The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: Roxy on March 01, 2010, 10:31:38 pm
-
For weeks now I have been scanning websites looking at smallholdings. Due to a family split (basically my brothers want to sell the farm which I own jointly with them) we need to buy somewhere else. No chance of buying them out, due to the ridiculously high valuation, on what is quite frankly a dilapidated farmhouse.
I would like to buy without having to have a millstone round my neck mortgage. Obviously until the farm is auctioned, I do not know how much it will make, but with the money from my other house sale, I should have a decent amount towards somewhere else.
The big question is where? If I am honest, I favour either Cumbria or Scotland. The main reason being most of our summers are spent driving North to various horse shows, and agricultural events where we also show the ponies, and do carriage driving events. I have considered Wales, which is nice, but too far away from the shows. Its not the end of the world if we gave up the showing, if the right property came along in Wales though!!
So, any suggestions of where to look for a property? Furthest North I have been is Ben Nevis, as my OH did the annual fell race there for years, until his dodgy knees stopped him. We are used to snow, rain, and driving winds, and prefer to be among hills, which is what we are used to, but some flat land, to ride on, and have a veg plot would be ideal. Oh, and I quite like the idea of being near forests to ride in? Need somewhere with about 15-20 acres for all the livestock, and a good range of outbuildings to put them all in. Not worried about being isolated, that suits me fine - further away from neighbours the better, with all our dogs (and cockerels!) Although I would like to continue my egg sales, which is something I am loathe to leave behind here, as I have been doing very well - so I suppose I need to be near some sort of civilisation for that don't I!!!
-
Best thing is use the estate agents websites as a start, or the Solicitors property centres ESPC.co.uk is the Edinburgh one - they usually have a link to a google map and from there or the post code you can change to satellite view and have a look at the terrain. In fact you could look at Flash Earth, just search for say, Stirling, or any other big city, and have a look around, using the list with labels.
-
Thats a good idea, Annie! I will do that.
Buying a house in Scotland is different to what we are used to. I think you register an interest, and then there are closing dates etc. and don't you have to offer a good bit above the asking price too? Although I have seen some fixed prices .......I know when my friend was looking to move out of Edingburgh, she kept missing out on farms. In the end she viewed one, and put a decent offer in there and then, and got it.
The other problem is getting up to view properties. Really only one of us could go due to all the animals at this end .......suppose I could send OH up for a few days.......probably better, as he could look at the building work needed etc.
-
Perhaps it would be possible to employ a pet sitter for a few days, not that husband's arent great at finding houses, they just seem to overlook the really necessary things like a good kitchen.
-
I think I'd do that no way I'd trust my OH with finding suitable houses
-
Any of the "rural" agents - Galbraiths, Savills have properties in Scotland. I get Scottish Field and Scottish Farmer monthly and wekly respectively, an stck up any likely properties on here.
There was a lovely one for sale near Dumfries way called Butterhole Farm. It was on Galbraiths I think but try googling it.
At the moment, it's still a buyers market in Scotland. If you're not in a chain and have cash in the bank, life's a lot easier. Traditionally we've had "offers over" but now there's a lot of "offers around".
I think Scotland has a lot going for it - IMHO our parliament is better than Westminster (I know that's not much of a recommendation), our local government is simpler, our school system is simpler (I'm not necessarily saying better but far less crap about entry to secondary school). Great climate (sunny today and I have a short memory), lovely people....
-
Agree with Rosemary on all of that, including the lovely people as we are two of them ;D ;D, but look at Fixed prices too - I got mine on a fixed price as they were desperate to move. No hassle at all - first person to offer that price could get it.
-
hey up you two I strongly object to the nastursiums cast upon us chaps I know of lasses that cannot boil shavin watter wi out bonin it so there Never mind choose a house. ??? :o ;D ;D :farmer:
-
The trouble is, we all like where we live, so we're always going to recommend where we live! What I would say Roxy, and I know you have noticed this already, prices are cheaper the farther north you go. If you can do your jobs from anywhere, I would encourage you to visit someplace you already know and like and look around there. Though I'm sure we'll all help by posting properties on here for you!
Beth
-
And as I suggested to Jackie, order some local newspapers, to give you an insight on the area, and houses for sale too.
