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Megaconfession

 
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thos



Joined: 08 Mar 2005
Posts: 1139
Location: Jauche, Duchy of Brabant (Bourgogne-ci) and Charolles, Duchy of Burgundy (Bourgogne-ça)
PostPosted: Thu Aug 02, 07 1:18 pm    Post subject: Megaconfession Reply with quote
    

I have to admit to behaving in an extremely non-Downsizerish manner.

When we were on our holidays we fell in love with South Burgundy. We casually started looking at properties and got more and more sucked in, with the result that this morning our offer was accepted and we will be buying a four-bedroom farmhouse on 880 m², including a 150-year old pear tree and a large apple tree, with wonderful views of fields with proper hedges and Charolais cattle. There are also loads of blackberries that for some reason do not grow well in Belgium.

The unDownsizerish bit is that this will be our second residence as I cannot give up my job and at six hours it is a bit far to commute. We intend to get some money back from renting it as a gîte to people here, and a bit more if we can find some trusty yokel to look after it.

Unlike most of the properties in our price range it is in reasonable condition and should look much better when the vendor's clutter is removed. The one bad point (which we really played-up, of course) was that the upstairs is in two halves, accessable from two separate staircases. Our intention, in a few years, is to move the partitions to make three bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs, create a corridor and remove one of the staircases.

Exciting and worrying. The doubts will probably start this evening.

Northern_Lad



Joined: 13 Dec 2004
Posts: 14210
Location: Somewhere
PostPosted: Thu Aug 02, 07 1:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I think you pennance should be free lettings to the mod team for the next 10 years...

I know that second homes are a bad thing in the UK as they really drive up prices and locals out, but I haven't a clue what it's like in France. Anyway, if you've driven another French family into dire poverty then they'll probably see it as a good thing: they're only happy when they can moan about things.

tahir



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45389
Location: Essex
PostPosted: Thu Aug 02, 07 1:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Pics?

judith



Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 22789
Location: Montgomeryshire
PostPosted: Thu Aug 02, 07 1:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Northern_Lad wrote:
I think you pennance should be free lettings to the mod team for the next 10 years...


Seconded!

Earth Mutha with attitude



Joined: 22 Mar 2007
Posts: 40
Location: Near Forfar, Angus
PostPosted: Thu Aug 02, 07 1:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Wow! I'm jealous!! shame you can't move it to the UK! We'd look after it for you if you did!

thos



Joined: 08 Mar 2005
Posts: 1139
Location: Jauche, Duchy of Brabant (Bourgogne-ci) and Charolles, Duchy of Burgundy (Bourgogne-ça)
PostPosted: Thu Aug 02, 07 1:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

tahir wrote:
Pics?


https://montceau-immobilier.com/275877/29059753/plus_annonce_full.htm?lang=fr

French Estate Agents seem to be even worse than Belgian for underselling properties. It really is much nicer than it looks on these photographs.

Jb



Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 7761
Location: 91� N
PostPosted: Thu Aug 02, 07 1:45 pm    Post subject: Re: Megaconfession Reply with quote
    

thos wrote:
The unDownsizerish bit is that this will be our second residence as I cannot give up my job and at six hours it is a bit far to commute. ... .


Well you could always get a helicopter then you wouldn't need two properties

Northern_Lad



Joined: 13 Dec 2004
Posts: 14210
Location: Somewhere
PostPosted: Thu Aug 02, 07 1:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Question is, does the EuroStar stop there, and if not, is it better to go to Lyon and back, or stop at Paris and get on a Very Fast Train...

bernie-woman



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 7824
Location: shropshire
PostPosted: Thu Aug 02, 07 2:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

judith wrote:
Northern_Lad wrote:
I think you pennance should be free lettings to the mod team for the next 10 years...


Seconded!


Thirded

I think it looks lovely from the pics - beautiful fireplace

pricey



Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Posts: 6444

PostPosted: Thu Aug 02, 07 4:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

That looks great, you lucky man

Vanessa



Joined: 08 May 2006
Posts: 8324

PostPosted: Fri Aug 03, 07 5:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Lovely-looking place. Be warned, it'll suck you in, steal your heart, and make you want to quit your job early. Voice of experience here

Nick



Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford
PostPosted: Fri Aug 03, 07 6:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

You're evil.

(and I'm jealous).

cinders



Joined: 04 Jun 2007
Posts: 2437
Location: norfolk The daft old bat club
PostPosted: Fri Aug 03, 07 6:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

(and I'm jealous).[/quote]


Me Too

Windymiller



Joined: 02 Apr 2006
Posts: 550
Location: West Wales
PostPosted: Wed Aug 08, 07 11:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

thos wrote:
tahir wrote:
Pics?


https://montceau-immobilier.com/275877/29059753/plus_annonce_full.htm?lang=fr

French Estate Agents seem to be even worse than Belgian for underselling properties. It really is much nicer than it looks on these photographs.


The banner makes me want a houseboat on a French canal.

Blue Sky



Joined: 30 Jan 2005
Posts: 7658
Location: France
PostPosted: Thu Aug 09, 07 12:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

vanessa wrote:
Lovely-looking place. Be warned, it'll suck you in, steal your heart, and make you want to quit your job early. Voice of experience here


Same here

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