Listed cottage with character features

Jun 20 2006

By Marsya Lennox, Birmingham Post

Picture a Cotswold "second home". It will probably be stone-built, in a picturesque village, with rural views - and not that much money compared to a full-time family base, one nearer major commercial centres. Think again. There is no such thing as an average second home. They might cost as little as £200,000, the national average for all homes, or they might be much more, as much as £2 million or so. Strutt & Parker in Moreton in Marsh points out that urban refugees are a force to be reckoned with. Not only do they like weekend retreats, they are planning ahead, seeking out permanent family homes where they will settle one day, though, maybe, not quite yet. It puts a whole new slant on the stereotypical view of the "second home", one that will only ever be used part-time. Some of the big London money is destined to be invested in substantial Cotswold piles, the sort that make a good family base for a growing brood. Simon Merton, of Strutt & Parker, puts paid to the idea that second homes are little cottages where families "camp" for the odd weekend. Well-heeled, potential Cotswold buyers have something big in London, smallish children - but thoughts of something more. "They are scaling down in London. Some might have had a cottage in the country. They ditch the cottage, find a larger place, then eventually sell the big London house." Timing is crucial for the family buyers about to make the change. "The children will be getting to the age when they can go away to school, possibly boarding and having left their day schools in London." The loser may well be the breadwinner, destined to a few more years of commuting from the regions, to allow his family quality of life, fresh air, a better house - and even money in the bank, to pay for some of the school fees. The Cotswold marketplace, therefore, is busy across the price ranges. The incoming big spenders are after anything - and there is no such thing as a "trend". Buyers may be here for something small, as a part-time retreat or investment. They may be coming for good, eventually. It makes for the usual scenario of an active marketplace, and Strutt & Parker is seeing a nice stream of new instructions due to come on stream this month. "There is more confidence, though the market is still price sensitive, " said Mr Merton. Homes that are properly priced will continue to sell, but the hint at upturn, and renewed growth, is the fact that "old chestnuts" are moving. Houses that stuck last year are now finding buyers, willing and able to offer near the asking price, proving the continued demand for finite resources. The second homes debate rages on, however, in political circles. Those lucky enough to indulge in such an extra dimension to their lifestyle will also have recoiled at the recent thinking on the subject. Never mind the obvious and inevitable jealousy of such great good fortune - the chance of two or more homes, placed perfectly in one's chosen locations. The fact is that these additional property holdings are being blamed for the decline of affordable rural housing - and second home owners might have to pay more, in time, trouble and hard cash. One idea is that second home owners should have to apply for planning permission, assuming a "change of use". Other suggestions have been for heavier taxation on such homes, possibly via the council tax system. Strutt & Parker has pointed out that the Affordable Rural Houses Commission is missing a point. Jasper Feilding, of the agency, said: "Owners of second homes are occasionally vilified in the media, but in reality they make a positive impact on rural communities. "In many cases, they buy and restore redundant or unloved properties, using local suppliers and tradesmen. "They also create wealth in the immediate area, bringing new spending to local shops, garages and pubs - spending which is much-needed and very welcome in many country areas." Young people who wanted to get onto the property ladder needed efficient homes which were easy to maintain, and the planning system could help to smooth the way for the provision of such housing. "In the majority of English villages, there are odd corners or unused land, farmers who would welcome the income from selling pockets of land or buildings for which they no longer have any use - and home-owners who would be delighted to sell off over-large gardens," said Mr Fielding. "Allowing, and indeed actively encouraging, a far higher level of affordable housing within our villages and country towns would go a long way to solving the problem. "Attacking second home owners will not solve the problem of country people being priced out of their home areas," Mr Fielding said. The agency makes another interesting point - that the highest percentage of second homes is actually in central London, around three times higher than the rural areas known for their high proportion of such properties, including the South Hams in Devon and parts of the Yorkshire Dales. The policy-makers should also be careful about how they classify a "second home". How long should they remain empty in any given year, and what if it is used for holiday letting or as a UK base for an owner who needs to work away from home for long periods? Strutt & Parker is expecting offers around £635,000 for 4 Twine Cottages at Back Ends, Chipping Campden, a three-bedroom listed cottage, close to the centre of town, complete with thatched roof and walled garden. It would serve a wide range of buyers including a family who wants to be near the centre with its shops and good schooling. The house dates from the 17th century, has many char-acter features including exposed stone and fireplaces. Renovations in recent years have brought new bathrooms, one en suite and a smart kitchen with fitted appliances and good storage. A lvingham House, at Todenham, is a five bedroom house, price guide £625,000. It was built only in 1989, though to a traditional style and secured a good plot, right next to the church in the popular village on the Warwick-shire borders, three miles from Moreton-in-Marsh. On the edge of the Cotswolds at Shipston-on-Stour, in Warwickshire, is West Croft, a fine town house, priced at £825,000. The small town is close to the border with Gloucester-shire and the house in the Conservation Area, dating to the Georgian period with Victorian additions. It has six bedrooms over two upper floors, four of them suites. There are good reception rooms with quality period features and a proper hall with fireplace plus smart breakfast kitchen. Special details include an oak staircase, good fireplaces, oak flooring and attractive gardens plus off street parking. Bank House, at Ascott, in Warwickshire is a seven-bedroom house with three suites, double garage with annexe and three quarters of an acre with stabling, guide price £1.25 million. The house is notable for being only four years old yet designed in convincing period style, mostly stone with brick offshoot and outbuildings. Special details include the big kitchen and seven bedrooms over two upper floors. There are also quality finishes including flagstones, timber floors, big Aga and stone fireplaces. Details from Strutt & Parker, 01608 650502.