Rural Property For Sale
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Living an idyllic life in the countryside has a natural attraction for many of us and these days more and more people are searching for rural property for sale to make their countryside dreams come true.
Everything from agricultural bars to water mills are being bought by an ever-increasing number of us who want to escape the stress and congestion of city life and exchange it for a more peaceful life in the country.
However it is well worth pausing for a moment before buying the first rural property that you see. Owning a house in the country is wonderful but there are some issues you should consider before investing in your dream home.
How to find Rural Property for sale?
If you are a city dweller it is very easy to dream about having a beautiful home in the country, far away from the mayhem of living in highly populated areas. We often think about owning a beautiful rural property and waking up in the morning, wandering into the garden with a cup of tea and admiring the surrounding countryside.
This is often the case for those of us who do actually own a house in the country but some are disappointed with what the originally imagined would be an idyllic life. Why is this? It is often because they never put enough consideration into some vital factors before buying their country house or perhaps rushed into a purchase when a rural property for sale came on the property market.
| Property Location | Rural Property Type (Detached, Outbuildings, with land, etc) | No. of Beds | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northamptonshire | Rural 5 bed house needing work | 5 | £87k |
| Scarborough | 3 bed detached rural location | 3 | £65k |
| Bodmin | Devon property with large plot of land | 4 | £100k |
| Ipswich | 4 bed rural location outside Ipswich | 3 | £97k |
Rural Property – Living In The Countryside
People who live in the cities often get frustrated with the busy life and as mentioned before often dream about selling their house and buying another house in the country.
This is perfectly fine as long as you take some vital points into consideration. For example, have you lived in the countryside before and if not, would you be prepared to do so? How about being further away from shops and schools, having less people around, waiting longer for tradesmen such as plumbers and carpenters, having to buy more groceries in advance, the need for transport? These are all factors that should be carefully considered before investing in a country home.
Buying a rural property for sale can be a wonderful experience but is often let down by a lack of thought when it actually comes to living in the country.
Buying the perfect renovation property
Sometimes people are blinded by what can seem an incredibly good deal on the housing market with no afterthought to the realities of living in the place where the property is located. For example, let’s assume you see the perfect rural property for sale such as a derelict property, renovation property, windmill for sale, barn for sale, etc.
You purchase the property and turn it into your home. How well do you blend in to the community? Do you get on well with the local people? It sounds like a silly question, but it’s very real.
A recent case I know of personally involved a woman from London who bought a rural property in the highlands of Scotland. After spending a lot of money renovating the property it was beautiful and belonged in a picture book. An old water mill surrounded by mountains and just one mile from a small village.
Unfortunately this woman did not just move her belongings into her new property, she also moved her London attitude. After two years she sold her country property and moved back to the city. It wasn’t the locals who were in the wrong, it was her.
When in Rome as they say, always respect the local people.
Different types of Rural Properties
Take as much time as you can before you consider buying your country renovation project. It may not even be a house. Maybe you plan to buy and renovate a derelict property such as an old water mill. You could also opt to buy quite an old windmill for sale. Maybe even an old barn for sale.
It’s a lot of work and every step has to be planned, right down to the building contractors, and tradesman. Investigate the area thoroughly and decide if this part of the countryside is really where you wish to live.
Just because you see the perfect rural property on the market it doesn’t mean it would be a perfect area for you to live. Buying a house in the country means moving your life there too.
Rural Property Renovation
Take care when you look for a rural property to renovate, it can be time-consuming and very expensive. Don’t be a daydreamer when you see something like a windmill for sale, try to plan things property and objectively. Renovating a property can be a minefield, and it’s very easy to run over budget. In fact, this should almost be expected.
Consider the following: What is the worst case scenario if a derelict property renovation project wiped you out financially?
If it’s going to take every last penny you have to renovate a derelict property, then you should think twice. You must allow a safety fund or contingency fund to cover extra expenses with materials, tradesmen, labour and professional fees.
A Word About Rural Living
Buying rural property can bring rewards that living in a town or city cannot provide.
When you visit a rural property for sale, stop for a moment and take a good look at the area. Talk to some locals and find out the ups and downs of living in that part of the countryside.
Be prepared to become part of the community. Go to the local pub for a drink and get to know some people. Building relationships with locals can prove beneficial, especially when getting to know: tradesmen, planning officers, local council officials, etc.
You may even be made aware of other empty properties that may not be on the market.
If you wish to purchase a rural property simply to commute but isolate yourself from the local community, think again.