life
PROPERTY
How to buy your
country home.
By Sam Biles MRICS FAAV - Creasey Biles & King
Buying a house in the country is
a dream that many people aspire
to, whether it be for the fresh
air, the space, and the views or,
on the Island, the closeness to
unspoiled beaches and excellent
riding and walking. The Island
boasts many attractive rural
and coastal villages each of
which is unique in terms of
location and amenities, however
buying property in the country
is sometimes more complicated
than buying a home in a town,
especially if land and buildings
are concerned.
There are many factors
which should be taken into
consideration when choosing a
property and it may be useful
for a buyer to list them before
deciding on the area in which to
search. These could include size
of accom modation; proximity of
shops, church or schools; garden
land and stables, garaging,
outbuildings, access to bridle
paths or beaches as well as well
as general preferences for period
features and room sizes. We
are often surprised about how
unclear buyers are when looking
at property, though some
really need to see a number of
properties before firming up on
exactly what they want. Others
have one clear desire – perhaps
land or proximity to a particular
school or ferry port – and will
compromise on everything else
to achieve it.
It can be very helpful to
identify which Estate Agents
specialise in the type of property
which you are looking for. This
can be easily done by looking at
their press advertisements and
on the internet, most agents
promote properties on www.
20
rightmove.co.uk but a lot of
country property is also sold on
www.primelocation.com . Try
to build up a rapport with one
or more suitable agents show
them that you are clear in your
ideas and your search criteria.
This will mean you are treated
with respect; as important is
to establish whether the agent
knows what they are talking
about. Do they understand
about Listed Buildings, Tree
Preservation Orders; raising
finance on properties with land,
properties not on the mains
sewer, restrictive covenants,
planning constraints in Areas of
Outstanding Natural Beauty etc.
Some of these factors may have
an impact on your purchase and
it is very useful to be dealing
with an agent who can assist in
solving any problems which arise
as you buy your dream home. Do
not assume that you can simply
double the size of the house you
are buying, nor that you can put
up a stable block in the paddock
close by – the countryside is
closely regulated and it will help
if the selling agents know the
situation and point you in the
right direction.
These days people often
assume that all they need
to do is to register on a few
property websites and details
of their dream property will
simply appear 'out of the ether'.
This may work BUT remember
specialist agents will be keen to
talk to buyers before properties
come to the market – if you are
not registered with them, they
cannot talk to you. Reports of
a property crash have probably
been exaggerated but agents
need to know their buyers more
so now the market has slowed
– just as much as you need to
know them.
Sam Biles is Managing Director
of Creasey Biles and King –
Specialist agents in the sale of
Prestigious, Country and Coastal
property across the Isle of Wight.
Island Life - www.isleofwight.net