Plot Next Door to Second Purchase With Old House

I have to admit to doing what I always advise others never to do - buy blind!

I had not actually visited this property before purchasing it but I knew exactly where it was and had a rough idea of what was there - it is the next door plot to my second purchase and so when this came up for sale at just short of 7,000 Euros I thought I would regret it later if I did not buy it, even if a little overpriced. 

The plot is around 1,300sqm and the house is solid, but dilapidated with a large room and central large hall on each floor plus cellar type room.

January 2007: 6 months after purchasing this house, I finally got the chance to have a good look round today. And am pleasantly surprised. House needs a lot of work but not as bad as I thought it would be and much larger plot. There is summer kitchen, although roof has started to collapse, then a decent sized basement and then the ground floor has a large hall, one large room and a small room ideal for shower. Second floor has similar layout. External stairs so may make two nice small apartments to rent out. Made sure electic and water all off. 

Large attached barn and little outbuildings and fair amount of land.

I have no current plans to do anything with this plot except maybe clear it and tidy it up over the summer. 

June 2011: Pretty much first time inspecting this in 3 years. We had to hack our way in and fight through very overgrown vines to even find the house but overall, apart from downstairs hall being used by birds as a nesting area, the upstairs is in good condition and dry and secure. The next door neighbour came to see what was going on, disappeared and then as we were inspecting the house, we heard a chainsaw start up and went back to find him cutting down trees and clearing a path to the house. 

We intend to clear the plot and slowly do work on this over the next few years, maybe for rent in the future or for resale many years down the line. It is a long term project and something to keep us busy.