Property extra To the manor born
Your chance to own a little part of historic landmark... see page 17
Doing it yourself? What you need to know
Colin and Justin give the flat-pack a makeover
OFFERS 2.4m Decking Boards 4” wide
Modern Black Laminate
£8.99m
2
2.4m packs £21.57 per pack 2
Prices include vat
DIYclick2buy.com
now
£2.40 each
V Groove Oak Pecam Laminate 2.22m2 now £13.30 per pack
5”Oiled Oak
engineered wood flooring 120mmx15mm now £24.99m2
Tel: 0151 207 7488
Heavy Duty Fencing Panels £20 each 6x5. Fullytreated
2.4m 5” Decking £3.00 each
Denbigh St L5 (Off Great Howard St)
15
James Kristian
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Sales
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The Property Specialists
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Longfield Road, L21
Detached House ● 4 Bedrooms Modern Kitchen ● En Suite Gardens Front & Rear ● Garage EPC Rating C
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Management
Well Lane Gardens, L20
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Town House ● 3 Bedrooms Modern Kitchen Modern Bathroom Suite Rear Garden ● No Chain
Knowsley Road, L20
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Town House ● 3 Bedrooms 3 Reception Rooms Modern Kitchen Extended Bathroom ● No Chain
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Clare Road, L20
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Terrace House ● 3 Bedrooms 2 Reception Rooms Modern Kitchen No Chain
£156,950
OIRO £99,995
OIRO £95,000
OIRO £72,500
Clarendon Road, L21
Trinity Road, L20
Ford Lane, L21
Collins Close, L20
End Terrace House 2 Bedrooms ● Modern Kitchen DG/GCH No Chain
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Mid Terrrace House 3 Bedrooms ● DG/GCH No Chain
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Boswell Street, L20
Viola Street, L20
Nansen Grove, L4
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Ground Floor Apartment 2 Bedrooms ● DG/GCH No Chain EPC Rating: D
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Mid Terrace House 3 Bedrooms ● DG/GCH Recently Refurbished
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Mid Terrace House 2 Bedrooms Recently Refurbished
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Mid Terrace House 2 Bedrooms Recently Refurbished
£35,000
£500 pm
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Alpha Street, L20
Hicks Road, L22
Olivia Street, L20
Hornby Flats, L21
End Terrace House 2 Bedrooms DG/GCH
£450 pm
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Ground Floor Apartment 1 Bedroom Recently Refurbished
£450 pm
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Mid Terrace House 2 Bedrooms Recently Refurbished
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£400 pm
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1115862
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BUYING GUIDE
Pull on the Barbour and survey the estate
By Janet Tansley
E
LEGANT living this definitely is... the Clive Watkin Partnership is offering for sale this three bedroom apartment in a luxury development in Willaston. The apartment forms part of The Lydiate development in Birkenhead Road and is on the market at £399,500. The Lydiate is a wonderful development of nine apartments and seven houses created from the conversion of a mid-19th century, Grade II-listed country house, stables and outbuildings. It is set in 12 acres of landscaped grounds and gardens, including hard tennis court, fruittree maze, parkland and a small lake, which make it truly a desirable address. This spacious, three bedroom apartment includes some of the principal rooms from the original house, including a stunning oakpanelled drawing room. There are three good-sized bedrooms, one of which is currently used as a dressing room, and two beautifully fitted bathrooms. Intercom-controlled access leads to the communal entrance and oak pannelled hall and, in turn, to the front door of the apartment. Inside, there is a long reception hall with oak flooring and three side windows. There is a cloakroom with a suite in white with chrome fittings, comprising a wc with concealed cistern and wash basin in a travertine and oak wash stand, a tiled floor, heated towel rail, wall-mounted mirror and down lighters. The drawing room has a deep, square bay window. This magnificent room has oak panelling with carved features over the fireplace and a stone fire recess with brick-lined hearth. The kitchen/breakfast room is fitted with a range of units in a
■ When you move into The Lydiate, Birkenhead Road, Willaston, you get so much more than just a stunning apartment medium oak finish with central island unit, block beech work surfaces, one-and-a-half bowl sink, integrated oven and hob, microwave, integrated refrigerator, freezer and dishwasher, part-tiled walls and tiled floor. A rear porch provides useful coat and boot storage. The master bedroom has two
windows and French doors and benefits from an en-suite bathroom, with 'over flow' bath, with mood lighting and spa, large shower cubicle, twin wash basins in granite, a wash stand, wc, parttiled walls and a tiled floor. Bedroom two has fitted bedroom furniture including wardrobes and a chest of drawers, and the spacious third bedroom,
currently used as a dressing room, also boats fitted wardrobes, a chest of drawers and shelving. There is a bathroom accessed from bedrooms two and three and fitted with a white suite with chrome fittings and having a spa bath with shower over, wash basin and wc, part-tiled walls and tiled floor, and a heated towel rail.
