Farmhouse

Renovating a farmhouse

Could you make your childhood dreams come true? Buying a patch of land, renovating an old farmhouse and finally being able to wake up and smell the heather. What do you need to know before you start?

An attractive investment

“In mainland France, every indicator of land use change points to a significant shift from away agriculture and forestry towards urbanisation, infrastructures and other forms of economic activity”, writes Philippe Madeline in L’évolution du bâti agricole en France métropolitaine : un indice des mutations agricoles et rurales (The evolution of agricultural buildings in mainland France: an index of changing agricultural and rural trends). When people deserted the countryside for the city, they left behind them the sheds and buildings of deserted farms, which are now being repurposed for new uses. Previously abandoned farmhouses are now being redesigned and rebuilt.

Despite the significant amount of work often needed to clear, renovate and secure the project site, farms can offer many advantages. The first of these is price, which, depending on the state of the building(s) concerned, can be very affordable. Most farmhouses offer plenty of floor area, and some come with several hectares of land. They may also have desirable features, such as exposed roof timbers and wagon doors.So for those looking for a quiet getaway far from the constant noise of the city – somewhere to de-stress by the fire, a farmhouse could be the ideal solution. Some will also see it as an excellent way of reconnecting with nature and distancing themselves from the madding crowd of city life.
Lastly, today’s appetite for digital detox makes farmhouses all the more desirable, and therefore all the more attractive as an investment.

Successfully renovating your farmhouse

The rudimentary levels of comfort offered by old farms can sometimes be daunting. But renovating a farmhouse opens up so many possibilities. Although you could do some of the work yourself, especially if you’re a competent DIYer, it’s often better in the long run to bring in professionals, especially in terms of improving the energy efficiency of these old buildings. Farmhouses can also be renovated to create magnificent loft-style spaces or ultra-contemporary open spaces. The contrast and complementarity of ancient stonework and contemporary materials are infinitely variable!

So whether you want to roll up your own sleeves or buy a farmhouse that has already been renovated, there are a number of important points to consider, including the roof, the foundations, the door and window openings and the frontage. All of these have the potential to tip the balance and require considerable expenditure. And it’s important to remember that some works will require local authority permission.

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#Farmhouse by Espaces Atypiques
Agency Finistère
PONT DE BUIS LES QUIMERCH 29590 236 SQM 673 000 €
Agency Finistère
PLEYBER CHRIST 29410 170 SQM 221 000 €
Agency Le Mans
CERANS FOULLETOURTE 72330 165 SQM 337 000 €
Agency Grenoble
CHASSELAY 38470 272.67 SQM 690 000 €
Agency Villefranche – Beaujolais
SAINT ETIENNE SUR REYSSOUZE 01190 290 SQM 650 000 €
Agency Albi – Castres
LISLE SUR TARN 81310 310 SQM 450 000 €
Agency Lorraine
HETTANGE GRANDE 57330 333 SQM 850 000 €
Ferme comtoise prestigieusement rénovée à 30 minutes de la Suisse
Agency Besançon-Doubs
Agency Bourgogne
ARNAY LE DUC 21230 665 SQM 760 000 €
Agency Finistère
GUERLESQUIN 29650 243 SQM 350 000 €
Agency Pays de Gex
SAINT JEAN DE GONVILLE 01630 307 SQM 1 150 000 €
Agency Besançon-Doubs
Agency Rennes
IFFENDIC 35750 350 SQM 727 000 €
Agency Val d'Oise
Agency ROYAN
Agency Drôme – Ardèche
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