'We added more space and bags of personality'

When they had the opportunity to buy their rented bungalow, Louisa Fitch and Andrew Smith could finally put their stamp on it with a full renovation

- Louisa Fitch, Andrew Smith

'Around eight years ago, we wanted to move back to the village where I grew up to be near my dad, and Andrew saw the family of the previous owner clearing out this bungalow,' explains Louisa. 'He approached them and asked what the situation was. The elderly owner was moving into a residential home, and we were able to negotiate moving in at a very agreeable rent.'

The house, however, was in a terrible state, with a condemned oven and large staining on the carpets. So, Andrew and Louisa took the plunge and invested in a budget kitchen and replaced the carpets. 'We took the risk of refurbishing the kitchen for £1,200, picking up sections of units and worktop offcuts from a B&Q sale, which Andrew pieced together in his genius way,' says Louisa. If the rental had only lasted a short time, it would have been a big investment, but they continued to rent the house for seven years. When the previous owner sadly died, the family asked if we wanted to buy it, but they wanted cash, and fast.

Luckily, my best friend, who I met at the village school when I was four, had just sold her house and generously lent us the money,' says Louisa, who was happy to be able to stay in the home, and area, they had grown to love. 'It feels like everyone in the village looks out for your child. The quality of life here is so good and the properties are very sought after. I wanted the children to community I grew up grow up in the lovely in, with countryside all around.'