Hi everyone,

 

I'm Lewis, based in Kent. We're selling our dream five-bed 4 year old home to take on a project — and honestly, we're not sure why! There isn’t one single reason, just a mix of them. As they say: location, location, location.

On that note, we’ve just bought the absolute worst house on what we believe is the very best road, in an area we never thought we’d be able to call home. A huge leap — but we’re all in!

I work in IT, so please be kind 🙂

Knock it down then.

ive done what you have described 4 times now, buy the worst house in the best road, I’ve then sold them as the most expensive house on that street at the time of selling. 
show us a pic. 

I should have said 'welcome' before I went ahead and answered your other Q. So belatedly, 'Welcome!'. All the answers are here. You just have to know the questions.

 

How old is the house?

6 hours ago, Russell griffiths said:

Knock it down then.

+1, if planning allows.

 

@LD84, do you know a rebuild will be zero rated for VAT? Plus you're not putting good money after bad putting lipstick on a pig......for want of another phrase....  

10 hours ago, Redbeard said:

I should have said 'welcome' before I went ahead and answered your other Q. So belatedly, 'Welcome!'. All the answers are here. You just have to know the questions.

 

How old is the house?

Thanks Redbeard. Difficult to age exactly - land reg goes back to 1969 when the title was registered, but given the original dwelling was just 3 rooms, I’m confident it pre dates that. If I had to bet, 1920s to 1940s

13 hours ago, Russell griffiths said:

Knock it down then.

ive done what you have described 4 times now, buy the worst house in the best road, I’ve then sold them as the most expensive house on that street at the time of selling. 
show us a pic. 

The thought has crossed my mind, although the most expensive house is probably worth £4m set in 4/5 acres. It’s a beast, probably 600sqm - my budget doesn’t allow me to compete with that 😂 

 

I’ll share pics soon

6 hours ago, Nickfromwales said:

+1, if planning allows.

 

@LD84, do you know a rebuild will be zero rated for VAT? Plus you're not putting good money after bad putting lipstick on a pig......for want of another phrase....  

Yup, I used to finance developments in a past life. 
 

It’s AONB/NL but a replacement dwelling shouldn’t be too contentious. Downside is time and no where else to live. 

3 hours ago, LD84 said:

Downside is time and no where else to live. 

Upside is a bit of time investment to make the home of your dreams where you will live, said dream.

 

Suck it up and get stuck in  

Welcome - from a fellow Kent dweller (Kentish Man in my case)

 

This place is an incredible resource, invaluable advice and opinion - I have learnt so much, and continue to do so

 

Much of your plans will depend on your local authority - if it's Sevenoaks then buckle-in it's going to be painful

 

All things are possible if you have adequate budget, patience and a hide of leather

 

Very best of luck

 

Regards

 

Tet

8 hours ago, Tetrarch said:

Welcome - from a fellow Kent dweller (Kentish Man in my case)

 

This place is an incredible resource, invaluable advice and opinion - I have learnt so much, and continue to do so

 

Much of your plans will depend on your local authority - if it's Sevenoaks then buckle-in it's going to be painful

 

All things are possible if you have adequate budget, patience and a hide of leather

 

Very best of luck

 

Regards

 

Tet

Hi Tet, thanks for the warm welcome. Is Sevenoaks still Kent 🤪?! 
 

I’m speaking with someone asking getting some drawings done. I’ll see what they suggest about retaining vs rebuilding 🤞

9 hours ago, Tetrarch said:

if it's Sevenoaks then buckle-in it's going to be painful

 

+1 😃 Though I do know a drawist type who knows their ways and has a successful track record of dealing with them successfully. 

10 hours ago, Onoff said:

 

+1 😃 Though I do know a drawist type who knows their ways and has a successful track record of dealing with them successfully. 

I'm intruiged about Sevenoaks LPA now. I'll do some research on the portal, however if anyone is aware of specific applications where the scheme received an OTT response and willing to share, please let me know via DM.