TWO derelict ‘neglected’ properties in Orford have had spectacular face-lifts and are now unrecognisable as they are put back up on the market.
Numbers 24 and 26 Orford Green were left empty and unused for nearing on 30 years before local housing developers Moses Eliot snatched them up as a cash buy with a vision of transforming them last year.
A large electrical fire broke out on the first floor at number 26 last November, destroying much of the housing structure and several fire crews attended to control the blaze.
Director of Moses Eliot, Ste Moses, said the previous owner of the house was a hoarder and so the house was full head to toe with clutter.
“The fire brigade smashed the front windows and threw everything outside.”
Mounds of rubbish and belongings from the house were piled in the front garden when Ste came to purchase the property, along with boarded-up and burnt-out windows and burn damage all through the house.
"The owner could not understand why I wanted to buy it."
Shocking pictures show the level of clutter that filled every room on both floors, with one room stacked high with DVD’s and CD’s.
Fire damage was visible in almost every room of the property, with blackened walls and ceiling joists hanging down and exposing the loft area to one bedroom.
Adding to the endless list of problems, Ste said the bathroom tap had been left running for years leading to a huge leak that flowed through to the ground floor.
Coincidentally the neighbouring house, number 24, was also empty with no occupants, left neglected for decades.
The developers had been chasing the owners to purchase both properties for a long time, but the turning point came after the house fire last year and both owners agreed to sell to them for a cash offer.
The projects were both extensive with everything having to be replaced.
“The timber structures on the walls were the only thing that has not been replaced. Everything else has been done,” Ste said. “It has been our biggest spend so far, we have spent £200,000 in total.”
Work carried out on the project included new roofs, windows and doors and both homes had the kitchens and diners knocked through and stylish French doors installed.
All new fencing and outside lighting have refreshed the gardens, meanwhile inside, new kitchens have also been installed with Bosch appliances, built-in fridge freezers, dishwashers, ovens, hobs and extractors, as well as under counter lighting.
Lavish karndean flooring has been laid throughout and new fresh carpets have been laid upstairs.
Modern details have been added to upgrade the properties including oak cottage doors and light-up mirrors.
New boilers and gas central heating have been installed in both homes and the lofts have been fully insulated.
Lead architect for the project, Grant Erskine, gave an insight into his and the developers goals for the properties.
"All to often, phrases like "environmental" and "sustainability" are thrown around a development, with little more than a hat tip give to them in actual effect, but with these properties, it is at the very heart of the scheme," he said.
"We have always maintained that the most environmental approach is to make use of the existing fabric, further reducing lifetime carbon footprint and coupled with the various thermal enhancements, the developer can bring back into the market two comfortable family homes in the existing houses."
The founder of Grant Erskine Architects Ltd said the internal changes to the layouts of the properties, the team have been able to open up the land situated next to Number 24 for further potential developments.
42-year-old property developer, Ste, from Appleton, found several gems that were left along with property 26 including two antique cars.
“The owners left a VW campervan. It was absolutely rotten, I sold it for £800 and the owner has refurbed it. It looks amazing.
“There was also a 1972 Lada Estate car. I sold that to a Russian collector. It has been a mad project,” he added.
Contractors have finished the extensive building work which began in March, and the properties look unrecognisable to their old warn shells. They will be put on the market next week for offers over £250,000.
Ste first began Moses Eliot in 2017, having always had an interest in flipping homes.
“We look for long term empty stuff, problem properties where they need to get something done,” he said.
“We look to go direct to vendor, and we always buy cash. We can usually complete within a couple of weeks and we pay all the legal fees.”
Ste’s first experience of property development was a home he bought in Newton-le-Willows when he was 18, which he ‘spent thousands’ refurbishing.
But since starting the company, Ste has learnt the ropes and works on two or three housing projects a year as well as buying and selling houses in auctions.
Ste added that the firm is always on the search for more diamonds in the rough, saying “If anyone sees anything that is empty, please call us on 07512127693 and speak to me.
“We will give a £1,000 finder's fee.”
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