12,000 Quid for this? Has it been worth it? Ask a silly Question!

I've been banging on for years about what a great bargain we stumbled across 19 years ago when we picked up our house in Brittany for just £12,000 plus fees - so about £16,000 in all. Obviously we have spent a few quid doing it up BUT it still hasn't cost us any more than around 80k in total including the purchase price. Of course it has been our 'holiday' home (sometimes anyone within an arm's length when they say "have a nice holiday" is in danger of a swipe... I'm thinking here of my wife rather than myself) and, because we don't live there year round, we have spent many times the cost of the house on ferry crossings... but "Has it been worth it?" 

You bet it has!! and sometimes spending most of one's time over there renovating is not everyone's idea of anything approaching a holiday! Saying this does sort the men out from the boys (in this day and age you're almost bound to upset some people with a choice of words when looking for the right way to explain a situation in an easy to understand way). 'To renovate yourself - or - buy in the skills?' You also, if not able or wanting to get involved can spend some money to improve your bargain via reliable artisans - or - a little of each.

New roof front and rear including dormer and Velux's

The astounding thing is that, comparatively, there are still such bargains to be had. Don't believe me?

Recently, OK, within the last 2 years, acquaintances - who have now become good friends bought two houses (so 5 bedrooms in all) on an exceptional courtyard with great outbuildings on land of 3,000m2 at the wetlands end of a 6km lake for just £100,000 all perfectly habitable. Sounds perfect n'est ce pas? As it happens, and the way their life is panning out, it coincides with them downsizing on their property in the UK as well as spending more time at their house in France, so it fits their requirements perfectly and is also very do-able financially. 

Not everyone has that amount of good fortune or the funds to juggle in what looks like such a trouble-free way. But no two life stories are the same. But by no means should you feel that this game is only for 'rich folks'... Far from it...We might live in Southern England but we ain't rich!... Just a bit nearer to the channel ports which do make this kind of thing more achievable and less hassle.

Whatever you might think about Brexit or the bouncing Exchange Rates there are still bargains aplenty... If you have an inkling about being interested in a Brittany (or Normandy) bargain
then you should begin your search at
www.ahouseinbrittany.com OR www.ahouseinnormandy.com

A Brittany Manor House with a twist or two!

Our time spent in Brittany, when it comes to RandR is spent alternating between two lakes which are pretty much equidistant from our place ... the biggest, proves to be quite a draw in the summer. Not surprisingly being 12 kilometres long, it has plenty to commend it. But - in a Breton way - it could never be called oversubscribed with those wishing to swim, scuba dive, walk, ramble, cycle, sail, water-ski, fish, windsurf, canoe, jet-ski or even enjoy a dinner cruise. All of these pastimes are there and all are used and indulged in but it's never 'full on'. It never gets so busy as to get anywhere near uncomfortable or crowded.

There's a lake a short walk from the end of the garden

The second lake about 6 kilometres long and a wee bit skinnier has far fewer amenities but somehow  is more attractive for us at least... more exclusive supporting open water swimming, canoeing, pedalos (the pizza restaurant at the southern end of the lake has boats for hire in summer months) and there is a man made beach. We have often taken Rudy for a walk there and often felt that unbeknown to us the world must have come to an end...and that we are the only ones left alive... whether it's driving in on the approach roads or walking around the lake through woodland walks or throwing sticks into the lake for the dog to retrieve from the beach... We'll most often be alone. And it is this lake which is just a stone's throw from a property we have just been asked to market...

... It's a Manor House on the fringes of the lake's wetland area... Not an ancient manor which many think the name suggests but one which does have some amazing features going for it... Such as owner's accommodation, three Gites and, also for rental the main Manor House section, with 5 ensuite bedrooms, and huge reception room which opens on to a terrace and pool area and, beyond that, two acres of parc and gardens. If home and income is what you're after - look no further. 
The whole property was built around 1985 and is therefore up to date in terms of electrical, heating and plumbing installations all being up to spec. A total of 15 bedrooms mean that there is great flexibility as regards the capacity Once new owners become used to their surroundings and the local market... they may realise the potential of another feature:- a giant marquee (stored in the full footprint basement) which also houses the banqueting tables and furnishings to enable weddings, receptions, seminars and family or business celebrations within the building as well as within the Manor's extensive grounds...

The house's proximity to the lake make this property a great potential money spinner for special interest groups of canoeists, kayak clubs, walkers and ramblers as well as family groups who will find exploring Central Brittany and the Emerald (north) coast which is less than 30 minutes drive away. All facilities:- shopping, restaurants, bars, banks and supermarkets are 15 minutes away at Quintin. If you enjoy to eat well on a budget (and who doesn't) a nearby village has two Routier (open menu) bar/restaurants where a blow-out including wine or cider will set you back just 11 Euros. That reminds me - we must go back there soon.

       If you haven't arrived at this page from our website...

then click here to see the full property details of the Manoir

http://www.ahouseinbrittany.com/component/ezrealty/ezrealty/28-detached/2311-ahib-1-dn-643

If you wish to view this property then please in the first instance contact us at:- 
A House in Brittany Limited on 01903 202272 or e-mail us... info@ahouseinbrittany.com

Brittany has so much to offer...

Alfresco Moules & Frites on the north coast...
right by the beach. 30 minutes away.

The Nantes/Brest Canal

Nearby walks on the Rigole d'Hilvern

Son et Lumiere events and recitals at the Abbey of Bon Repos.