’I'd been living in my one-bedroom flat in Surrey for 15 years,’ says Carly Stairs, ‘as I didn't think I could afford a house by myself.’ But after getting her flat valued, Carly realised that its increase in value meant she could get something bigger. Her flat sold on the day it was put on the market, so Carly was on a mission to find her next home.
‘I had originally dismissed this place because I knew I'd want to change the kitchen and that just wasn't in my budget. But then the owners reduced the price, and that freed up extra funds, so I went for it,’ says Carly. However, her offer was accepted the day before the first lockdown was announced, so her
