Melverley, Oswestry

 My initial reaction upon seeing this property was thinking that a bomb had gone off in the right bedroom. The property is striking, not least because of the bedroom bomb-factor, but also because it rests in 8.5 acres of its own land, a size not to be sniffed at.
There's a lot of information available as the current owners have had a bat survey, ground level survey and flood risk assessment. However, the results of these surveys are not specified! 

The property is clearly in need of some major renovation, if not knocking down and starting again. It has not been stated that planning permission is in place which probably means there isn't any.
The potential is there however, especially with such a large lot of land, and hopefully it will find owners that can give it the love it needs.
The property is being sold at auction and the guide price is £85,000.

For more details, see the estate agents website: www.townandcountryproperty.co.uk

Broadstone Stables

I have a little fantasy that I delve into some times where Guy Martin randomly comes passing by, sweeps me off my feet and we go motorcycling into the distance together. If when this happens, I'm sure he would have no problem with buying me these lovely little stables in his home county of Yorkshire. Benefiting from mains electricity and a private water supply, it wouldn't take much to convert and make a beautiful property - planning permission allowing.

You could, of course, keep the property as it is and have your own livery business. Something my other half who is unfortunately not Guy Martin and I have spoken about doing before. It has a generous 7.5 acres and hosts four block and stone stables, a secure tack/day room and an adjoining store room. On sale for £130,000, its value is going to be weighed in by what you use it for and, of course, planning permissions.
Find more information at: www.ruralscene.co.uk

Derelict Barn, Hereford

I haven't really posted this property because I think its a particularly good deal or an interesting find. I just wanted to share what I think is an amazing feat of construction. I have no idea what is holding this barn up, perhaps magic or just simply hope, but it looks like a sneeze could send it toppling over. No bother though, as the site has planning permission for the whole thing to be knocked down and a 2-bed house to be erected in its place. The current permissions don't have much room for creativity, as the planning in place is fairly detailed.

With the option of purchasing additional grounds, the final build could be lovely, if a bit on the small side to start with. The land, and barn, are up for a rather large £100,000 with the adjoining 1.25 acres of land being an extra £15,000.

For more details go to: www.st-hereford.co.uk/

Old School House, Nottingham

A charming, derelict school house and cottages granted with planning permission for conversion into a 5-bed house. There is something very appealing about this property, even though I usually lean towards the listings with lots of space in the countryside. This rather urban plot has a site area of "just" 1064 sq yards.

Considering the selling prices of property in the area, the price is very fair at £220,000 - though a lot of money is going to be spent to meet the plans of "demolish existing cottages, renovate and extend Oasis Building and convert to residential and erect bungalow.’listed in the planning permission. It seems a shame that the property can't be salvaged and converted, but I imagine that there is darker goings on, subsidence for example, that isn't explained.

For more information, check out the estate agents site: www.chestertonhumberts.com

Low Moss Cottage

I love a good old dry stone wall. That's what first caught my eye with this fab 18th century stone cottage in Bishop Auckland.
The property has definite potential, with planning permission to be refurbished to "provide a holiday cottage in an elevated position with far-reaching views over the moorland" - it certainly would make a beautiful holiday home, with the potential to let out or use as a retreat yourself.

It comes with 5 acres, which makes it even more appealing, and could definitely work for someone with equestrian interests. There is a further stone ruin that has planning permission to be refurbished into an office or a garage. With the relevant permissions, this could be a really lovely little family home.
On the market for a bargain basement price of £85,000. (And as the below picture tells us so subtly, its reduced)

For more information go to the website: www.ruralscene.co.uk

House of Horrors, Norwich

This is the house where the screaming girl in the tight top runs into, having grabbed the banana as a weapon rather than the gun. It's rather scary looking, rather overgrown but I think with some TLC and a heavy duty hedge-trimmer, this property could be a really lovely family home. Based in Fakenham, Norfolk, this property is actually two semi-detached houses so you have the option of renovating both, living in one and renting the other out - potentially covering your own mortgage costs. You could of course knock a bit of wall in and make it all one big house too.

The plot covers about half an acre in total, so a good garden size for both properties. Its for sale by auction, on the 21st March 2013, with a guide price of £120,000 - £140,000. With no inside pictures, and no reports stated, its hard to guess at the state of the building - but you'd be looking at spending a lot on top of that. For more details: www.brown-co.com

Woolsington Hall

Calling all you millionaires out there looking for a challenge! Woolsington Hall is a spectacular Grade II listed property and is in desperate need of restoration. It totals a whopping 92 acres with its own manor, cottages, farm steading, orangery and woodland. Unfortunately there are no photographs of the inside, which is a shame because I would have loved to see the boasted about venetian windows with lattice cames and the large stone fireplaces.

This is a collasal project, everything needing renovation and as it currently stands there are no fixtures, fittings or working services. There are also no planning or listing consents - something else to add to the mounting to-do list. In addition to the hall, there are 3 cottages, a range of concrete portal framed general purpose buildings, timber frame lean-to, and hayshed and range of predominantly built brick byers and outbuildings.
Hold onto your purses because the bones of this project don't come cheap: The whole lot is currently for sale for £2,000,000.
So if you're keen on hard graft (but great reward) start buying those lottery tickets!

For more details go to the estate agents site: www.struttandparker.com/