The basement to The Lydiate provides dedicated storage space for each of the apartments. ■ For further information on this – and other properties for sale within the development – contact The Clive Watkin Partnership on 0151 386 2211 or log onto www.clivewatkin.com
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121 Brookfield Drive, Aintree Liverpool L9 7AJ Or CALL: 0151 525 1166 (Day) 0151 548 5052 (Eve) Or visit us online: www.manhattanblindsltd.co.uk 17
HOMES
REJUVENATE your tired terrace by filling it with smart outdoor sitting room furniture. With fingers crossed for the right kind of weather, this might just be a summer of patio love.
SCRIMP
Morley Rattan Coffee Set, £249 From B&Q, www.diy.com PERFECT for a smaller space, this weather resistant rattan-effect set includes a coffee table, sofa and two armchairs with cushions. The colour scheme and curves make it a modern purchase.
SPEND
Keter Modus Rattan Effect Lounge Set £299 From Tesco, www.tesco.com THIS self-assembly set can be configured as a four-person settee, a two-person settee and two chairs, a day bed or four single chairs. The faux wicker is weather and fade resistant.
Reshuffle your cabinet Transform a bland, flat-pack cabinet with wood-effect styling and accessories. With our top tips, you can create maximum impact for minimum outlay and the final result will be simply tree-mendous.
Before
T
SPLURGE
AKE one £95 flat–pack cabinet, add some wood–effect worktop and lavish with self–adhesive décor film for a unique nature-inspired piece that really stands out.
Bahia Modus Sofa Set £439 From Feature Deco, www.featuredeco.co.uk SMART enough for patio or conservatory, this smart rattan-style set comes with two armchairs, a sofa, cushions, a table and glass top, so it's a perfect outdoor living room in one purchase.
with Colin & Justin
Yes, Malm WE nipped into Ikea and picked up a flat–pack Malm six–drawer cabinet. We then cut three sections of Numerar kitchen worktop and secured these to the sides and top with contact adhesive. Next, we drilled each door to accommodate Lansa steel handles. Let your imagination go crazy and create the personal home that you've always dreamed of. All items from Ikea www.ikea.com
■ Building up all the wood–effect features creates an urban barn style
IKEA employs 123,000 people in 25 countries 18
come together to create a bigger picture. We knew we’d be creating a timber look for the dresser, so we went shopping for woody wallpaper that would complement it. Get the look with the wood–effect range of wallpapers, from £19.97, at www.your4walls.co.uk
decided to make ours with timber wood shims. Shims are small wedges of wood used to straighten up doors when hanging. We found that staggering the height of seven pieces created an art deco–shaped ray–of–sun arm and these, when arranged around an A burst of brilliance MDF ring, were SUNBURST mirrors are glued into place to dramatic – Louis form a full sun. ■ Colin and XIVinspired classic pieces We then left our Justin’s mirror that look great in hallways, project to dry before over fireplaces or in a adding a smaller mirror Piece it together bedroom. The large ones tend to glued to the reverse of a dinner APPROACH room design like a be on the pricey side so we plate. Talk about making it your jigsaw puzzle – where pieces own. Ask your local woodyard about shims, or you can find them on Check out all that’s new, fresh and fabulous in our world at eBay – www.ebay.co.uk www.colinandjustin.tv and on Twitter @colinjustin
No bubbles, no troubles WE added “timber” to each drawer but, rather than limit ourselves to one wood type, we used six. Try to balance dark and light woods to provide contrast and it works best if all the wood grains go in the same direction. We used Panyl off–the–shelf adhesive from the US – www.panyl.com. Their custom–cut sections fit most Ikea pieces and are easy to apply. When you add cost plus shipping, you'll see how affordable it actually is.
