are all in the South West. We want to be far enough away, but not too far. Am the only daughter on my side & only wife on DH's side, if we stay, care of parents will fall to me.

We want:
A house with views, maybe on a hill or in a valley, with views. Areas we would consider (price permitting):
Herefordshire
South Wales inc Carmarthenshire/Pembrokeshire
Anywhere on the Wales/England border, up to and including Shropshire

The house;
4+ beds
Plenty of outside space - at least 1/2 an acre
Lots of parking inc space for double garage if one doesn't already exist
Outbuildings if possible

We want to be able to sit and enjoy dinner in the sunset.
We particularly like South Wales

One example of the type of house we like:

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/123993128#/?channel=RES_BUY

All ideas gratefully received and considered!
Thank you Smile

OP posts:
Orangetapemeasure · 27/01/2023 06:17

Slight de-rail….but why do you want a 4 bed house if there are only 2 of you? It’s sounds like you are at the stage in life where you should be downsizing……

ApolloandDaphne · 27/01/2023 06:28

Orangetapemeasure · 27/01/2023 06:17

Slight de-rail….but why do you want a 4 bed house if there are only 2 of you? It’s sounds like you are at the stage in life where you should be downsizing……

Not everyone wants or needs to downsize. My DH and I are now 60 and we have just remodelled our 4 bed house as we love it and the area we live in. We have extra rooms for friends and family to come and stay. Why do people think that we need much smaller houses as we get older?

I don't know that area OP but I hope you find your dream home.

greenspaces4peace · 27/01/2023 06:31

@Orangetapemeasure When kids and grandkids come to visit, plus add in a hobby or two . A two bed isn’t suitable.

Orangetapemeasure · 27/01/2023 06:36

@greenspaces4peace a two bed isn’t suitable for a growing family either.

MintJulia · 27/01/2023 06:41

You could look at some areas of Wiltshire. There are houses close to Salisbury Plain that would fit your description and budget.

It also has the advantage of being on the train route to the West Country which could be useful, and close to the A303. It's far enough away, but not totally inaccessible.

potandcoffee · 27/01/2023 06:54

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/63817149/

GoodChat · 27/01/2023 06:54

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/118860437

GoodChat · 27/01/2023 06:55

Ohhh www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/119333747

GoodChat · 27/01/2023 06:58

I love house porn www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/125990225

Carrotpuffs · 27/01/2023 07:05

I know this isn't the point of the thread but I absolutely cannot believe this comment: Am the only daughter on my side & only wife on DH's side, if we stay, care of parents will fall to me.

Why?!?!?

Elsanore · 27/01/2023 07:12

Carrotpuffs · 27/01/2023 07:05

I know this isn't the point of the thread but I absolutely cannot believe this comment: Am the only daughter on my side & only wife on DH's side, if we stay, care of parents will fall to me.

Why?!?!?

I was about to say the exact same thing.

You are not the default carer because you are a woman! If my family had this expectation I I'd be addressing that right now. Consider moving further away from them not staying close!

Beth262 · 27/01/2023 07:20

I know you're probably already aware OP but you'll get far more for your money in South Wales than the England/Wales border. I have family who are looking for pretty much what you are and similar property is 1 million on the border or 500k in South Wales. Also Carmarthenshire is generally cheaper than Pembrokeshire and I know you said that you want to be far away but not too far from family so be aware it takes (what feels like forever) to drive to the M4 from some parts of Pembrokeshire. I currently live just outside Carmarthen so please PM if there's anything I can help with about this neck of the woods.

BookwormButNoTime · 27/01/2023 07:35

It sounds daft but I would concentrate your search on detached bungalows. They often come with a large amount of land and have a very spacious footprint. They also often need cosmetic upgrade work but are structurally sound and you always have the option of going up.

Also they are often chain free as their previous owner has gone into a home or it’s in probate. The people selling are therefore fans of people also in no chain so you have extra bargaining power.

Location of this one is probably not quite what you are after and it’s really quite ugly now, but it has so much potential. Has been on the market a while and is empty. Just an example of the sort of space you get.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/128341439#/map?channel=RES_BUY

I’m the proud owner of a bungalow that’s in the process of becoming a house!!!

BookwormButNoTime · 27/01/2023 07:56

Some more bungalows

Four acres and a holiday cottage included:

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/129803264#/?channel=RES_BUY

Doesn’t have the land but I’d compromise for those views

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/130475990#/?channel=RES_BUY

If you’re up for a lot of work but everything you want

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/128308406#/?channel=RES_BUY

Already has planning

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/130245131#/?channel=RES_BUY

Everything done

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/130143116#/?channel=RES_BUY

TeaChocKitKat · 27/01/2023 08:18

You will get a lot more house for your money in South wales. Just found these as an example:

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/130223342#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/124368089?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=buying&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY

The first link is in the valleys and about 40 minutes north of cardiff. The second one is close to the M4 and close to Cardiff.

CellophaneFlower · 27/01/2023 09:40

Orangetapemeasure · 27/01/2023 06:36

@greenspaces4peace a two bed isn’t suitable for a growing family either.

Whilst I sympathise with families that are stuck in a house that's too small for them, it would never be the reason I downsized.

If I did, it would be as it would make life easier for myself, not out of some kind of duty/unwritten law which states I'm only allowed rooms for which I have children to fill.

SollaSollew · 27/01/2023 11:19

Oooh I love these threads!

Around your budget but needing work, within 20 miles of Shropshire, I've really focused on mountains!

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/96562885#/?channel=RES_BUY
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/129559289#/?channel=RES_BUY
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/129590258#/?channel=RES_BUY
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/128278973#/?channel=RES_BUY
This one has a 2 bed cottage you can live in while doing the work www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/128266979#/?channel=RES_BUY

ScatteredMama82 · 27/01/2023 11:24

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/128124896#/?channel=RES_BUY Shropshire

GoodChat · 27/01/2023 11:28

SollaSollew · 27/01/2023 11:19

Oooh I love these threads!

Around your budget but needing work, within 20 miles of Shropshire, I've really focused on mountains!

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/96562885#/?channel=RES_BUY
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/129559289#/?channel=RES_BUY
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/129590258#/?channel=RES_BUY
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/128278973#/?channel=RES_BUY
This one has a 2 bed cottage you can live in while doing the work www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/128266979#/?channel=RES_BUY

The water mill is GORGEOUS!

NameChange005 · 27/01/2023 11:42

Orangetapemeasure · 27/01/2023 06:17

Slight de-rail….but why do you want a 4 bed house if there are only 2 of you? It’s sounds like you are at the stage in life where you should be downsizing……

A 4 bed house is going to have a much bigger downstairs area, apart from anything else.

Mischance · 27/01/2023 11:53

GoodChat · 27/01/2023 06:55

I live round here. St Briavels is splendid - real sense of community and a lovely village with community-run shop/library/coffee shop. It is at the top of a winding hill, overlooking the River Wye. It is easy to get to the M4/5 via nearby Chepstow.

Mischance · 27/01/2023 11:55

GoodChat · 27/01/2023 06:58

I would avoid Skenfrith - it is beautiful and by the Monnow and a castle - but because of its location within the surrounding hills it is in shadow most of the time and is also a major flood risk.

Coxspurplepippin · 27/01/2023 12:00

NameChange005 · 27/01/2023 11:42

A 4 bed house is going to have a much bigger downstairs area, apart from anything else.

Show quote history

Definitely - we only needed 2 bedrooms but ended up with 4 because the living areas/kitchen in 2 bedroomed properties weren't big enough to swing a cat.