Luck secured us an Orchard – May 2004

The Grange itself is situated in around 1,200 sq metres of land on 3 sides. On the 4th side is an orchard and wonderfully tended vegetable plot, which adjourns the Grange and stretches to country lane that runs alongside. We had coverted that piece of land from our first viewing and had it in our mind to offer to buy it from the owner, once we were settled in.

During the visit, Nick was just explaining to me that French Building Regulation meant we could not put any windows overlooking a neighbours land and an archetypical old Frenchman came up and explained he owned the Orchard and thought we should buy it from him.

He had thought through all the reasons and benefits to us of buying the land and wanted a reasonable price for the 400 sq metres that would completely change and improve the options for the renovation and orientation of the property.

Check it Out Survey – May 2004

The disagreement on the price turned into a blessing in disguise, as we had arranged for Nick Adams, a local Architect to visit and check out the structure of the Grange and provide advice on the renovation work, which proved invaluable and reassuring. The delay enabled us to get advice and the reassurrance that the structure was sound and the projest was feasible, before proceeding.

http://www.adamsgautier.com/

We were being pressurised to move ahead with the signing of the Contract, which we had managed to delay as a result of the gazumping, but following the visit we move ahead with more confidence.