After
Kitchen
Bedroom
IF you're prepared to do the legwork, the discounts really add up at www.diy-kitchens .comExpect to pay around £2,500 for an average kitchen, saving up to £1,800 on a comparable kitchen from the big-name DIY stores. The Kitchen Discount Centre (www.kdcuk.co.uk), above, also has a huge range of contemporary and traditional kitchens, all about 30 per cent cheaper than the high street. Customer service is excellent and they deliver and install nationwide. Appliances Online (www.appliancesonline.co.uk) boasts an inventory of more than 4,000 appliances. The smart shopper does research at local stores where it's possible to see the goods, then compares prices online, where it will be cheaper. Expect to pay around £59 for an induction hob.
ANDERSON Bradshaw (www.anderson bradshaw.co.uk) offers incredibly priced mahogany furniture from its store on the south coast... everything from beds to boxes at about 60 per cent less than the high street. Pay just £362.70 for a gorgeous French sleigh bed, right. Love Carpets (www.lovecarpet.co.uk) is a great source of well-priced carpets. You can order any number of samples, they claim never to be beaten on price and they can hook you up with a local fitter too. A Place for Everything (www.aplaceforeverything.co.uk) is just what the name suggests – a site full of stylish home storage solutions from just a few pounds. Nationwide delivery and great choice too, including a faux-leather storage box/side table for £39.
Bathroom
Got room for a bargain?
www.feet-international.com is a great find... a warehouse in south east London with designer bathware up to 70% less than the high street. One of their best sellers is a steel bath for £130. Better Bathrooms (www.betterbathrooms.com) is the UK's largest independent bathroom retailer with nationwide delivery and a fantastic selection of bathware and bathroom suites from just £82.95. Knowledgeable staff offer excellent advice, too. Sinks-Taps (www.sinks-taps.com) is an online gem offering sink and tap combos from just £59, nationwide delivery and more than 6,000 products. Elsewhere, King of Cotton (www.kingofcotton.co.uk) mainly sell to the trade but you can buy too. There's a big selection of hotel-quality towels, right, and bathrobes from just a few pounds. Bath towels from £4.90.
Living Room
YOU can find some major bargains in out-of town furniture barns like Trade Secret (www.trade-secret.co.uk). This Oxfordshire firm sells cancelled orders from big department stores for half the normal price (you have to sign up for free to see the products). It's strong on coffee tables, occasional furniture and storage. Made.com (www.made.com) imports directly from the manufacturer with no pricey showrooms or coiffed salesmen. So they sell a two-drawer Bourbon chest for £199 when similar styles on the high street go for £399. Cushions Online (www.cushionsonline.co.uk) provide thousands of shapes and designs of cushions, below, and covers from just £5, while Modern Rugs (www.modern-rugs .co.uk) offer a huge selection of plain, patterned and designer rugs from £25 with a guarantee to beat any price by £5 if it's cheaper elsewhere.
