by Tim O'Dell

Created on: April 01, 2008

Hansel and Gretel or Little Lord Fauntleroy? These are often the images that people have when hunting for a country house. Unfortunately, the reality of rural life can come as a shock to city born home-hunters. Isolation, expensive upkeep and exclusion can all be consequences of life in the country, so it's best to consider carefully before buying.

Common sense tells most people that a country mansion is out of the question. This leaves the option of the rustic cottage. Now, a little thatched cottage with a rose covered porch may appeal to romantics, but these are probably the hardest dwellings to maintain. A good thatch will last for 40 to 50 years, but your whole roof then needs replacing; a costly exercise.

Even if you don't go for the thatched option, the majority of rural homes have been standing for many years. This may mean your home lacks modern conveniences like wall cavity insulation. Your damp proofing may need replacing; from experience a job that requires the plaster to be removed from internal, ground floor, walls, and holes drilled through the brick. This takes several days and a lot of disruption.

If there have been any structural modifications these may need to be addressed if the works have not been completed properly. A house I owned had once had a chimney-breast removed from the lower floor and an upstairs bedroom. Unfortunately, the removal had stopped there and the remains of the breast were still present in the attic. With no support these were liable to collapse through the ceiling at any time, and we had to arrange for them to be shored up before we moved in.

So a complete survey is a must before buying an older house. You may regret your purchase if you discover the defects too late.

Country living can also mean owning the sole house in the middle of a large swathe of nature. While this may be part of the appeal of buying a country home, it does have its downsides. In the summer when the sun shines across pristine fields, the trees sway gently in the warm breeze and you can sit on the lawn with no company but the birds, life is great. However, when the snows come, the wind whistles through the eves and ice forms on the windowpane, life is hard.

Consider why you want to live in the country before buying. Think about the pitfalls as well as the bonuses of rural life.

Country living doesn't necessarily involve isolated dwellings however. You can have all the benefits of a country house, with a neighborhood, by living in a village. These close communities can often provide support and convenience while maintaining a country feel. Beware though, certainly in rural England, as outsiders often find it difficult to get involved in village life. Because these communities are so tight, working your way in can take many years and a lot of effort.

So you need to consider carefully before buying a house in the country. Why do you want this home and is it right for you? Are you going to need to carry out a lot of repair work, or travel long distances to work and back? Are there good links to the nearest town or city? Do you think you could belong here? All these factors should be weighed before making your decision.

Just let me leave you with one picture. For the few years I lived on the edge of an English village, my house stood between cornfields and an orchard. I did indeed wake up one spring morning to see fields of gold, shining in brilliant sunshine; hear the breeze rustling the fruit trees, and the morning call of Swallows as they flew from the eves of the house. This was the reason we bought a country home. I could have stayed in that moment for a lifetime; sometimes it is worth the effort.

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