Home buyers aiming to upgrade or invest in a second home may consider properties that aren’t new-builds.
What Period Is a ‘Period Property’?
Think in terms of any property built before World War 1. Generally, home buyers survey Kent and other counties in England for period properties which are Victorian, Georgian, Queen Anne or Elizabethan – properties over 118 years old. So what are the advantages of buying one of these?
1. Romantic Era and Character
Popular TV series such as Downton Abbey and Wolf Hall feature period properties which romanticise an era of large, spacious homes with sprawling landscaped gardens and endless drives. Inside, there are usually original fireplaces, high ceilings, timber-framed sash windows, cornices, ceiling roses and real wooden floors. And if you’re lucky, you may even find an antique bathtub!
2. Location
Most period properties were built when space was not a constraint, occupying the best bit of real estate in the village – for example, around a village green or close to major transport links. Some could also be surrounded by open land with far-reaching panoramic views.
3. Built to Last
Properties which have lasted for over a century could easily last for another hundred years. That’s because they have thick walls made of solid stone. Unlike the breezeblocks and plasterboard construction of modern homes, period properties are robust. To be on the safe side, invest in a chartered surveyor such as https://www.samconveyancing.co.uk/Homebuyers-Survey/Home-Buyers-Survey-Kent to ensure there is no hidden damage requiring major repairs before signing on the dotted line.
4. Space to Extend
With lots of space around some period properties, extensions for an extra room or conversions of a loft or barn are viable options.
5. Parking
Owners of some period properties are never short of space for their multiple cars. Whereas owners of new homes struggle with street-parking or single garages that end up being used as storage space, the long driveways of these period properties would mean having a party for 100 people won’t get the neighbours riled because their driveways are blocked.
6. Privacy
Last but not least, modern developers tend to build houses so densely packed that the chances are your neighbours are able to look straight into your kitchen if they wish. With large gardens and spare land, period properties enjoy complete privacy.
Small wonder then that 82% of people prefer a period home.