Best deals for every part of your house
SOFA
SALE
ND FABRIC SUITES • SOFABEDS C O R N E R S O F A S • R E C L I N E R S • T O P Q U A L I T Y L E AT H E R A 3+2 Clarissa
3+2 Contessa
NOW
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was £1499
was £1999
3+2 Jenson was £1799
NOW
£999
£999
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3+1+1 Winston
3+1+1 Georgina
3+1+1 Deena
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was £1399
£999 23 Kempston Street, City Centre, Liverpool, L3 8NG (we’re behind TJ Hughes)
Mon - Sat 10am - 5pm /Sun Closed
was £1499
was £1699
£999
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Century SOFAS
OLD SOFA REMOVASL T SUPERFA DELIVERY SOFAS FROM £199
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www.centurysofas.co.uk 19
GARDENS
TO DO
Sky’s limit for roof gardens WE ventured up on to our green roof with the help of a very long ladder. This is the roof on top of our shed which has a good depth of soil and an amazing, experimental mix of plants. After a full year to see what thrives, it seems we made reasonable choices. Many were chosen because they or their forebears come from exposed, windy sites. Sea hollies, eryngiums, with prickly steely blue flower heads, are typical of the sort of plants that do well. Less obvious are agapanthus, with heads of delightful lily-like flowers. We're used to seeing them in containers but up here on this sunny, wind-blown roof, conditions are similar to those in the mountains of South Africa where most agapanthus come from. Geraniums galore join in and, again, those that do best are from sunny, well-drained places. Last year, on one programme for Gardeners' World, we visited Walney Island off the Cumbrian coast and saw Geranium sanguineum striatum on the dunes. This is the only place, apart from our gardens and my roof, that the plant is found. White clover has decided to spread. Most plants have not only survived, but increased. So it's time for a bit of housekeeping – cutting back all last year's growth. In most cases this can be done with a pair of sharp shears because the new growth is so short.
With Carol Klein of TV’s Gardeners’ World
Daffs bring
A
T last – it's daffodil time! Everywhere you look there are sheets of yellow beneath trees, in parks, gardens and road verges. Where we live, the wild daffodil, Narcissus pseudonarcissus, grows in profusion along the riverbanks, its chrome yellow trumpets surrounded by pale primrose outer petals. Though it is only 8in high, the impact it creates is dramatic. As gardeners we can learn a lot about the most effective use of daffodils from studying the way the native plant puts itself about – not in straight lines but in great swathes. Many of the smaller hybrid daffodils that we incorporate into our gardens have much in common with Narcissus pseudonarcissus. And who could help but admire the pale lemon blooms of W.P. Milner, which nods gently on a spring day in the
Finally the nation's most iconic plant is out in force to set parks and riversides alight with their special dramatic displays garden here at Glebe Cottage? We grow it in a long border that runs down the side of the top part of the garden where, at this time of year, it is the only plant in flower – apart from a few clumps of deep blue pulmonaria. Since it is closely related to the native plant, it loves the same conditions. In a garden setting it does well among shrubs and under trees. Naturalised in verdant grass, it might give up the ghost. N. Jenny, a triandrous hybrid – that is, one with three stamens – has great charm. Its slender, pale lemon trumpets fade to white. Narcissus Hawera, is even
daintier and fares best in a trough, rock garden or a special corner in the front of a border. Its flowers are flat with a short trumpet. Each slender stem supports two or three flowers and the foliage is totally in keeping with the narrow, waxy leaves. Clumps often increase year on year, their pretty pale flowers mingling well with pale blue pulmonarias or scattered around emerging ferns.
Another group of dainty daffodils are those descended from the jonquil, Narcissus jonquilla. Most have vivid yellow flowers with small cups, fine, rush-like foliage and a sweet fragrance. The species comes from sunny hillsides in Portugal, Spain and North Africa and needs plenty of sunshine to ripen its bulbs. Last autumn we planted the doubleflowered form, Narcissus jonquilla Flore Pleno, in the beds of our brick garden. This is the hottest part of the plot, open and exposed with brick paths that soak up the heat. Another daffodil from the same part of the world that is found growing in damp meadows in the mountains is Narcissus cyclamineus. To see hosts of these pretty flowers naturalised in grass is to sample one of the most enjoyable sights of spring. But this is no sit-up-andtake-notice spectacle.
