The UK is blessed with such a variety of property for sale that home buyers are given an unrivalled choice. In some areas of the country there is an abundance of listed property that carries with it unbelievable charm and stunning features. But is it better to buy old or new? Is a listed property a waste of money or is a decent long term investment? It is hope the following article will be able to provide the answers to these questions.
Listed property for sale first came into existence in 1947 after a political response to the damage caused to thousands of old buildings during the Second World War. Today it is the responsibility of the Secretary of Culture, Media and Sport to compile the list of over half a million listed buildings in the UK. Listed property for sale however has some limitations, meaning that buying such property should only be undertaken after careful consideration. Fundamentally it is illegal to change the character of a listed property without the obtaining of consent from the relevant local authority.
Listed property for sale is divided into three distinct categories numbered I, II and III in England and Wales and labelled A, B, C in Scotland and Ireland. A Grade I listed building is regarded as a site of exceptional historical interest, such as a property that has seen a pivotal moment in history. A Grade II listed building is defined as being a particularly important property that has a special historical interest and the final Grade, III is defined as a site of special interest. The past residents, the events that have taken place in the building and its location all combine when assessing its historical worth.
Listed property for sale varies immensely in time period as well as style. A listed building can be a timber framed Tudor mansion or an art deco white house; it could even be a Victorian terraced house with a particularly famous past resident. Ultimately it is the responsibility of those putting the property up for sale to inform buyers that purchasing such a property means a unique set of responsibilities for that building. Naturally special insurance policies and an understanding of the historical significance of the site are essential for any potential buyer.
In terms of pros and cons of buying a listed property there are many. Positively, buying a listed building means that the home will often be unique, with a truly individual character; the home may even be form part of the architectural and national identity. Ultimately when looking at this type of property for sale, a purchase means that you are making a commitment to contribute to preserving the history of the nation. Added benefits can be rooms with large amounts of space as well as build quality and craftsmanship that is simply not present in the modern construction industry.
It is not all good however; older buildings have been exposed to the elements for centuries and hence can carry some problems. Replacing the original materials can be expensive as the building methods are no longer used. As well as this foundations and sewers may not be adequate for modern usage and hence an expensive refit can be one of the only solutions. The one big problem is that these houses are rarely ideal for the modern lifestyle, trying to bring the property into the modern age can not only be expensive but can also require a lengthy and time consuming planning phase.
Hopefully this article has made it clear that listed property for sale in the UK is a valid investment if you are willing to put up with the foibles of a particular building. For those who want clean, modern living listed buildings may not be the way to go. For those with a penchant for history and a respect for past times listed buildings offer charm and character that is impossible to find elsewhere.
Real estate expert Thomas Pretty studies the benefits and downsides to listed property for sale and why the right estate agent can help whenever investing in residencies.
[tags]property for sale, buying property, property buying advice, property investment advice[/tags]
|
|