I'm aware my property picks have been on the pricier side of late. Last week's, for example, breached £300k, while the week before included a seaside wreck at a chunky £650k.
I've been bothered by that, particularly given the looming cost-of-Trump crisis, so I spent most of today hunting for interesting properties to renovate under £200k - under £100k when I could find them. I've got two to show you today and another batch to follow next week.
I'll be honest, today's two are proper wrecks, which is why they both offer so much for so (relatively) little. Both are detached country homes with large plots of land and fabulous views. One even has a Blue Plaque marking its historical importance.
And both will need rather more than some tins of Farrow & Ball and a nice rug...
Here's my first pick. A Grade II-listed, traditional farmhouse in Garsdale, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Sitting just back from the A684, your nearest town is Sedburgh and your nearest neighbour that stone barn (owned by the vendor).
You have a beck running through part of your garden land, but no water or services to the building itself (it did have electricity for a while).
Downstairs is a large kitchen, living room, plus a walk-in pantry and laundry room and side porch. Upstairs are three bedrooms, two a good size one very small, and what was the bathroom.
Obviously I'm using room names here that are only notionally applicable.
There is clearly a LOT of work to do (the estate agent euphemistically describes it as "untouched"), and you should pay for your own full structural survey (Level 3) to have a better idea of the risks.
But, oh my Lord, the views on Streetview are just breathtaking.
On the market through Armistead Barnett at offers around £180k. Details, more pictures and video on the agent's site here and on Rightmove here.
My second pick this week is in Wales and had been owned from 1952 to 1964 by Eileen and Trefor Beasley, warriors for the Welsh language, earning their home a Blue Plaque.
Eileen was teacher and Trefor a miner when they began their campaign, refusing to pay their rates for eight years until the council sent them forms in Welsh. They were taken to court 16 times, had the bailiffs at their door four times, and Trefor even spent a week in prison. But they stood their ground and won - Llanelli Council sending them a bilingual rate demand in 1960.
As I said, warriors.
The two-bedroom detached cottage is in the small village of Llangennach, down its own lane and surrounded by its large and overgrown gardens.
Downstairs is a good-size living room, kitchen, and a narrow sitting room, with quarry tile floors. Upstairs two bedrooms and a bathroom. Lots of beams and cute original features.
There are radiators in most rooms and services connected, but none of it has been used for a while and, while it may be less of a wreck than the Garsdale house, there are clearly issues - starting with a roof that will need looking at.
On the market through Morgan Carpenter with a guide price of £140k. Details and more pictures on the agent's site here and on Rightmove here.
I'm going to finish with Eileen and Trefor telling their story - in Welsh of course, from their then very cosy living room with its beautifully full Welsh dresser. Tan tro nesa!
