After 28 years mostly renting in Hong Kong, this Englishman wanted his ‘castle’, but buying a village home in the UK wasn’t easy

After renting in Hong Kong, buying a house in rural England seemed appealing. But property isn’t cheap there, and patience and persistence were required
Agents suggesting you ‘put your stamp’ on a house means repairs are needed, and with a home comes responsibility. But getting a place in a village feels good

Cliff Buddle

Published: 2:15pm, 25 Feb 2023

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An Englishman’s home is his castle, it is said. I can’t afford a castle, but a home of my own would be nice.

Most of my time in Hong Kong was spent in rental accommodation. My last landlady was very nice and even bought us cakes when we left. But most places started to fall apart after a year and the only way to get one in decent shape was to move. I lived in 12 flats in 28 years.

The prospect of buying a home on returning to Britain was, therefore, appealing. Property here is not cheap, but it is generally less expensive than in Hong Kong.

I arrived last August, when British house prices were at a record high. There had been a boom in rural Kent, where I live. During the pandemic, people left London and moved to the countryside. It was known as “the race for more space”, as working from home took hold.

Bodiam Castle, a 14th-century medieval fortress with a moat and towers in East Sussex, England. An Englishman’s home is his castle, it is said. Photo: Shutterstock

In the early days, as Covid-19 spread rapidly in the city, rural areas offered greater safety. One property agent told me buyers would offer £25,000 above the asking price “before they had even seen upstairs”.

My wife and I viewed about 40 properties in the £800k-£850k (US$970,000-US$1 million) price range. There was something wrong with all of them. They were either on a busy road or needed lots of work.

A house for sale in Tideswell, in England’s rural Peak District. In the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic there was a flight from cities including London. Photo: Getty Images

Agents would say, “You can put your stamp on it,” meaning, “It’s a bit of a wreck and you will need to spend a fortune to make it habitable.” Some had a lovely view across a field – which is about to be turned into a housing estate.

Just as we were about to give up, we found our dream home. It has four bedrooms, a nice garden, sits in a beautiful village and at £950,000 costs less than the price of the Discovery Bay flats I used to rent.

We endured a nervous wait of more than three months before contracts were exchanged. During that period either side could withdraw without penalty.

A four-bedroom home in a village in southern England turned out cheaper than the apartments the writer and his family used to rent in Hong Kong’s Discovery Bay neighbourhood (above). Photo: Roy Issa

It is not the best time to buy. Prices have fallen for five consecutive months and are predicted to plunge in the year ahead. Sitting tight would make sense. But, much as I have enjoyed our rented holiday cottage, it is time for something more permanent.

The home comes with responsibilities. I won’t be so fond of those trees in the garden if one of them falls on my house. I’ve had to negotiate village development plans, environmental risks, stamp duty and the surveyor’s report.

All being well, I will move into my “castle” next month. Only then will I discover whether this city boy enjoys village life.