■ Daffodils are one of Britain’s most common sights, but the variety of species, inset, mean that they are always a welcome one when spring arrives
■ Agapanthus has managed to thrive in Carol’s roof garden WITH the spate of warmer weather, all the celandines in and around the garden have burst into flower. There are all sorts of hybrids that have made themselves – some with dark, beautifully polished leaves and brilliant yellow lacquered flowers. I'm marking the extra-special plants so that when they fizzle I can propagate the best ones from their strange, rhizomatous roots. ■ Carol is on Gardeners' World on BBC2 at 8.30pm on Fridays.
Narciclasine, a compound in daffodil bulbs, may be therapeutic in treating brain cancer 20
on spring This is a dainty little narcissus, its perianth drawn back, continuing the line of its long trumpet. Bulb merchants never offer this for sale as dry bulbs – even if they did, such bulbs would not succeed. Like snowdrops they need to be bought in growth. If you are lucky enough to find a pot or two, plant them in soil that does not dry out in sun. If they are happy, they will self-seed eventually. Or, if you have the patience, take off the seedhead when it is swollen and beginning to turn brown, extract the seeds carefully and sow in pots in loam-based compost. Cover thinly with grit and leave in a shady place, checking regularly to ensure the compost never dries out. Move to a sunnier position when the grass-like leaves finally emerge.
As with all monocotyledons – plants with a single seed-leaf – it is best to allow seedlings to grow for at least a year before potting them. Last to flower among the species of daffodils is Narcissus poeticus, the flower that materialised from the handsome youth who fell in love with his own reflection. It is perhaps the most beautiful of all daffodils, with round white perianth and a tiny cup, greeny-yellow with a red edge. Its perfume is soft and sweet and although I wish the other daffodils could go on for ever, I am always impatient for the slender buds of the poet's daffodil to unfurl and display themselves.
Daffodils must truly be one of our most iconic garden flowers – millions and millions of cultivars are planted each autumn. The great majority of them are big, bold and beautiful, but do spare a thought and perhaps a patch of the border for some of the smaller and daintier varieties.
ASK CAROL
Q
THERE is a strong extra trunk growing through the middle of my apple tree from the ground. It looks different to the rest of the tree. What's going on? Gloria Sturridge, by email
A
THIS will almost certainly be a sucker from the root stock on which your apple is growing. Unfortunately it sounds well established. You need to cut it down and, if possible, pull the base of it away from the root.
Q
MY tulips have odd blotches on their leaves and seem a bit distorted. What's wrong? Janet Horrocks, Rochdale
A
THIS is almost certainly tulip fire – a fungal disease. It's vitally important to remove everything – bulbs, leaves and flowers – to stop it spreading. Don't plant tulips on the same site for at least five years. If you have to have your tulip fix, grow them in pots in fresh compost.
