MANY people dream of being able to afford just one house, but one couple have revealed they were able to buy an entire village for less than the price of some cars.
However, although they thought the purchase was an absolute steal at the time, they have now admitted that their project to renovate it has left their “finances stretched”, thanks to the crisis.
Tony and Terry bought an entire French village
The village is currently crumbling
The couple don’t have the cash to make major renovations
Tony and Terry, from Gloucester, were delighted when they were able to snap up the village of Chicheville in Deux-sevres, , for around £51,000.
But the furniture restorers are currently short on cash while they wait for their home in the UK to sell, so have so far only been able to afford to do basic repairs to the home.
“We’re protecting a part of ,” Tony told Channel 4’s Help! We Bought a Village.
“We’re saving something that otherwise might disappear and basically become a pile of stones.
“There’s so much family, so much history here, living over generations. It’s a shame to see that go.”
Terry was immediately attracted to the quaint village, which dates back to the 1800s, when she saw it advertised online.
The tiny village consists of just three cottages, a pig sty, a barn and a small wood.
At present, the village lies crumbling and abandoned whilst the couple wait for an influx of cash.
“It’s been a difficult time in the UK, what with the cost of living crisis and everything else,” Tony said.
“It’s just put us under more pressure.”
During the episode, the couple visited the village for the first time in six months, and got to work trying to fix the place up.
The couple also showed off the stunning main cottage, which was once the heart of the village, and home to farmers.
Terry revealed that throughout the renovation, the couple plan to keep many of the homes‘ original features, such as a terracotta pot built in to the walls.
“We don’t really like some of the methods people use when restoring houses nowadays”, she revealed.
Home upgrades that add the most value to a house
The best renovation to add value totally depends on your property, the local market and your potential buyers.
Zoopla shared a list of upgrades that will instantly add value to your home.
- Loft conversion – increase of 15%
- Off-street parking – adds £50,000 to property price
- New kitchen – increase of 15%
- Garage conversion – increase of 15%
- Cellar or basement conversion – increase of 10-15%
- Open plan living space – increase of 3-5%
- New bathroom – increase of 3-5%
“We just want it to look how it would’ve looked before.”
So far during the restoration process, the couple have created an “oasis” in the main cottage.
The cosy sitting room features comfy sofas and warm rugs, and will be used by the couple as a cocktail lounge.
Although the couple admitted that the project is hard work, they remain determined to complete their task.
“You’ve got to rescue these houses before they disappear,” Tony concluded.
“Like the rest of the hamlet, really.”
