It can be very tricky getting onto the property ladder or finding the perfect house for you, but you can make life a little easier for yourself if you decide to invest in a derelict property, a fixer-upper that you can renovate and bring back to life as you see fit.

Of course, this is no mean feat and you will need to be properly prepared for a lot of hard work, but it can also be an incredibly rewarding experience and one that you’ll remember for the rest of your life.

And who knows what you might uncover when you do start the renovation work - you might have a whole host of hidden period features to discover, for example.

Once you find a house you’re interested in, make sure you have a surveyor give it a thorough going over before you buy, so you know there aren’t any problems that could prove expensive, such as asbestos, subsidence, damp and so on. Knowledge is power, so make sure you have all the information you need before you make a final decision.

If you are lucky enough to have a property with lots of historic period features, it would perhaps be wise to do your best to restore them properly and bring them back to life.

These can look especially beautiful standing out in a contemporary design scheme so just because something seems dated, don’t feel that the best course of action is to just get rid of it. They serve as inbuilt focal points in your rooms and will always be a real talking point for guests.

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