The best uses for your French outbuildings
Outbuildings are gaining popularity over years, more and more property hunters only seek property with outbuildings. Actually they are essentially looking for outbuildings with the potential for conversion such as barns for example. Then they convert them into various things: office, gym, home cinemas, gite, party room etc…
The example of converted barns:
Barns are particularly appreciated as they offer multiple forms of conversion. Barn conversions are motivated either for entertaining reasons (creating a gym, a playroom…) or to create a home office. Since the emergence of technologies, numerous UK citizens prefer to work from home.
Converting outbuildings is a long and arduous process even though some laws have been made to facilitate the conversion of barn. The fact is that some outbuildings are in poor shape and all the renovation work can cost a fortune. Therefore, more and more buyers become reluctant to purchase house with outbuildings in poor condition. If your French property has a listed outbuilding you will find hard to get the permission to start any renovation work.
Convertible outbuildings give your house more potential as you can transform them into whatever you want but it also has a another advantage: it increases your property value.
Reversible conversions and multi-uses outbuildings:
.
It is however important for you to not create too many outbuildings since most of buyers are looking for 1 or 2 barns maximum. You need to think about potential future resale and adapt your house to what house hunters will be after.
One solution to be sure to not disappoint home buyers is to create “reversible conversions”. A reversible conversion means that the current use of the outbuilding isn’t definitive and can easily be changed. For example, if you use your outbuilding as a playroom some buyers maybe would like to transform it into a small office. As a result your outbuildings need to be easily convertible.
Nevertheless, the best solution for both in terms of practical reasons and cost saving is to have multi-uses outbuildings: a game room which is also a party room, a home cinema etc… Combining different uses in a single outbuilding is a massive asset. Nowadays creating party barns alongside play rooms are particularly popular because it permits to organize dinner, parties on the ground floor and allow children to have fun on the first floor in the game room for example. The fact is that parents appreciate having playroom for their children and having some entertainment in another room nearby.
With the emergence of new technologies, people tend to adopt a modern style in their outbuildings renovation. British buyers are especially fond of home cinemas, these days you can also find them in barns.
On one hand, it is enjoyable to have high technologies even in the country house but on the other hand, doesn’t it kill the charm of your property? Some might think so since untouched outbuilding can add simple beauty, charm and character that none of the new technologies will.
For example this French property in Brittany (ref 21527) is full of charm and comes with outbuildings. If you are more attracted to barns, this French property in Aquitaine (ref 28382) might interest you.
Top ranked outbuildings for British buyers:
Most fashionable
Gym
Party room
Mostuseful
Guest accommodation
Play room
Most sought-after
Home office
Games room/home cinema
Most lucrative
Holiday cottages
Long-term lets
Most affordable
Home cinema
Most expensive
Indoor swimming pool