■ A fungal disease called tulip fire can cause havoc if not addressed quickly
in the wild with LIAM CREEDON
It’s time to sniff out wild garlic
SPRING has finally sprung and our woods and hedgerows are filled with a stinky aroma, but rather than turn our noses up, it’s time to embrace the wonders of wild garlic. You smell wild garlic long before you see it. Driving down a country lane, the odour wafts through open car windows. If stumbled upon while walking, you are assailed by an intoxicating scent. Now is the key period to experience the UK’s wild garlic, or ramsons crop, at its best. But there’s much more to this plant than its pungent aroma – this is one of our most delicious foraging foods and it spreads like a green plague across the woodland floor. The plant appears in tightly packed ranks in shady woodland, often near streams; the matt green leaves accentuated by delicate white flowerheads. While the plant doesn’t offer much to look at, it certainly presents a banquet for the nose. Follow your snout and enter an oniony, garlicky wonderland. But don’t be put off by the smell. Tear off a leaf, the small ones are best, and have a nibble. The taste is a light, fresh and very palatable version of its more robust cousin. Ramson now graces many a fancy restaurant menu and it’s not hard to understand why. It is an incredibly versatile ingredient – a fantastic addition to salads and a great base for soups. Wild garlic pesto knocks the basil variety to the back of the
cupboard and the larger leaves can be wrapped around roasted fish. Dried and crumbled, it adds depth to a pasta sauce, and a bottle of olive oil can be brought alive when a few ramsons leaves are left to steep. Collecting wild garlic is for many people their first taste of wild foraging. Wild garlic is easy to find, delicious and because of the smell, easy to identify. Renowned forager Fergus Drennan says: “Wild garlic is a choice and easily recognisable wild plant, so delightfully pungent that it can often be detected by smell alone. “If you like garlic, you’ll find ramsons to be a delicious plant that is incredibly versatile in the kitchen because all parts are edible. “The leaves can be used in salads and soups, dried and flaked, for pesto or lacto-fermented; the bulbs and roots pickled, powdered or used fresh; and the flower buds, flowers, immature and mature seeds all add a garlicky kick to a range of dishes.” So far, so appealing, but surely there’s a catch? Well, no, not really. This isn’t a rare plant and although collecting huge amounts of it is not advised, you can fill a medium-sized bag with leaves without feeling pangs of guilt. It is a common plant found across the length and breadth of Britain and Ireland. ■ To find out about Fergus Drennan’s foraging course, visit wildmanwildfood.co.uk. For more information on wild garlic, visit plantlife.org.uk
Wild garlic is rumoured to keep cats at bay if your neighbour’s mog is troublesome 21
AGENTS’ CHOICE
Liverpool
SANDFIELD PARK, £550,000
BROADGREEN, £235,000
LYDIATE, £210,000
CHILDWALL, £350,000
ARRANGED over three storeys, this five bedroom family home is located in the much sought-after Sandfield Park. In brief, the accommodation comprises an entrance hall, cloaks/wc, inner hall, dining room, lounge, playroom/study, fitted kitchen, utility room and orangery to the ground floor. Upstairs, the master bedroom boasts an en-suite shower room, plus there are three further bedrooms and a bathroom. To the second floor is a fifth bedroom/study, and a family room. Outside, the property has a cobbled courtyard, and an inner landscaped courtyard. The property has an EPC rating of E. ■ Farrell Heyworth, 0151 281 8181
THIS attractive, double-fronted semidetached house boasts off-road parking and a garage. On the ground floor is an entrance hall, dining room open to a lounge with feature fire, sitting room and dining kitchen. Upstairs are three bedrooms, and an office which could be used as a walk-in wardrobe, plus a spacious bathroom with separate wc. To the second floor landing are two further good-sized bedrooms and a shower room. Externally is a driveway, garage and rear town garden with an outhouse, currently used as a utility. The property has an EPC rating of D. ■ Sutton Kersh, 0151 256 7837
THIS four bedroom detached house is located in the popular area of Lydiate, close to schools and transport links. On the ground floor, a hall gives access to a lounge, fitted kitchen/ breakfast room, morning room or fourth bedroom and a wc. To the first floor are three further bedrooms and a family bathroom. Outside, the property has gardens to the front and rear, plus a driveway and garage with a brick-built storage shed. The property, which has an EPC rating of D, further benefits from double glazing and gas central heating, and is offered for sale with no onward chain. ■ Loc8, 0151 526 0021
