The Truth About Living in a Derelict Cottage in Ireland (Pros & Cons)

This week we're taking an honest look at the hardships and joys of buying cheap property in Ireland. #HomeFor25k

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[DiaryofaDitchWitch]

Also, if everyone watching could remember to hit the 'like' and 'subscribe' buttons just under the video, it means I get paid a few quid to keep making this kind of content. Thank you! 😊

[Adaman]

Brilliant advice. Whilst many cottages in Ireland look lovely from afar. They're definitely not for the faint hearted 😊

[bobikdylan]

You've taken me back fifteen years to when we decided to build a house in a village here in north-east Poland. It was just after Poland joined the EU and everyone with property to sell was waiting for Germans to come along and make them rich. So the market was stagnant. After living with the outlaws for a while we decided that the only option we had was renovating an old wreck or building a house. We bought a bit of land with a terrible old ruin on it. A surveyor said it would cost us as much to renovate it as it would to build a new house, so we did. It's not a palace, just 100m3, and it took us three years and a hundred headaches, but it's ours and we adore it. The street lights go out at eleven, and on a cloudy or moonless night it's black as coal, and silent. Not for everyone, but I love it. The only small concern is that when we get old it will be a problem to move snow and cut grass, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. In time we renovated that original house and use it for guests now.

[growingadventurous]

€1, 750 a month here for a 2 bedroom apartment and an hour and a half commute into Dublin. It's insanity.

[brandyjean]

You are a wise Ditch Witch to encourage folks to research well, before jumping in! The romance of bathing in a pot of hot water heater on the stove: will only last so long.
I moved 1, 000 northward, to be able to obtain some land, and peace, when I retired. Almost 22 yrs later & I still love it. I had carried a compass to guarantee a good/open SW exposure. My orchard & gardens are thriving, because of that wee bit o' wisdom that was gifted to me.
I would wish, that everyone can (with hard work) achieve their dreams.

[niabz]

Isolation is a huge one! I've lived out in the country side all my life in Ireland and in my late 20s now, I'm so bored!! I want to have the best of both, a house out in the country that's only 10 minutes drive from a town so I can dip in and out. The dream.

[Cate]

Sure getting basic services is expensive but that cost adds that value to your property. I love the peace and quiet of the countryside.

[outdoorlass]

A wee thing to take into account is that most banks won't give a mortgage on a derelict or uninhabitable property.

[lisejacquelinerigault]

Thank you so much for this very interesting video. I bought an almost derelict house in France, and, your for and against advice was similar to mine. It took a long time for me on my own to do up the property, but I got there in time (N0 bank loan, just saving as I went along) and it has been worth all the hassle with building planning permission, dodgy builders, cost etc. I chose to live in a tiny village with a bar, a church, a Mairie, a village hall, and 200 inhabitants as I did not want isolation being on my own. The house though is secluded. I live 20 mns from the beaches, and between 3 towns 15mn drive away. Yes, location is very important. There are two train stations also 10mns away that can take me to cities, like Paris, Rennes or Caen. I had one basic liveable room to start with with fire place, table chairs, bed, wardrobe, fridge & cooker. I put raffia floor matting over the cement floor for warmth and bought a state of the art paraffin heater for winter nights as the electrics were not adequate for big consumption. I have one acre of land, garden and orchard. I started by doing the roof, then waited 6 years to have the funds to do a complete rewire and complete water drainage, and install a bathroom, I was using a chemical loo in the meantime and washing in the old sink that was there. I lived in Ireland and always felt very sad that those lovely old cottages were left to rot as they represent the heart and identity of that beautiful country. It can be done.

[SillyMonkeys]

good common sense, fair, I did a little research on the Croi Grant, you defiantly can do the work yourself, but you'll only be able to claim for materials....still its good thought, you'll have to get an electrician and Plummer anyways, so between their costs, and the costs of the materials for yourself, you wont be long going through the 30, 000 / 50, 000 there is a 18 month time limit on doing the work, and you only get the grant when the work is finished.

[dianewatier]

Same horror story here in Quebec, Canada rental prices are ridiculous 😓! Like yourselves I dream of moving to the country. Bon courage mon amie xx.

[pawsation]

This was gold, you touched every concern of mine. This changed my entire viewpoint on this “dream house renovation”. I thought it will be way less expensive to get that old farmhouse and renovate.

[margerykirner]

Country life 😮s the way to go!! No neighbors, no noise private land I love my farmhouse, did her up Tudor style.

[susanelainesanner]

You've presented essential check lists to consider and analyze thoroughly before purchasing land. You did so with authenticity and charm, a challenging combination to master. I think your facts are straight. But I could not listen to that music and you at the same time. I had to mute the video and read the closed caption, which is an unfortunate compromise. Is there any chance, future videos can restrain music to the introduction and to the farewells? I went this route - land, built a cabin, raised a beautiful garden et al - when I was in my late twenties. You know what you're talking about. Excellent video, if the music is lost.

[Grounded_Gravity]

A group of us looked pretty extensively into rehabbing old houses or building on some cheap raw land here in the US and the potential expenses, utilities, and even roadwork needed were nooo joke. Rather than going that route, two of us just bought two houses and invited the rest to come rent there, and honestly, that's been *MUCH* easier. Living out in nature sounds so beautiful, but for now having a huge backyard and a lovely community is holding me over. I'm so glad you're enjoying the country cottage life!

[amandadiamond]

Honestly, it would be incredible just to see Ireland, but I think what you are doing is super cool!

[josievanembden]

We bought a not derepict, but not lived in either, cottage 6 years ago. I agree with you on all points! Personally, id never live anywhere else and love being close to nature and watching the seasons turn, its magic. But! It took us six years to even get a new roof on it - and we did that ourselves 😂 I would add another point too. Many oeople are buying these places but arent prepared for the difference in living standards. It can take years to get the house comfortable and fully dry. I dont think anything compares to the feeling of owning your own, quirky, historic cottage. They deserve to be lived in.
Liked and subsribed in Wexford. Youre brill!

[kencade]

Were just outside of Winnipeg in canada on a small acreage in a mobile home from 1990 we bought for $38000 can funds
After moving it, and building a gravel pad etc we were at about $54000
We renovated, new floors, windows, ikea kitchen, paint, marketplace scores for appliances and bathroom we are around $95000
Built a double garage 24x26 for $25000

Still have to build decks but we have 1148 sq ft of living space.

For we could have built new house but at 720 sq ft no basement.

Of course we had the land. If you get a mobile built after 1986 in Manitoba its easier to insure.
Ours is 2x6 construction, and R40 insulation in the roof.

[CountessChelsea]

Great video Tara! One thing to add when speaking about access to services is internet/mobile phone coverage. The amount of white spots in rural ireland is brutal and it can break your neck if you're planning on working from home.

[MaraElaineOGrady]

Brilliant considerations Tara which I needed to hear as I look myself! Thanks a mil x Hope ye are well up there!