Cheap house

[Gob]

A house going under the hammer in Middlesbrough could become Britain’s cheapest with a starting price of just £750 ($1299 USD or $1670 Au).

Number 12, Limetrees Close in Port Clarence could become Britain’s cheapest house when it is sold at auction the end of the month.

The three-bedroomed semi-detached home also features a lounge, entrance hall, family bathroom and a front and rear garden.






Although situated in a troubled area of the town, it is described as an ‘ideal investment’ and has a starting price of just £750.

Number 42, on the same street, which is also a three-bedroomed property, is being sold with a starting price of £1,000.

With no reserve on either - the estate agents will entertain the idea of a ‘buy one get one free’ offer.

Estate agent Richard Watson of Robinson’s said: 'We are looking for a quick sale at auction on these two three-bedroom properties.

'We are still in talks with the auctioneer and the owner about getting them as a job lot, buy one get one free, but at the moment we are hoping that when they go up for sale bidders will bring the owner a decent price.'

Mr Watson added: 'Number 12 is needing a bit of work so the price reflects that, but the other house could take a tenant almost straight away.'

[Gob]

And here's another bargain!!

Set in 25 acres of lush parkland and boasting a clocktower, stables and servants' quarters, this stately home was birthplace of former Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden in 1897.

So it was no surprise when the 19th-century Windlestone Hall was valued at almost £2million shortly after Durham County Council put it on the market six years ago.

Now, however, with the Grade II* listed magnificent country pile falling into disrespair, it has been sold off at a bargain £241,000. ($375000 Au or $388800 US.)







The rock-bottom selling price of the beautiful building is particularly bizarre in view of its grand history and beautiful features.

The U-shaped home, near Rushyford, County Durham, has a billiard room, a library with a dummy bookcase leading to its gallery, stables, separate staff quarters and many original marble fireplaces.

Elegant Doric columns and triglyph friezes adorn the house alongside Tudor and Jacobean finishings and classical mouldings shaped like swirling leaves, baskets of flowers and thick trails of plants.

Although in need of urgent repair work, its final selling price has prompted anger from one councillor, who claims owners Durham County Council could have made up to £2million on the sale.

Dear god, you couldn't get a decent small house in Canberra for that!

[The Hen]

I'll have one. Make it the second one.

[dales]

Good Lord.......... all that and 25 acres to boot for under 400 grand?

Even in the depressed market, one couldn't live in a decent neighborhood for that kind of money.

I say, give it a fresh coat of paint and I'll send a cheque straight away.

[rubato]

Kitchen needs an upgrade. Tear out and start over.

Exterior is nasty. Giant tower in front of ugly house?

Lots of nice things inside.

yrs,
rubato

[Jarlaxle]

Kitchen looks fine to me...if anything, those look like commercial-spec appliances. If so, they'll last forever.

First pic is a bit out of focus: is that the front or the back?

[MajGenl.Meade]

I'd guess with a parking lot and a gatehouse, it just might be the 'front'. Bearing in mind that the attractive side of a property like this is the 'back' where the landscaping affords the best perspective as one returns to the house from shooting a couple of peasants

Meade

[oldr_n_wsr]

Who do I talk to about a purchase and what are the property taxes on all the houses?

[MajGenl.Meade]

I'd guess with a parking lot and a gatehouse, it just might be the 'front'. Bearing in mind that the attractive side of a property like this is the 'back' where the landscaping affords the best perspective as one returns to the house from shooting a couple of peasants

Take back the first bit - the 'U' shaped house referred to (and shown behind the clock tower) is not the actual house - it is the former stables, pictured here:



This is the house front: (English Heritage doesn't seem to like my posting their picture; so here's another)

Large house, circa 1835, by Ignatius Bonomi for Sir Robert Johnson Eden. Incorporates an earlier C16 house. Surrounded by gardens and parkland and a cluster of Estate buildings, including stables. Last occupied as a residential school but now vacant. The Hall is showing signs of a lack of maintenance, with some internal water ingress. Early C19 clock tower and stables gateway by Ignatius Bonomi. Cupola repaired with an English Heritage grant in 1989, but stonework repairs now needed. The Hall was used as a school but was put on the market in 2006. The clock faces have been stolen

I hope this is the satellite photo:
http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=54.65316 ... ,-1.593123

Had I the funds, I'd be happy to buy the thing - it's a wonderful example of what made minor baronets happy

Meade

[rubato]

"... where the landscaping affords the best perspective as one returns to the house from shooting a couple of peasants

Meade

Just with rock salt, of course, the object is to train them, not waste cheap labor.

It does look much better from the real front.


"some water ingress" = expensive water damage and the outside needs a good steam clean. My guess is you'd only be starting if you put $1,000,000 into repairs and you'd still have problems with the old heating/plumbing/wiring.


yrs,
rubato