Help with finding a property

[robson2205]

Hi all
I am looking to buy a small 1 or 2 bedroom timber framed house, pre 1650 with a tiled roof. I’ve been looking for what seems like a million years now and just wondered if anyone could point me in a positive direction.

I can relocate if necessary and thought someone might know of something for sale in their village or locality. There is no chain involved or anything to sell.

Any leads to specialist estate agents or websites would be helpful too!

Thank you
Robson

 

[skier-hughes]

If you join SPAB, a well worthwhile organisation for more help when you have bought, they'll supply you witha booklet of houses for sale. Varying prices!!!!

http://www.spab.org.uk

 

[Nemesis]

The SAVE Buildings at Risk Register too... if you want a challenge!

English Heritage also publishes a BaRR.

Any particular area?

 

[Me!]

I can only assume you have more stringent criteria than the ones you have given? There are plenty around, this is from the first search I did - http://www.fastcropit.com/twgr/html/salestemplates/details.cfm?id=TWsa999001600

 

[robson2205]

Thanks for those suggestions, they could be just what I'm looking for!
I am 'open minded' as to the area, although I am perhaps thinking in terms of a semi rural location ie. village, town. Obvious ones are Lavenham, Midhurst, Thaxted etc or outlying areas.
Thanks for your help (I've just joined the SPAB!)

 

[Nemesis]

Good!

 

[Me!]

Hmmm, Thaxted - too many planes. Lavenham, you'll need a mortgage that reads like my phone number!

 

[robson2205]

Thank you me! for your response! I think that yes perhaps I was a little non-descript of my requirements in my first post. What I am looking for is something that does show external exposed beams and is an obvious visual reference to being a timber-framed builidng.

 

[Nemesis]

Other places in the country have them too...

Hereford/Worcs way for example...

http://www.smr.herefordshire.gov.uk/db.php?smr_no=3811


http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?pid=1&id=152966

Large as well as small...

http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/search/details.aspx?pid=1&id=151440

 

[robson2205]

Yes I realise that ...but thats the kind of information I need, so thank you again. Are there any place names in particular that might be useful?
I have done my research to some extent but I obviously can't be in touch with every estate agent in the land.

 

[Nemesis]

I suggest that you contact the Conservation Officer in any particular area, who may be able to point you in the direction of agents specialising in period buildings.

There's aslo Pavilions of Splendour, and of course homes for sale on PPUK?

Glos - Tewkesbury...

Many, many areas ... Essex, Beds, midlands...

 

[Nemesis]

http://www.heritage.co.uk/

 

[elm]

Weobley, in Herefordshire (I think) is packed to the outskirts with timber framed buildings - a Google image search will give you an idea. Lots of black and white, but the one I really liked was this:


[Open Image] [Hosted by PhotoGalaxy.com]

 

[robson2205]

Wow! That is something of outstanding quality. Thank you for that, I'll have a search...

 

[NT]

Must have used a whole lot of pigs blood.

NT

 

[Penners]

Must have used a whole lot of pigs blood.

Plebs! Gentry use oxblood.

 

[Penners]

What I am looking for is something that does show external exposed beams

Why?

Many of the timberframe buildings that today show externally exposed beams (for reasons of fashion) were never designed to be like this, when they were built. So unless the timbers have been conscientiously limewashed and maintained over the centuries, they may be considerably deteriorated. Oak is excellent at resisting the weather, but it's not immortal.

You may also find that the constant movement of the timber caused by alternating wet and dry weather will regularly open up gaps between the timbers and the external infill. At best this can cause draughts; at worst it can allow rain in.

Do you want to see beams internally, too? If so, you may find that the cavity between the internal and the external infill is quite narrow, meaning that the building will have precious little space for a good layer of insulation.

It's your choice, of course, but if you're prepared to be more flexible about the type of timberframe building you want, you could (a) save yourself some problems, and (b) widen your pool of possible purchases.