Big decisions

Yesterday, there arrived in the post some details for a lovely stone cottage in Cornwall. It is tiny but has planning permission for a substantial extension. It has half an acre of land which is ample for a few chickens, a massive fruit and veg garden, a polytunnel and a couple of pigs. It has a stone barn, ideal for goats. It is in the middle of nowhere, well, on the edge of the estate belonging to an historical manor. There is a small rent for the land and the property itself is £100,000.

Theoretically, we could sell our current house, pay off the mortgage and buy this house outright, leaving us mortgage free and living in a pokey wreck of a hole. But it would be our pokey wreck of a hole, debt free. We'd have to work part-time to pay daily bills and the small rent. And we'd have to take out a mortgage to do the renovations and build the extension. Which would put us back at square one debt wise. Only in the Cornish countryside (lovely) with some land for growing and stock keeping (lovely) and hopefully a slower, less stressful way of life.

But...the details then went on to say that the rent 'might rise' (meaning definitely will rise) with the completion of the renovation and extension and, with the ground lease having only 20 years remaining, we wouldn't exactly be securing a home for our old age. So, on balance, would this be a good move for us? It depends on your outlook. If you live for the day, then yes, go for it and let tomorrow look after itself. I've already told my children not to expect a big inheritance from me as I intend to spend as much of it as possible on loose living and more cats. And you never know what's around the corner. So half of my brain is saying 'GO, GO, GO!!!'

However, the other half is saying 'WHOAH! Hold your horses, Calamity Jane! Look at what you've got already. A home that is well-buffered from negative equity, an allotment, a garden with chickens and a glorious husband who has such faith in your writing abilities that he's supporting you whilst you try to get published. Why would you want to change this? ARE YOU MAD???'

I'm blowed if I know. I'm going for a lie-down. In the living room. Out of the sight of Mrs Poo, who is still wandering the garden with her acustabbing needles, just waiting for her moment to pounce...