[Roxy]

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!!!

[doganjo]

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.

[Roxy]

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.

[Hilarysmum]

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.

[Helencus]

I think I'd do that no way I'd trust my OH with finding suitable houses 

[Rosemary]

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....

[doganjo]

Agree with Rosemary on all of that, including the lovely people as we are two of them , 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.

[Wizard]

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.

[ballingall]

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

[doganjo]

And as I suggested to Jackie, order some local newspapers, to give you an insight on the area, and houses for sale too.

[ballingall]

Good idea Annie. Rural Scene is good for comparing rural property prices across the whole country- 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

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://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

[Roxy]

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. 

[Jackie]

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

[doganjo]

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'   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!!!!

[doganjo]

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!