-
Good idea Annie. Rural Scene is good for comparing rural property prices across the whole country- http://www.ruralscene.co.uk/look/frame.asp (http://www.ruralscene.co.uk/look/frame.asp)
ANd just to evidence the fact that the farther north you go, the cheaper it is, look at this place, thats an incredible price compared even to here in the central belt. http://www.ruralscene.co.uk/details/3167_EO279C.pdf (http://www.ruralscene.co.uk/details/3167_EO279C.pdf)
I was talking about houses on the SGF forum, and a guy up north posted up these two as well. http://pod-103.dolphin-server.co.uk/ckdrpsdets/INV070261.PDF (http://pod-103.dolphin-server.co.uk/ckdrpsdets/INV070261.PDF) http://www.hspc.co.uk/2007/details.asp?id=30991 (http://www.hspc.co.uk/2007/details.asp?id=30991)
I love looking at houses Roxy, so anything good I spot I'll post up. I have been looking at this one myself, but I have no real justification in moving! http://www.mccrae-and-mccrae.co.uk/view_property.php?id=93&page=2&price_from=&price_to=&type=Property%20for%20Sale (http://www.mccrae-and-mccrae.co.uk/view_property.php?id=93&page=2&price_from=&price_to=&type=Property%20for%20Sale)
-
Thanks for those links to houses ballingirl, and everyone else for their good ideas. Its quite amazing that you can get the farm with flat land, although hills in the background .....here we are on hills full stop!! Even our hay fields are on quite a hillside. Moneywise, you get so much more than here. The one in Caithness with all the barns would be great for my livestock.
Its a long journey for us with the livestock though. It takes us around three and a half hours to our family up in Glasgow - suppose we could break the journey there before heading North (I mean going to view, not with all the livestock on board - cannot see that going down well!)
As I said , I need to sell the farm first, so we are not in a chain. Could keep my own land up the lane, and squash all the animals there for a couple of weeks. Being chain free, and having the cash would be more tempting to sellers.
-
OOH Im really tempted by the farm called Bogbain at Tain. Love the farm hate the name.
http://pod-103.dolphin-server.co.uk/ckdrpsdets/INV070261.PDF
-
Anyone can change a name - when I built my last house I named it fro my late husband - Tigh na Iain (John's home) - Mike and Phillipa who bought it changed it to Beltane, a new beginning for them, and she couldn't pronounce 'tee na yaeean' ;D ;D ;D All you need to do is get a form from the Post Office to register the change. I'm thinking of doing that as everyman and his dog has called their house Ochil something!!!! ::) ::) ::)
-
I didn't understand the schedule - says it's in two lots, 3 plus acres with the house and .92 with the steading but in total 24 plus acres and no mention of a third lot - weird. They are obviously trying to maximise the price.(I couldn't find that either) ??? ??? ??? ??? But I noticed thsi one too - stunning house front elevation!
-
That looks lovely but how much? Doesn't say so far as I can see
-
You have to submit an offer. But there was not even a guide price, so how do you know what sort of price to offer!!!
I have just had a look how far Caithness is from here - 480 miles and 9 hours driving!!! The only good thing is there is an airport at Wick. We are not far from Manchester airport, so could get to Glasgow or Edinburgh airport and then on to Wick, if we wanted to go and look. To be honest, its a bit far to transport our animals. Not bad if you just have a dog and cat or something of course.
-
On Galbraith's website the price is generally on the page before the pdf schedule- It's on at offers over £390k.
However, they have some GORGEOUS properties on their books just now.
This one http://www.ckdgalbraith.co.uk/property/CAD100042/Dumfries (http://www.ckdgalbraith.co.uk/property/CAD100042/Dumfries) is offers over £480 for Lot 1, which includes a house, cottage and 23 acres grazing with plenty of outbuildings- oh and a ruined folly! Its lovely.
I remember someone on here mentioning this one http://www.ckdgalbraith.co.uk/property/GLA090081/New%20Trows%20Road (http://www.ckdgalbraith.co.uk/property/GLA090081/New%20Trows%20Road) which is a bit run down, but far more affordable.