THIS spacious four bedroom detached house is situated in a mature residential area close to amenities. On the ground floor an entrance hall gives access to a cloaks/wc, lounge, dining room and morning room. Upstairs is a split level landing, four bedrooms (three with fitted wardrobes), and bathroom comprising a panelled bath with shower attachment, wash hand basin and wc, plus an additional separate wc. Outside, the property, which has an EPC rating of F, has a block paved driveway with space for off-road parking, plus a rear garden and a garage. ■ Sutton Kersh, 0151 734 0666
OLD SWAN, £220,000
BLUNDELLSANDS, oo £400,000
MOSSLEY HILL, £140,000
GATEACRE, £180,000
THIS well-presented, three bedroom semi-detached property is situated on the highly desirable Oakhill estate off Broadgreen Road. Inside, the property comprises an entrance hallway, lounge, dining room and conservatory, as well as a fitted breakfast kitchen and ground floor wc. To the first floor are three bedrooms and a shower room. Outside are gardens to the front and rear, a driveway and garage. There is also gas central heating and double glazing. The property is within walking distance of local amenities and bus routes and access to the motorway. The EPC rating is E. ■ Farrell Heyworth, 0151 220 5020
THIS double-fronted, five bedroom, semi-detached house boasts many original features. Located on one of the most sought- after roads in Blundellands, the property is close to schools, amenities and transport links. In brief, the accommodation comprises an entrance hall, downstairs wc/cloaks, lounge, sitting room, openplan kitchen/dining room, a conservatory and utility room. Upstairs are five bedrooms and a four piece family bathroom. Outside, the property has a double driveway and rear garden with a lawn, patio area and pond as well as a feature decked area. No chain. ■ Abode, 0151 909 3003
FOR sale is this beautifully appointed, three bedroom terrace home located in a sought-after residential area. On the ground floor an entrance hallway gives access to a lounge with a bay window, cast iron fireplace and stripped wood flooring. The separate dining room also boasts stripped wood flooring, and there is a fitted kitchen. Upstairs are three bedrooms and a fitted bathroom suite. The property further benefits from a range of original features, as well as gas central heating and double glazing. To the rear is a yard. The property is available with no onward chain. ■ Venmore, 0151 733 9000
THIS grade II listed stable conversion is located close to Gateacre Village. Inside, the accommodation has been well presented and offers deceptively spacious living space. On the ground floor is an entrance hall, living area, modern kitchen/diner, and cloaks/wc. To the first floor are three double bedrooms, and a four piece bathroom. Outside, the property boasts an attached, single garage with integral access to the kitchen/diner with utility area. The property, which has an EPC rating of D, is located in a quiet mews and has a communal garden. ■ Abode, 0151 601 3003
22
No sale - no fees, no up-front fees and no tie in periods. Just a few reasons to choose Venmore in Liverpool. See more properties at www.venmores.co.uk
William Jessop Way, Liverpool £160,000 ●
Superb 4th floor apartment
bedrooms
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The Anchorage, Liverpool £110,000
Stunning views across River Mersey
Bathroom and Shower Room
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Lounge with balcony
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Two double
Secure allocated parking space EPC Rating: B
Capricorn Crescent, Liverpool £89,950 ●
Modern mid town house
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Gas central heating system
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Two double bedrooms
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Ground floor apartment
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Parking space included
Viewing highly recommended
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Overlooking Liverpool Marina
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One double bedroom
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Fitted Kitchen
EPC Rating D
Queensland Street, Liverpool £149,950 ●
Attractive rear garden
Double glazed windows
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Paved driveway to front
EPC Rating: C
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Stylish end of terrace house
double glazing
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3 bedrooms
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Garage; Gardens
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Conservatory
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Dining kitchen
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UPVC
EPC Rating: C
Cornwallis Street, Liverpool £79,950
Gloucester Place, Gilmartin Grove, Liverpool £94,500
Stowell Street, Liverpool Reduced to £124,950
Gem Street, Vauxhall Reduced to £59,950
