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Original poster

Help me save this listed property!

44 replies

HP89 · 18/10/2023 20:01

There is a gorgeous house I have been in love with for many years… the house was put on the market around 7 years ago but was in no position to buy it, and to be honest never thought I would be.

Fast forward to now, circumstances have changed and now in a position to upgrade considerably. BAM, the house is on the market again, going to auction, unoccupied, and a little worse for wear but still in all its period feature glory!

Our house isn’t on the market yet/ we aren’t cash ready so we didn’t register for the auction and I had let myself have a little sad day at missing the opportunity to own this house I have fantasised over since I was a girl.

The auction date passes and much to my surprise, the house doesn’t sell and is on the market but with the auctioneers “available post-auction”.
obviously my delusional side says it’s because it’s waiting for us!

Due to convoluted job circumstances DH doesn’t want to put our house on the market until December/January.

Can we still make an offer !? Is it ridiculous? It is empty and looks as though it has been for some time and given it was auction I’m guessing it would be no chain.

I am so in love with this house, I have driven by it everyday since it came on the market again. Would love so advice/opinions on the best steps to take to maximise the small chance I have to own and save this special listed building!!

OP posts:
BasiliskStare · 18/10/2023 20:16

Hard to appreciate your enthusiasm unless I can see the house - I promise I am not thinking of moving . PM it if not prepared to put it on here

I would speak the the EA and tell them your circumstances and see what they say . Either someone will have put in an offer or it is still available and I think you will need in that case a realistic idea of how long your house will need to sell . But I suspect not even being on the market will not make you v attractive buyers - so maybe speak to DH about that. I would speak to EA and write / email to register strong interest and ask to pass to owners .

fernsandlilies · 18/10/2023 20:24

Do you know anything about the condition of the property? And are you ready and willing to spend £££ and then more £££?

Alissia · 18/10/2023 20:29

We were once in just your position, however when, years later, we viewed it internally and realised how much we would have needed to do we declined. Can you ask for a viewing?

Original poster
HP89 · 18/10/2023 20:32

fernsandlilies · 18/10/2023 20:24

Do you know anything about the condition of the property? And are you ready and willing to spend £££ and then more £££?

Thanks for your reply :)
I know as much as the virtual video tour so far and about 50 photos taken a few months ago. So nothing from a builder or surveyor. main building looks liveable and water tight, with central heating, but the derelict barns are another story…

Yes, ready to part with £££++! I suppose was writing to see if I would be mad for asking for a viewing if timescale was ridiculous.

OP posts:
Original poster
HP89 · 18/10/2023 20:36

BasiliskStare · 18/10/2023 20:16

Hard to appreciate your enthusiasm unless I can see the house - I promise I am not thinking of moving . PM it if not prepared to put it on here

I would speak the the EA and tell them your circumstances and see what they say . Either someone will have put in an offer or it is still available and I think you will need in that case a realistic idea of how long your house will need to sell . But I suspect not even being on the market will not make you v attractive buyers - so maybe speak to DH about that. I would speak to EA and write / email to register strong interest and ask to pass to owners .

Thanks for your reply- I’ll PM you a pic for inspiration!
I think I need to contact them for a viewing tomorrow. This post was to get feelers out, was waiting for the “you are crazy you’ll never do it”, and haven’t had one yet so
think a viewing is the next step! Don’t want to waste any EA time if they think we are not proceed-able, but I guess can share our situation and ask for advice!

OP posts:
Original poster
HP89 · 18/10/2023 20:37

Alissia · 18/10/2023 20:29

We were once in just your position, however when, years later, we viewed it internally and realised how much we would have needed to do we declined. Can you ask for a viewing?

Thank you, yes I think we will contact tomorrow to book 🤞🏼

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MaggieFS · 18/10/2023 20:40

Absolutely chat to the EA. And have a look. It may actually not be for you! If it is, is your DH willing to put yours on the market aiming for completion after Christmas, or unwilling to even market it? If the house didn't even sell at auction, there might be a way to find a solution. Good luck!

