Would you buy a 17th century listed property, or am I mad for considering?

youth_leader

My kids had a fantastic childhood in our listed house, and we'd planned to downsize when they left home.  But circumstances change, in my case my husband became ill and couldn't face moving, when he suddenly died I was left alone with a huge project.  I think if you put a realistic time limit on it, you will have a fantastic experience to look back on. 

pbhb

I fell inlove with a 17th century grade II listed property. It stole my heart the moment I walked in, it was BEAUTIFUL and it looked in excellent condition too. My offer was accepted and I was over the moon.
and then I got the survey back, I burst into tears as I read through it, the seemingly great condition of the house was not so good. The characterful wonky wall was wonky because it was falling outwards, it needed knocking down and replacing, the beautiful timber beams were rotten (wet and dry rot) and had a woodworm infestation, the creaky floorboards were full of fire hazardous material and needed removing immediately. The surveyor told me an estimate to get it fixed would be tens of thousands, but she said once the work commenced it’s likely the bill could run even up to 2
£100k as more problems would be found during the work.
She said if I had the money then fine, but if not, run away. Sadly I walked away, I was heartbroken. But I have found a charming 19th century cottage that is less wonky but still beautiful, it’s grade II listed but has been fully renovated and extended.
My advice is to get the survey done and don’t get excited until you get the all clear by the surveyor. Remember in these old houses you need a lot of money for maintenance, many don’t even have foundations and the walls are paper thin, they get very cold in winter.
I wouldn’t listen to anyone that warned me... until I got the survey back 

coachman12

jacs645 said:

I've just had an offer accepted on a Grade II listed property built in 17th century which is timer-framed. The property looks to be in good order, and obviously I'm having a full structural survey by a surveyor who is experience in listed buildings but I'm nervous.  I don't know much about property maintenance and don't have the skills myself (bar very basic ones) 
Am I mad to consider such a purchase?
Have you previously purchased a listed property? What was your experience?
Thanks

Send us a link to the details of the property itself, or Estate Agents details, or give us the address.
Then, assuming we look at a 1600s house, I'm sure you'll get plenty of advice. Where is the house?What is the price ? Who are the Estate Agents ? Send links to photos.  Give us some details. Is it Jacobean, Carolean, Restoration ? 
Let's here from you and know all the details of this supposed 17th century house. BTW, I believe there are no 1600s houses  listed as Grade II , as you say . They are all Grade II* or more usually Grade I.   TY.

grumiofoundation

coachman12 said:

jacs645 said:

I've just had an offer accepted on a Grade II listed property built in 17th century which is timer-framed. The property looks to be in good order, and obviously I'm having a full structural survey by a surveyor who is experience in listed buildings but I'm nervous.  I don't know much about property maintenance and don't have the skills myself (bar very basic ones) 
Am I mad to consider such a purchase?
Have you previously purchased a listed property? What was your experience?
Thanks

Send us a link to the details of the property itself, or Estate Agents details, or give us the address.
Then, assuming we look at a 1600s house, I'm sure you'll get plenty of advice. Where is the house?What is the price ? Who are the Estate Agents ? Send links to photos.  Give us some details. Is it Jacobean, Carolean, Restoration ? 
Let's here from you and know all the details of this supposed 17th century house. BTW, I believe there are no 1600s houses  listed as Grade II , as you say . They are all Grade II* or more usually Grade I.   TY.

https://www.allcottassociates.co.uk/blog/is-my-property-a-listed-building/
https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/hpg/has/listed-buildings/ (links on same website detailing hoops to be jumped through for altering/owning listed building).

Vast majority of listed buildings are grade II (90%+). 34% (19% from 17th century) are build before 1700 so your belief is incorrect (from link 1 above). 

Also if you search Grade II listed property 17th century for sale a lot of results come up... 

FreeBear

Pop over to the Period Property Forum - You'll find a wealth of knowledge over there along with first hand experience of listed properties.

Nebulous2

I’ve got an 18th century Georgian townhouse. In a town full of listed buildings, many of them sadly in need of repair. None of the inside is original. My main house is a modern semi, we were looking for a bungalow as a second home, with the plan to move to it at retirement. We went to see this house because it was cheap and ended up falling for it. 

It was refurbished in the 1980s by the guy who owned it before us and is in need of it again. If you buy a house like this which has been looked after, in a desirable town you can afford to pay craftsmen to use lime mortar and original materials. If you buy one here you find yourself in a running battle with the council enforcement department, aided and abetted by tradesmen who can patch things up and know what they can get away with. The economics make no sense. You can buy a house for £100k spend £100k on it and it might be worth £130k. 

Despite all of that I really like it. The area has some extended family, weekends are tranquil, there are some nice pubs, good cycling and I feel more relaxed there than I ever do at home. That maybe about the associated things and the lack of work, rather than the house but it all comes together to make a pleasant package.