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PROPERTY 3


Near the sea, lots of land €39,000 (£33,300)


Where: Vegadeo, near Ribardeo, Asturias


Property details Ë Three storeys Ë 200 square metres built area Ë 5,000 square metres of land Ë Good water and electricity connections Ë Outbuildings for further conversion Ë South-east facing


For more details: Spanish Country Cottages: www.spanishcountrycottages.co.uk.


This bargain property has wonderful potential as a rural B&B, with good access to both the countryside of western Asturias and the Turia Valley, and some of Europe’s best surfi ng beaches. It needs total renovation, being built in a traditional style with a barn/stable on the ground fl oor, but grants may be available to help with the costs of renovation to a rural guesthouse. The large section of land includes forest and pasture, offering the chance to be farmed for profi t or rented out to a neighbouring farmer. The views are of forest and valley, but you’ll be able to smell the sea from here, around fi ve miles away. The house is in a quiet village but close enough to Ribardeo for nights out and shopping.


MAX LIKES: • I think this one is my favourite so far! • The amount of land and green space is incredible, allowing me the freedom to do so much, maybe keep livestock or plant an orchard.


• I nearly paid a visit to this area last year but did not have time and only managed to reach a village 100 kilometres from Vegadeo. • The price is perfect, well under my budget.


MAX DISLIKES: • This is my number one contender but there’s still the question of how much it would cost me to renovate the house and outbuildings.


PROPERTY 4


Close to the mountains €80,000 (£68,380)


Where: Cantabria


Property details Ë Three storeys Ë 350-square-metre garden Ë Detached Ë Village location Ë Close to a national park Ë Already has planning permission


For more details: Cantabria Rustica: 00 34 902 999 675; www.cantabriarustica.com.


This house may look like something out of Tolkien’s Middle Earth but creating gorgeous restorations out of them has become something of a hobbit for Brits. This one is within the shadow of the Picos de Europa National Park with its ski resorts, walking trails, climbing and bouldering sites . The house has stables and hay storage within it – perfect for conversion to tourist accommodation – and though the roof clearly needs some work, the structure is usable. It already has architect’s plans and planning permission to be converted to three apartments, making a considerable saving if Max decides to stick with those plans. The garden area is large enough for a terrace, garden and pool.


MAX LIKES: • Not much about this property appeals, though the grim, snowy pictures maybe don’t help.


• The location in Cantabria is good, but I would prefer to have lots of green space nearby, rather than other houses and neighbours.


MAX DISLIKES: • I’m not at all keen on this property. • I do not like the house and the picture does not impress me. • The price is over budget, even with the potential savings on architects. • Having very little land makes things more diffi cult.


APRIL 2011 A PLACE IN THE SUN 31


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