ᐅ Purchase of a vacant farmhouse in a rural area outside the built-up zone
Created on: 15 Sep 2018 13:08
I
Ilef123
Hello everyone,
I am new here and urgently need some advice. We have fallen in love with an old farmhouse located in a district of our municipality (in Brandenburg). One reason we like the property so much is that it lies on the edge of several fields, with the nearest neighboring house approximately 50–200m (55–220 yards) away. Visually, the property is clearly distinct from the nearby settlement.
A few days ago, we learned that the current owner is willing to sell the farmhouse to us. We immediately started researching and arranged an appointment with the building authority, which will take place soon. During our research, we came across the topics of “outlying area” zoning and “scattered settlement,” which at first felt like a big setback, as we are generally only interested in properties like this. The farmhouse has probably been unoccupied for many years and apparently is not currently habitable (we have yet to do an interior inspection; there is significant damage to several roofs, though most exterior walls appear to be in acceptable condition).
We really want to buy this property and are willing to fight for it if there is a chance of success. Even just the land alone is worth the effort to us, so the poor condition of the buildings doesn’t discourage us much. We both have building experience, but as we are now realizing, not the legal or planning expertise. Our initial idea was, of course, to demolish at will and build a new, custom-designed house (construction would start no earlier than 2020). However, since we have read that the best we might achieve is to restore the existing residential buildings in the same form and in the same place, we would accept that too (although we don’t yet know exactly what counts as living space there, and we are tempted by the idea of turning one of the barns into a living room).
We feel quite overwhelmed and desperate and only have a few days to decide, as there are other interested parties. Could someone advise us on the best approach, what we should absolutely avoid, and what we need to be careful about? Is there a realistic chance of success? We know this probably isn’t a reasonable idea and that it will be a difficult path, but we want to give it a try.
Thanks in advance!
I am new here and urgently need some advice. We have fallen in love with an old farmhouse located in a district of our municipality (in Brandenburg). One reason we like the property so much is that it lies on the edge of several fields, with the nearest neighboring house approximately 50–200m (55–220 yards) away. Visually, the property is clearly distinct from the nearby settlement.
A few days ago, we learned that the current owner is willing to sell the farmhouse to us. We immediately started researching and arranged an appointment with the building authority, which will take place soon. During our research, we came across the topics of “outlying area” zoning and “scattered settlement,” which at first felt like a big setback, as we are generally only interested in properties like this. The farmhouse has probably been unoccupied for many years and apparently is not currently habitable (we have yet to do an interior inspection; there is significant damage to several roofs, though most exterior walls appear to be in acceptable condition).
We really want to buy this property and are willing to fight for it if there is a chance of success. Even just the land alone is worth the effort to us, so the poor condition of the buildings doesn’t discourage us much. We both have building experience, but as we are now realizing, not the legal or planning expertise. Our initial idea was, of course, to demolish at will and build a new, custom-designed house (construction would start no earlier than 2020). However, since we have read that the best we might achieve is to restore the existing residential buildings in the same form and in the same place, we would accept that too (although we don’t yet know exactly what counts as living space there, and we are tempted by the idea of turning one of the barns into a living room).
We feel quite overwhelmed and desperate and only have a few days to decide, as there are other interested parties. Could someone advise us on the best approach, what we should absolutely avoid, and what we need to be careful about? Is there a realistic chance of success? We know this probably isn’t a reasonable idea and that it will be a difficult path, but we want to give it a try.
Thanks in advance!
Hello,
we also live in a rural area here (although in North Rhine-Westphalia), and have been through this with our old house, which had already been in the family for generations.
Here, you are allowed to buy, but then comes the big catch...
Renovations such as a complete restoration, or demolition and rebuilding, are only allowed under very specific conditions.
Number one, and the basic requirement for the authorities to even consider your case, is that the old house must have been your main residence for 5 years.
Then, an architect here would have to provide an official report declaring the old house as a write-off – you need an official statement about its condition and confirmation that future living is only possible through a full restoration or new build.
And then the fun really begins... -.-
So please check with your local building authority (building permit / planning permission office) beforehand to find out how things work in your area.
In these rural communities, many have tried what you are hoping for, only to end up stuck with an old, dilapidated house and not being allowed to build!
Fingers crossed for you
If you want to know more, just get in touch.
we also live in a rural area here (although in North Rhine-Westphalia), and have been through this with our old house, which had already been in the family for generations.
Here, you are allowed to buy, but then comes the big catch...
Renovations such as a complete restoration, or demolition and rebuilding, are only allowed under very specific conditions.
Number one, and the basic requirement for the authorities to even consider your case, is that the old house must have been your main residence for 5 years.
Then, an architect here would have to provide an official report declaring the old house as a write-off – you need an official statement about its condition and confirmation that future living is only possible through a full restoration or new build.
And then the fun really begins... -.-
So please check with your local building authority (building permit / planning permission office) beforehand to find out how things work in your area.
In these rural communities, many have tried what you are hoping for, only to end up stuck with an old, dilapidated house and not being allowed to build!
Fingers crossed for you
If you want to know more, just get in touch.
C
Caspar202016 Sep 2018 09:01Ilef123 schrieb:
Thanks for your answers. To be honest, we are less concerned about financing since we have above-average equity and a relatively high income for the region.Nevertheless, you still need money from the bank, right?
In rural areas, some banks do not offer financing at all; and many apply different criteria than they do in urban areas.
Ilef123 schrieb:
If the surroundings of the property on three sides consist of agricultural land used for hundreds of meters,There was once a saying: "farmland stays in farmers’ hands."
Hello everyone,
after receiving much more positive feedback from both the building authority and the district office than we had initially expected, we proceeded to purchase the property. Planning has already started. It definitely seems that there are significant differences from region to region when it comes to dealing with developments in outer areas. At least, there appear to be possibilities for designing a modern residential building even in non-designated areas. The issue with financing through direct banks seems to hold some truth, as some exclude loans for construction projects in outer areas. Our local bank, however, does not differentiate between inner and outer areas when granting and determining the amount of the loan (we have already had a discussion).
Whether we will actually receive approval for our project in the end, we will only know in a few months. I will be happy to update you then.
Best regards
after receiving much more positive feedback from both the building authority and the district office than we had initially expected, we proceeded to purchase the property. Planning has already started. It definitely seems that there are significant differences from region to region when it comes to dealing with developments in outer areas. At least, there appear to be possibilities for designing a modern residential building even in non-designated areas. The issue with financing through direct banks seems to hold some truth, as some exclude loans for construction projects in outer areas. Our local bank, however, does not differentiate between inner and outer areas when granting and determining the amount of the loan (we have already had a discussion).
Whether we will actually receive approval for our project in the end, we will only know in a few months. I will be happy to update you then.
Best regards
C
Caspar202030 Oct 2018 10:00Ilef123 schrieb:
Whether we will actually receive a building permit / planning permission for our project in the end, we won’t know for a few months. I will be happy to report then.Sounds exciting.