And here's Butterhole- I think someone mentioned this house as well http://www.ckdgalbraith.co.uk/property/CAD080004/Dalbeattie (http://www.ckdgalbraith.co.uk/property/CAD080004/Dalbeattie)
I really have only looked in your bracket of about 20 acres Roxy, there are some lovely properties with 6-15 acres as well on Galbraith's.
Also saw this, which is completely out of everyone's price bracket, unless we have any lottery winners here! But it has to be one of the nicest properties I have seen, and in a beautiful location. Offers over £975k for all three lots, or for just the house (lot 1) and the steadings plus 23 acres (lot 2) is just a cool £900k. http://www.ckdgalbraith.co.uk/property/CUP090024/By%20Burntisland (http://www.ckdgalbraith.co.uk/property/CUP090024/By%20Burntisland)
-
Ohhh lovely I'll have 2 ;D
-
Can I have lot one in first one down Helen ooohhhhOOOOHHHH ah could goo mad wi me ride on mower ;D ;D :farmer:
-
Of course George no problem plenty for all of us, now where is that euro millions lottery ticket :)
-
Don't do that one Helen but religiously (Can I use that word because I'm a none believer)do the birthdays on Lotto We should be able to scrape by with a roll over shunt us?
-
Indeed George give me a nod when you win and I'll do the same ;)
-
Kath nor I imbibe Helen but us pals could have one almighty blowout at the most respected eatery in town I'm not into Michelin 5 star and I don't eat the silver knife and fork.Good food on clean plates hot and served with a smile.and would you like some more of that. I reckon if we could talk him into it Nigel Slater would do me proud do you watch him.There are so many I know Rick Stein if he sharpens the knife and forgets fish for that night.Its a long way from Annie's to Padstow though intit Annie ;D ;D :farmer:
-
Sure is -I think ??? ???................. um, where's Padstow? ................................................. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ....................... ;)
-
Oh heck Annie Its where Rick Stein has his restaurants in Cornwall Is she having a quiet go at the Wizard I wonder
-
Cornwall? Is that in America? ;)
-
Yes Annie. Vermont in New England U.S.Thats this side but across the pond from you
-
All the way to Padstow, and not eat fish?? Are you mad? ;D What about Gordon Ramsey or Heston Bloomin Thal?
-
Yes to the first bit but not the insane sort.Quite like GR cooking and being at home Jamie is also good at home but I'm with Nigel Slater just now doing his Butternut squash for tea but apricots not sultana's No Heston is one of the others I think ;D :farmer:
-
I managed to grow quite a bit of butternut squashes last year, so am doing it again this year. I like them roasted though!
-
Sage go to BBC dig it and click Nigel's picture the recipe comes on in that page It is a cut in half stuffed and roast recipe Tell you tomorrow if its any good ;D :farmer:
-
we had a gest house in Paton on the sea front ...we moved to glenmore 7 miles from aviemore iffy you wont a good place to live market shows etc then Unfreeze and Galway no problem with ENE think iv lived dartmore North york tenbey cumbers prices are good and evey bodey is in to small holding
-
Hey up agen Gary. Are you out in competition wi me? Cos I couldn't mek good wool or arselocks on the last message ;D
-
;D ;D ;D ;D
-
SssHhhhhsh Sage its in code
-
Nice property here- bit expensive maybe guide price of £620000.
http://www.ruralscene.co.uk/details/3637_JB930D.pdf (http://www.ruralscene.co.uk/details/3637_JB930D.pdf)
-
Oooh, that is nice, but yes, rather a lot of money. And a shame to spoil the place with my unruly animals!! That farm is no more than 30 miles from us, so not far to move all the animals.
I have had my eye on a nice hill farm in Wales - but it has a bridleway and footpath right up the farm track. Does not say whether it goes through the farm itself or not. Now I like bridleways to ride on, and quite often they do go through farmyards, but, not sure if I want one on my own doorstep. But maybe it would be ok, could sell my eggs to passers by.
I really do have to find somewhere, the more remote the better, due to barking dogs and crowing cockerels etc. etc I am worried the farm will sell, and we will be stuck with nowhere to go. Fine if its just us two, we could rent a cottage no bother, but not many cottages will want our menagerie as well.