This Grade II listed farmhouse dating to the mid 1500s and situated down a hidden track away from the world in 2.1 acres of overgrown gardens and grounds requires a full renovation. Property editor Caroline Culot went to take a look at Rumburgh Place Farm, Wissett, for sale for £775,000 with Musker McIntyre.
It's fair to say this really is a property project.
And just in case you thought I was only ever interested in the glamorous houses to feature, I bring you this residence which is anything but that and in places, hasn't been touched for many a year. It's going to need a lot more than a lick of paint to get it ship-shape so this isn't a project for the faint hearted - it needs absolutely everything renovating, literally needs taking apart and putting back together but with a lot of love, and even more cash, one day could be an incredibly beautiful home in the country again.
There's a lot of property though - with this house is also a 53ft timber barn, possibly just as interesting for some buyers as the house itself, and this also needs full renovation as well as some brick outbuildings so for those with a penchant for this type of major project, it's a real find and you possibly could sell the barn to help pay for the renovation of the house?
The garden is completely overgrown and the house, not far from Halesworth and about 23 miles from Norwich, is at the end of a little track and you enter the rear which is the farmhouse and probably oldest part of the house, with the gentrified, more formal facade on the other side.
The house is timber framed and has many features which could be cleaned up and enhanced such as original doors, wide floorboard floors, fireplaces and it's even got a 'secret room' accessed by the stairs which go down to the cellar. Being a merchant's house originally, this room was apparently used to hide smuggled goods; possibly wine, spirits and even tea.
Inside it's difficult to really make out the rooms but essentially you have a large cellar, two reception rooms, a big kitchen and the former dairy as well as six bedrooms. It's mostly untouched in terms of wiring and plumbing so you really would have to start from scratch. Outside you have the barn, a brick workshop and tin barn, two studios and a workroom as well as stables and a double garage.
I'd love to go back when it's been purchased and see the renovation and how fascinating to be able to re-visit when it's truly restored.
Interestingly, I was describing the property to my 12 year old-step daughter - who looked at me and said: 'I think that's what estate agents call a property project.'
Wise words indeed.
For more information contact Musker McIntyre on 01986 888160 www.muskermcintyre.co.uk
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