Self-sufficiency in Style - Don't Complicate Things!

Self-Sufficiency in Style

Buying your smallholding - Part one

Don't complicate things!

Keep it simple, stupid!

This article could be titled: Don't lose control.

Whether you are buyer or seller, there are some seemingly reasonable things, that can cause you a disaster.

Most potential buyers don't want exactly 5 acres, they might like 3 or maybe 30 and toy with the idea of selling part as a building plot or buying the extra acres from the obliging and interested landowner next door.

Other potential buyers will want an extra bedroom or a granny annex or maybe another garage. They will seek to obtain any necessary permissions from the appropriate authorities.

Don't do it, don't even think about it.
Seeking permissions prior to purchase is a mug's game.

Of course, I can sell you some land.

Either buy first and take your chance that you can obtain any necessary permissions or do a deal for more land later, or forget the purchase.

The writer would never get involved in a sale conditional on permissions and goodwill from third parties.

Sales conditional on third parties' decisions will fall through.

Let's take the possibility of making changes to the buildings or adding additional buildings.

Most such changes require permission. This will mean employing an architect to draw up the plans, paying out more money in fees and waiting for an official visit, meetings and finally approval.

What are you going to do if you don't get permission?

You will presumably walk away from the deal rather poorer and leaving the seller in the lurch after months of waiting.

If you intend to buy irrespective of permission, buy first and try your luck later.

All tied up in knots!

No use without the main property.

So you think you would like a little more land, look across the fence and see a nice field.

The farmer wants to sell, even the price agreed. Agricultural land is not expensive and the extra costs so little.

Then you realise that you don't want the extra land without the house. So, purchase of house and extra land have to be co-ordinated to take place at the same time.

Buyer and seller have both handed over control of a major deal to a side issue.

The professional advisors of the smaller operation now effectively control the timing of the main sale. Not only that, but they are in a position to demand their own terms.

Losing control.

The moral of this story is KISS - keep it simple stupid!

You may continue to

In future articles, we will tell you why you cannot avoid the "crunch" moment - and why it should come sooner rather than later.

We will also be making some suggestions about checks a potential buyer can make for themselves before even thinking about making an offer.

In the meantime, if you are so inclined, you can return to FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS which deals specifically with Hangman's Cottage

or perhaps UNDERSTANDING ESTATE AGENTS will offer you some help for any sale or purchase

or RETURN TO HOME PAGE

...simplicity

- from a more complicated Hangman's Cottage, just to the south of Misery Corner.

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