ARTICLE

Buying in North Cornwall

North Cornwall is home to some of the most beautiful, unspoilt coastline in the UK. A million people come here every year for their summer holidays, and with parts of the area charging London prices its no surprise celebrity chef Rick Stein has made his name in Padstow. Other areas like the charming seaside village of Port Isaac, and the laidback surfing town of Bude give the North Cornish coast its unique balance - an ideal place for your first family home.

Buying in North Cornwall

The buyers
Osteopath Vicky and tent designer Graham have been living together for two years in a rented cottage in Kent. After the birth of their little boy Huxley they have decided to make a lifestyle change, swapping the open countryside for a life by the sea. They have enjoyed numerous summer holidays in Cornwall, but are now keen to make it a more permanent home, so their little boy Huxley can enjoy some of the similar experiences they have had.

Both keen surfers, they have high hopes for their new home in Cornwall. They would love to renovate an old barn, or have a house with a farmhouse feel, but it has to be close enough to the sea to catch that early morning surf.

Why North Cornwall?
It's a reality but in the popular areas of Rock, Padstow and Polzeath, the majority of the bargains have already been had - you will be hard pushed to find a family home by the sea for under a million pounds. However, around the North Devon/Cornwall border, coastal properties are around 10% cheaper and enjoy lovely views of Lundy Island.

Read on for Catherine's tips on buying in North Cornwall and our essential contact list...

Catherine's Tips

  • If you are thinking of buying a wreck then you have to do your research as they rarely come on the market and when they do they are sold very quickly. My advice is to keep your ear to the ground locally, and have your finances in place so that you are ready move as soon as something you like comes on the market.

  • With the recent property boom, agents have had a tendency to over-price properties. So check on the various websites that you are not paying too much for your property.


    • The estate agents we used
    Colwills Contact: Richard Beard Tel: 01288 355 828
    Webbers, Bude Contact: John Tel: 01288 353661
    Savills, Truro Contact: Hannah Zygadlo Tel: 01872 243 200

    For a millionaire moment
    Knight Frank, Exeter Tel: 0845 337 4617

    Hotels
    Bangors Organic Tel: 01288 361 297
    The St Enodoc Hotel Tel: 01208 863 394

    Other useful links
    Pasties By The Sea The Peapod (Cornish Pasties)
    Donna & Aimee Tel: 01208 880 223
    Classic Campers Tel: 07971 096518

    Related sections: Fantasy Homes By The Sea

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