Ancient and Modern
Home: Buy a house with your heart - let the emotion decide and then do the maths. In so many cases it is an instant recognition when you find the house of your dreams and no matter the faults and compromises you still pursue the dream. It can be an instinct that gives you direction. Practicality of course is essential, so tick that box first ensuring the location suits your needs -work, schools, hobbies, accessibility (or not maybe). Fix the location -a square on the map -and then with a budget in hand let your heart direct you.
I have seen many occasions where decisions are made in a heartbeat - love at first sight – followed by an endless trawl of other possibilities only to return to the obvious. People spend far longer choosing the colour of their next car than in buying a house (granted the following legal process is rather more protracted and stressful but the decision was instant).
So, what is your heart telling you -old, new, contemporary, renovation, turnkey, potential? One thing is certain none will be perfect. And the beauty of home is it will, in time, reflect your character – a truly personal image where you can create the home you want.
Old, new, listed and all those eras in between. I have favourite periods of architecture and equally eras of buildings I would not choose to buy. Whilst favouring period properties I also imagine building a traditional carbon neutral house in a stunning setting - ideally a Victorian walled garden -but that is what it is -a dream.
Devon is blessed with fantastic houses from early thatched longhouses to state-of-the-art contemporary homes and so many in enviable locations.
Hidden away in a secret coombe on Dartmoor is Gidleigh Mill, near Chagford. Set in 43 acres an historic listed thatched farmhouse sympathetically restored with the addition of a contemporary wing overlooking the millpond. Included is secondary accommodation being the conversion of a former roundhouse. With natural woodland, wildflower meadow and paddock running down to Blackaton Brook this is a truly magical property. Jackson Stops (01392 214222) secured a sale in the autumn of 2020 amongst a serious level of interest.
Marine House. Impeccable quality -the ultimate in contemporary luxury in Torquay’s favoured road. Uninterrupted. elevated views of Thatchers Rock from the wall-to-wall glass. This house has everything the smart modern family expect - cinema room, yoga room. 4 en-suite bedrooms and stunning reception and kitchen spaces. Savills have the instructions to sell this. (01392 455755)
Upauver, Crediton. A striking one off property built in the 1930s by the renowned local craftsmen builders Dart and Francis. It embodies the feel of a period house with a modern design. Solid oak floors, doors and staircase give this house a period, quality charm and with four good bedrooms is a good family house. Helmores are the agents (01363 535002)
Old or new – a home is the heart of family life, a place of memory making, a respite from the outside world - home is what you make it - It’s all about coming home.