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A young couple who bought a 120-year-old derelict mansion by accident can finally move into their new home.
Cal Hunter and Claire Segeren thought they were buying a flat in Glasgow four years ago, but a lot numbers mix-up meant they actually ended up paying £10,000 for Jameswood Villa – an uninhabitable property in Dunoon (an hour and a half's drive away).
The pair decided to keep the property and renovate it themselves, and even appeared on BBC One Scotland show Accidental Renovators, reports the Daily Record.
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Jameswood Villa had lain empty for more than 30 years. The foundations needed repairing, a new roof needed to be installed, masonry above a bay window had collapsed and all the timber works inside the 19th century building were rotten.
The couple ignored expert advice to demolish the house and decided to sustainably bring it back to life instead – despite never having renovated before and with just £10,000 in the bank.
They decided to live in a caravan in the grounds while they undertook the first challenges, including clearing the huge amount of debris in the building and making the structure secure by raising the roof.
And now they have confirmed their house has finally been signed off by inspectors – after a four year renovation. Sharing the news on social media, they said: "The Inspectors have SIGNED US OFF!!! We can officially – legally – live in Jameswood and call her our home.
"We have had many moments of joy throughout this project, and likely an equal amount tears – but these have been my first tears of joy. It was such an overwhelming and exciting moment for us."
The couple are planning on turning the property into a holiday rental, with bookings to open on Sunday, July 16, and availability from mid-August this year.
The couple continued: "With this sign-off, we can also, soon, welcome you to our home. We will be opening up our holiday rentals' booking website on Sunday, with availability starting mid-August! We have loads to do to get everything ready for visitors, but we're excited to share with you our furnishing and finishing process over the next few weeks.
"When we started this journey, I had no idea of the immensity of the task we were about to take on (that naivety was probably for the best, in some ways!) I had no idea of how powerful and life changing this journey would be for us. We have learned so much, about each other, ourselves. And restoring houses. We've grown up in this time, we've learned how to problem solve, face challenges and just get on with it. We have made lifelong friendships, and become a part of amazing communities, both locally, and globally, online.
"From the bottom of our hearts, and with our deepest sincerity, thank you. Thank you for joining us on our adventure, for supporting us at every step of the way. For every "well done" that has kept us going. Your support has made an immense difference to us, and it has been a privilege to share this journey with you all.
"This isn't the end – we will share as we tackle our garden projects, and finish our our apartment, which has taken a seat on the back burner in the name of our holiday rentals. And though we don't know what lies beyond this journey, I am sure we will soon have new exciting adventures unfold, of which we welcome you to join us on."
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- Property
- Scotland
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