We looked at so many properties, but which one is right for us?
House hunting is always a rollercoaster of emotions – excitement, frustration, hope, and sometimes disappointment. 🏡 Our property search journey in Ireland has been no exception, filled with unexpected twists and turns that ultimately led us to our perfect match.
The Vision vs. Reality
When we first arrived in Bannow, we had a clear vision.
We wanted a turn key property as we didn’t want to go through what we did in our Ashtead, Surrey home which took 14 years to get to the finish we both loved.
So we viewed countless properties across the south-east Wexford and up to Gorey in Wexford.
Each viewing taught us something new about Irish property, planning regulations, and the realities of finding the perfect home in a rural setting.
The 1930s Dormer: Almost The One
But, that changed when we saw the 1930s Dormer, it needed a lot of work, a complete renovation in my eyes was needed, but the location… WOW!
For the longest while, we thought we’d found “the one” – a charming 1930s dormer property in Wellington Bridge with tons of potential.
We made an offer, had structural surveys done, and began planning what would have been an extensive renovation project to transform it into our eco-haven.
But sometimes life has other plans…
When The Unexpected Captures Your Heart
Just as we were deep into planning the dormer renovation, we happened to view a property that would completely change our direction.
From the moment we drove up the winding gravel driveway, we were captivated.
This stunning detached home, built in 2009 and set on 1.95 acres of mature land, offered everything we needed but in a completely unexpected package.
Rather than a character-filled property needing extensive work, here was a beautifully finished home that already embodied many of the qualities we were seeking.
As we walked through the property, taking in the bespoke Paul Sweeney kitchen, the solid wood doors, the Villeroy & Boch bathrooms, and the beautifully proportioned rooms, we began to see our eco journey from a completely different perspective.
Pivoting Our Plans
The revelation hit us: what if, instead of spending years on basic renovations, we could immediately focus on implementing advanced sustainable technologies and creating our eco-friendly lifestyle?
The Rock Lane already had excellent energy credentials with a B1 BER rating and solar panels for water heating. The structure was sound, the layout perfect, and the setting – surrounded by trees, views, and birdsong – was simply magical.
We realised that this turnkey property could be the perfect canvas for our sustainability goals:
- Converting from oil heating to a modern heat pump system
- Installing a substantial battery wall
- Expanding the solar capabilities beyond just water heating
- Creating a productive permaculture garden on the mature grounds
- Implementing water conservation systems throughout the property
The Decision That Changed Everything
After careful consideration, we made the bold decision to pivot from our original plan. We withdrew our offer on the 1930s dormer and instead set our sights on this turnkey property.
The negotiation process was smoother than we expected – perhaps another sign that this was meant to be. Before we knew it, we were signing contracts and planning our move to Carrickbyrne.
Sometimes the perfect property finds you when you least expect it!
Our search journey has taught us the importance of remaining open to possibilities that might not match your initial vision but could ultimately be a better fit for your goals.
We couldn’t be more excited about transforming The Rock Lane into our sustainable sanctuary.