How much for that house?

[Bayliss]

We have lived in our little timber frame cottage for an little over seven years now and we are halfway to concluding required works to the cottage. All the usual things like bathroom, kitchen, re-thatch,chimney lining, exterior paint. And of course still lots to do like replace floor, heating boiler, window frame repairs and all the rest of it. Decided to scan around at other period property for sale in our area (East Anglia) and am shocked at the prices timber framed period property is selling for. It seems that an detached 3 bedder starts at around 300k :shock: A few smaller cottages at 240k + . So is living in an old house now something of an fashion thing as modern houses seem so much less expensive?

 

[Penners]

I don't think this is a new phenomenon. "Character" properties have always (in my experience) tended to sell at premium prices.

Why? Well, my view is that, despite the problems that period properties can bring, people are just instinctively drawn to the idea of living in a building that has housed generations of folk before them. And, of course, the great majority of people love the idea of owning a house that is completely individual.

We East Anglians are fortunate in having a particularly high population of such houses.

 

[Bayliss]

I entirely agree Penners, but its not always been the way, remember the 1950's wholesale demolition of these wonderful buildings considered to be uninhabitable, shame upon them.

 

[Schoolmarm]

remember the 1950's wholesale demolition of these wonderful buildings considered to be uninhabitable, shame upon them.

This is currently taking place in Liverpool and Darwen so nothing changes. It has a new name though, Pathfinder. Terrible.

 

[essexbearhunter]

It has a new name though, Pathfinder.

Nothing new about that name...the Pathfinder Squadrons where the markers for Bomber Command in WW2. Same destruction, different country. :shock: and not even an air raid siren sounded!

 

[Schoolmarm]

lol!

 

[yamin]

Its the chocolate box appeal isn't it? (Going back to your original question) - there are some people that would never consider a period property and adore the modern, but most people I meet do love the idea, at least, of living in a cottage, all beams, thatched roof and roses round the door. And lets face it, when you have houses being built that are not expected to be standing in 100 years time, its not surprising that those that have survived over 2, 3, 4+ centuries are more prized and valuable. As you say Schoolmarm, its not the same everywhere of course.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Norfolk, plus period timber framed properties=EXPENSIVE, especially North Norfolk.

 

[robgil]

we got ours for a steal , well , a steal if you dont mind working on it day and night for the rest of your life.
i see a lot of old timber framed houses for sale at high prices but they usually take a very long time to sell. a Barrett shoe box in town for instance would sell rather quickly in comparison.

 

[Moo]

a Barrett shoe box in town for instance would sell rather quickly in comparison.

One reason being that estate agents can put such a precise value on it. With old 'one-offs' it's so often a matter of guess-work, so they tend to err on the high side (to get the business) and then wait to see how the market reacts.