A charming but dilapidated Welsh cottage offering land and outbuildings tucked away on the top of a hillside in the heart of the south Wales valleys caused a bidding war when it went to auction.
The property called Caeau Meinion Farm, in Bedwellty, near Blackwood in the county of Caerphilly, Gwent, had a guide price of £145,000 and was in need of a complete renovation project to bring it back to life.
Before the bidding began Sean Roper, of Paul Fosh Auctions, said: "This truly is a very rare opportunity to acquire a Welsh longhouse with land and outbuildings and land of approximately 0.7 acres."
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"The property will require full modernisation but once completed could be an ideal family home or may offer scope for redevelopment of the site, subject to necessary planning."
And a group of keen online bidders certainly agreed with Paul Roper, the fact that the rural property needs far more than a bit of modernisation didn't deter bidders from vying to own the rare property.
Mr Roper said: "There was a degree of determination among the bidders for this wonderful piece of rural Welsh history. These Welsh longhouse properties, in this relatively original and in an 'unmessed up' condition, don't come along very often so when they do the competition from those in the know to land the prize, is going to be quite intense."
Seven bidders fought it out online, producing a total of 37 bids with the virtual hammer falling eventually at the price of £226,000, more than £81,000 over the guide price.
The new owner who managed to outbid their rivals, and their plans for the property, is currently unknown but Paul thinks he can guess why it was so popular with bidders, offering a change of lifestyle.
He says: "I'd say this property suits someone looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of town or city life, and those looking for land for small livestock or agricultural use or even to release the potential for a holiday let business, subject to necessary planning."
Before any work begins to transform the site the cottage currently offers an entrance porch, storage and kitchen, and three inter-connecting reception rooms on the ground floor.
On the first floor there is attic space which was in the past used as a bedroom and outside there are garden areas to front and rear and land with outbuildings including stables and storage unit.
The property and land oozes potential but, as yet, its future is unclear but maybe soon it will begin the next chapter in its life in the Valleys.
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