Period
properties are beautiful, with bundles of character, charm and elegance, these
homes offer a window into a previous century and the way of living that
dominated this time. Whether you fancy yourself a beautiful Georgian home or a
delightful period cottage, there’s no denying that period properties are
attractive to all types of buyers - families, young couples and retiring
partners to name a few.
If you’re in
love with high ceilings, stunning fireplaces or exposed beams, then a period
property could be the perfect investment for you. But, there’s a lot more to
consider other than the physical features, in fact, if you’ve never purchased a
period property before then you may be unaware of everything you need to know.
The debate between modern homes and period properties is ongoing, on the one
hand you may be looking for a home that has crisp, modern fixtures but on the
other, period properties embody British architecture at it’s finest - and it
all comes down to personal preference, budget and your long term plan.
So, what do
you need to think about if buying a period property is top of your list? For
all you need to know, this blog will provide a detailed guide on buying period
property and so you don’t get caught on! Read on to find out more.
What should you think about when buying a
period property?
Quite
simply, a period property is a building that was built within a specific time
period before World War 1 - such as Victorian, Georgia and Tudor. Despite how
much time has passed, period properties are still as popular as ever, with
Halifax revealing that homes built before 1919 have increased in value by
461 percent
-
equivalent to £516 a month. Of course, the aesthetic of these properties is a
major selling point for buyers, but many people also see them as ‘solid homes’
that were built to a higher quality than modern homes.
Despite
their many benefits, when buying a period property there are a lot of things to
consider. Here we explain some of the most important factors that are
associated with these types of homes.
Getting a structural survey
A structural
survey, as the name suggests, is an inspection of the structural condition of a
property. Unlike a Homebuyers Report, a Full Structural Survey looks in much
more detail at those hard to reach places, outlining any defects in the
property, their cause and the urgency of repairs. Here at Simon Levy, our surveys
include:
●An assessment of the site in its
entirety including boundaries, driveways, gardens and any likely unusual
conditions which may adversely affect the property.
●Examination of the local Geological
Survey Map and implications of findings.
●A photographic record of the
property, illustrating the main rooms and any special features, characteristics
or defects where possible.
●A detailed assessment of the
accessible main walls.
●An assessment of external plumbing,
including gutters, downpipes, soil pipes etc.
●A detailed assessment of accessible
chimney stacks and parapets.
●An assessment of external window and
door components relevant to the property.
●An assessment of external
landscaping, including trees, hedges etc. and their associated risks.
●An in-depth assessment of accessible
roof void and loft areas, including roof support timbers and other relevant
structures.
Getting a structural survey
done can prevent you from running
into big or complicated problems further down the line. Always go with a
trusted and professional team of surveyors, and the structural survey cost will
be money well spent.
How to restore period features
When it
comes to period properties, period features are the focal point of the home.
Much of the value and attraction of these buildings lie within the features,
and failing to restore and renovate these areas properly is one of the classic
pitfalls of purchasing a period home. It’s important to get expert advice when
it comes to these changes, as hiring inexperienced workmen, using the wrong
materials or over modernising the home could have disastrous results.
It’s also
important to remember that you may not reach perfection. The trick is to
redefine the property, and not change features without good reason. Often,
slight imperfections actually add charm to period properties, and altering the
building too much could ruin it’s natural, historic beauty.
Additional costs compared to modern homes
Have you
come up with a realistic budget for the work you’d like to have done? Having a
structural survey is a good place to start for calculating a realistic budget
for repairs, and unexpected costs that could crop up during the process. The
nature of old buildings means that getting the right materials and finding
people with the right experience can be pricey. If you’ve never purchased a
period property before, then it can be easy to assume that all repairs will be
similar to those in modern homes - this is not the case. Be sensible and go to
the experts before making any big decisions that could backfire.
Period
properties can also be more prone to damp, woodworm and other similar problems.
Most of the time, these issues can be resolved with the right kind or work,
however, if this is ot spotted before you purchase the property you could be in
for an unexpected bill.
Interior design options
How do you
plan on decorating your new home? Do you want to mix modern with traditional?
Or, do you want to stay true to the building’s history and go for a more
traditional look? Think carefully about your interior choices, as rushing this
decision could result in a poorly executed look. When decorating each room,
think about the focal point within the space and work around it. If you have
beautiful exposed walls - make the most of them. If you have a stunning
fireplace then why not update it with some stunning, new tiles?
Pinterest
is a great site for getting interior
inspiration, simply search the idea you’re looking for and the website will
bring up inspiration photos that you can save. Antique furniture, classic
prints such as William Morris and the right kind of lighting can revive period
properties and maximise space, putting your own stamp on the property while
showing off it’s period features.
What are the benefits of buying a period home?
There are
many reasons why you may be considering a period property, especially if it’s
your first home. Below we explain some of the most common reasons:
● Location -
older
homes usually find themselves in rural locations, countryside town or quaint
areas on the outskirts of the city. There's something special about being in a
period property, surrounded by beautiful land. If you’re looking for a home
that’s more private, with countryside living, then it could be the right
investment for you.
● Space
- with
many period properties, you can gain maximum space at an affordable cost
compared to modern homes. With large gardens, bigger rooms and other additional
extras such as a library or basement, this is a major benefit of buying an
older home.
Simon Levy: Offering planning permission advice
and reliable dilapidation survey
Here at Simon Levy
, we work throughout Hertfordshire, Greater London, Essex,
Middlesex and other nearby locations, offering professional surveys for
domestic and commercial properties. Whether you need a structural engineer
survey, help with boundary disputes or dilapidation advice, our expert land
surveys are on hand to get the job done. We understand that purchasing a period
property is exciting, but it’s important that you have the relevant checks
complete. For more information, get in touch
today.
