Esh Village mum seeks a home exchange as sale drags

Jul 25 2009 by Tom Mullen, The Journal

FRUSTRATED with the faltering property market, an innovative house hunter wants to swap her £330,000 country home for a new one.

Hilary Phillips came up with the idea after being unable to sell over the last year, and has now decided to cut out estate agents and other middlemen.

Set in a County Durham village, her four-bedroom 1970s detached home comes complete with a private green, en suite bathroom and a classic Juliet balcony overlooking more than half an acre of gardens.

It has been home to the Phillips family for more than 20 years but now they have decided to move to be closer to family in Northumberland.

However, with confidence in the recession-plagued housing market at an all time low, Mrs Phillips has not been able to strike a deal since putting the house up for sale 12 months ago.

She is now appealing for anyone with a house of similar value in North Northumberland – preferably by the coast – to do an exchange. The council worker, of Esh Village, just outside Durham City, said: “It just seems to make sense. I know exactly where I want to go so why not?

“I thought it’s one way of tackling the credit crunch. No one is looking to buy at the moment, so perhaps by advertising the house myself I will have more luck.

“I’m looking for somewhere of similar value. If there’s a small difference then we can always talk and come to some arrangement.”