Original poster
HP89 · 18/10/2023 20:47

MaggieFS · 18/10/2023 20:40

Absolutely chat to the EA. And have a look. It may actually not be for you! If it is, is your DH willing to put yours on the market aiming for completion after Christmas, or unwilling to even market it? If the house didn't even sell at auction, there might be a way to find a solution. Good luck!

Thanks for your reply!
Yes think we can’t move forward without seeing it now. DH has a very very tight deadline in Jan and doesn’t really want
to take on any other mental stress at the moment - like going to market! We had already agreed to list in the spring but I just can’t drop the thoughts of this house! Hoping he will view, fall in love and run to the EA 🤣

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Messyhair321 · 18/10/2023 21:55

I think if you make an offer without your house being available sounds a bit uncertain for the seller. I'd view the property & then list your house or get ready to list at the very least ie start getting in touch with agents for valuations etc- it might take ages to sell anyway.
Initially speak to the EA & get the lay of the land

Original poster
HP89 · 18/10/2023 22:02

Messyhair321 · 18/10/2023 21:55

I think if you make an offer without your house being available sounds a bit uncertain for the seller. I'd view the property & then list your house or get ready to list at the very least ie start getting in touch with agents for valuations etc- it might take ages to sell anyway.
Initially speak to the EA & get the lay of the land

Thank you! Good advice there! We are actually market ready, had the valuation, pics and virtual tour done a couple of months ago whilst the garden was nice and we’d done some updating. So hopefully just a call to the agent to instruct! A house has just gone on our road and was only listed for 3 weeks before selling, so hopefully a good sign but understand things change and the market is crap….

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caringcarer · 18/10/2023 22:12

I'd definitely contact EA and ask to view. I'm assuming your DH knows how in love with this house you are. Does your current house need much work doing on it before it can go to market? If it doesn't I'd work on DH. I'd tell him I'd do all the sales stuff so he can concentrate on his work. If all else failed I'd cry. I know how you feel. I fell in love with a place called Wilnecote Hall. It was all I wanted in a house. First it was on the market for far above what we could afford. Then off market then about 18 months ago it came back to market much reduced for quick sale as vendors had to move. I worked out if we sold our house and 3 btl houses we could get it. Just 3 days later it was sstc. The buyers have spent a lot on it. They've had the whole house pointed which would have cost a bomb. The couple who bought it keep updating a local webpage and must admit they have it looking lovely.

Kentlane · 18/10/2023 22:21

Definitely view it and talk to the EA. We fell in love with a house before we were intending to sell. We viewed it and loved it so spent 2 weeks manically getting our house ready and we went on with the same EA as them. We've had an offer and they've accepted ours so fingers crossed it all goes through.

As you're already market ready go for a viewing and see how you dh finds it. Fingers crossed for you.

Original poster
HP89 · 18/10/2023 22:26

caringcarer · 18/10/2023 22:12

I'd definitely contact EA and ask to view. I'm assuming your DH knows how in love with this house you are. Does your current house need much work doing on it before it can go to market? If it doesn't I'd work on DH. I'd tell him I'd do all the sales stuff so he can concentrate on his work. If all else failed I'd cry. I know how you feel. I fell in love with a place called Wilnecote Hall. It was all I wanted in a house. First it was on the market for far above what we could afford. Then off market then about 18 months ago it came back to market much reduced for quick sale as vendors had to move. I worked out if we sold our house and 3 btl houses we could get it. Just 3 days later it was sstc. The buyers have spent a lot on it. They've had the whole house pointed which would have cost a bomb. The couple who bought it keep updating a local webpage and must admit they have it looking lovely.

Ha ha, are we the same person?
Was Wilnecote Hall in Tamworth? (Just had a quick google)
I think I have already cried (pathetic!). Just can’t help feel it’s such an opportunity, and we are so so so nearly there with timings! Have done up our current place, worked to be mortgage free, built up a load of equity from the refurb and general prices rising. When I saw this house on the market again I got smacked with “oh my god, we could actually make this work!”. Now it’s all I can think about!

OP posts:
Original poster
HP89 · 18/10/2023 22:27

Kentlane · 18/10/2023 22:21

Definitely view it and talk to the EA. We fell in love with a house before we were intending to sell. We viewed it and loved it so spent 2 weeks manically getting our house ready and we went on with the same EA as them. We've had an offer and they've accepted ours so fingers crossed it all goes through.

As you're already market ready go for a viewing and see how you dh finds it. Fingers crossed for you.

Wow- that is an amazing story!! I hope it all comes through for you, how exciting! Thanks for giving me a bit of hope :)

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Silkiefloof · 18/10/2023 22:30

I would speak to EA but would put your house on straight away if interested on both sides. I would go and visit first of all. If it's uninhabitable you may need somewhere else to live whilst you renovate so factor that in.

We have a listed thatched cottage and absolutely love it. Hopefully your DH will fall in love on viewing like mine did.

Original poster
HP89 · 18/10/2023 22:33

Silkiefloof · 18/10/2023 22:30

I would speak to EA but would put your house on straight away if interested on both sides. I would go and visit first of all. If it's uninhabitable you may need somewhere else to live whilst you renovate so factor that in.

We have a listed thatched cottage and absolutely love it. Hopefully your DH will fall in love on viewing like mine did.

Yes I absolutely agree! This place has a modern-ish annex so that would be my back up if main house looks worse than the pics!

Oh I would so love a thatched cottage! Beautiful! I hope it still brings the same happiness as when you bought it!

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Celibacyinthesticks · 18/10/2023 22:39

You could put your house ‘quietly’ on the market and not the open market now with the agent to see if anyone bites? Let the agents put the feelers out without all the fanfare of right move/open house etc.

caringcarer · 18/10/2023 23:02

@HPHP89 yes, in one of the villages on the outskirts of Tamworth. I cried when I found out it was sold.

Original poster
HP89 · 18/10/2023 23:09

Celibacyinthesticks · 18/10/2023 22:39

You could put your house ‘quietly’ on the market and not the open market now with the agent to see if anyone bites? Let the agents put the feelers out without all the fanfare of right move/open house etc.

This is an excellent idea, thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
HP89 · 18/10/2023 23:12

caringcarer · 18/10/2023 23:02

@HPHP89 yes, in one of the villages on the outskirts of Tamworth. I cried when I found out it was sold.

@caringcarer I can see why you fell in love with it- what a place!!

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Silkiefloof · 18/10/2023 23:16

Thank you, we love our cottage. The only thing once we both fell so in love all common sense went out the window when buying but adore the house. Hope you get your house. I had always dreamed of a thatched cottage with beautiful garden since a child as my aunt had one and it's magical to have that. But get a full survey and think about area etc.

Geneticsbunny · 19/10/2023 08:39

If you buy it will you have any budget for renovations? If the outbuildings fall down then you can be prosecuted and made to put them back up so make sure you have enough money to stabilise their structure even if it is just temporary stuff like tarpaulins and acro props.

Do you have any DIY skills already or are you willing to learn because it will be really useful to be able to do little bits even if you outsource the bigger jobs.

DisforDarkChocolate · 19/10/2023 08:44

I'd arrange a viewing too. If you feel the marked is ok for your house would your husband consider putting yours on the market if you did all the work? It sounds like you've already done the hard parts of getting ready to sell.

Lindy2 · 19/10/2023 09:06

I'd love to see a photo.

The issue is that old buildings can be absolute money pits. Beautiful but if they need significant repairs they can repeatedly just absorb money.

I do know someone who owned a building like this. Once the basics were done she hired the house out as a film location. It's appeared in several TV programmes and films - it is a massive house. The film money covered the ongoing costs of a new roof, guttering etc which were needed before they failed and caused more damage.

Would there be any option of doing that?

lookslikeitsgoingtosnow · 19/10/2023 09:58

I think if the property is still showing as available through the auctioneers and you made an offer that was accepted it would still be subject to the auction terms & conditions so a 28 day completion. If you need to sell your house the timing is very unlikely to work out unfortunately although you may be able to negotiate a longer completion if the vendor agreed. Chances are the vendor will probably put it through the next auction with a reduced guide price to see if it sells then.