One bedroom apartment ● Undercroft parking Close to City centre ● One double bedroom ● Lounge/diner ● Tenanted under A.S.T. agreement ● EPC Rating: E
First floor apartment ● Two double bedrooms "L" shaped Lounge/Diner/Kitchen ● Large double glazed windows ● Electric heating ● Allocated parking space ● EPC Rating C
Ground floor apartment ● Two bedrooms Lounge/diner ● Fitted kitchen ● Stylish modern bathroom ● Economy 7 heating ● Attractive central atrium ● EPC Rating: D
● Purpose built apartment ● Third floor ● Two bedrooms (double and single) ● Fitted Kitchen ● Lounge with French windows ● UPVC double glazing ● Electric panel heaters ● Car park to rear ● EPC Rating: C
The Collegiate, Liverpool £109,950
Rice Lane, Liverpool £74,000
Argyle Street, Liverpool £114,995
PUBLIC NOTICE
Superb ground floor apartment ● One double bedroom (Mezzanine level) ● Walk-in Wardrobe ● Modern re-fitted kitchen ● Decked terrace area to rear ● Secure car parking space ● Highly recommended! ● EPC Rating D
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Purpose built apartment ● Second floor corner position Two double bedrooms ● Lounge ● Fitted kitchen Bathroom with white suite ● Electric heating ● Aspects to three sides ● Allocated parking ● Attractive communal grounds ● Available for sale with no chain ● EPC Rating: D
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Duplex apartment ● One double bedroom ●Substantial Terrace overlooking Campbell Square ● Superb location for access to restaurants and city centre ● Spacious lounge/diner/fitted kitchen ● Double glazed windows ● Electric heating system ●Available with NO CHAIN! ● EPC Rating: D
Venmore are now in receipt of an offer for the sum of £59,000 for 74 Acorn Court, Liverpool L8 5TA. Anyone wishing to place an offer on this property should contact Venmore 9 Dale Street, Liverpool L2 2SH Tel: 0151 236 4400 before exchange of contracts
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City Branch Sales 0151 236 4400 Imperial Buildings, 9 Dale Street, Liverpool, L2 2SH
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Aigburth Hall Avenue Aigburth
Grange Mews Gateacre
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£180,000
Unique Grade II Listed Stable Conversion Three Double Bedrooms Modern Kitchen/Diner Spacious Living Room Off Road Parking & Garage No Chain
Rudston Road Childwall
Offers over £200,000 ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Extended 3 Bedroom Semi Detached 3 Reception Rooms Extended Kitchen/Diner Ground Floor Shower Room Extended Bathroom Gardens Front and Rear Driveway
Stillington Road Dingle
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£125,000
3 Bedroom Mid Town House Recently Updated Includes a Modern Newly Fitted Kitchen/Diner Modern Bathroom Gardens Front and Rear Cul D Sac Location
£345,000
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5 Bed Substantial Semi Detached
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Modern Extended Family Kitchen
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Master Loft Bedroom with Ensuite
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Well Presented
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Garage & Drive
Offers over £60,000
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2 Bedroom Terraced Property 2 Reception Rooms Bathroom Accessed via Landing Gas Central Heating No Chain
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£230,000
4 Bedroom End Town House ● 3 Double Bedrooms ● Ensuite to Master Bedroom ● Located Over 3 Floors ● Good Size Rear Garden ● Freehold ● Views Towards the River Mersey ●
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£215,000
4 Bedroom Extended Semi Detached 2 Reception Rooms Kitchen/Diner Family Bathroom Garage Gardens Front and Rear
South Mossley Hill Road Grassendale
£229,950
Original 4 Bedroom Semi Detached ● 2 Reception Rooms ● Kitchen/Diner ● Garage ● Parking ● Gardens ● Double Glazed ● Gas Central Heating ●
Thingwall Road Wavertree Gardens
Stairhaven Road Allerton
Offers over £250,000
Offers over £190,000 ● ● ● ● ●
3 Bedroom Semi Detached Plus Loft Room 2 Reception Rooms Fitted Kitchen Gardens Front and Rear Double Glazed
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£80,000
3rd Floor, 1 Bedroom Apartment In the Vicinity of Sefton Park Lose to Lark Lane Amenities Lounge/Dining Room Modern Kitchen Modern Bathroom
Offers over £215,000 ●
4Bedroom Modern Detached
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Conservatory
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Ground Floor WC
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Ensiute to Master Bedroom
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Cul-D-Sac Location
£194,950
Offers over £70,000 2 Bedroom Mid Terrace
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Lounge/Dining Room
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Vicinty of Local Amenities
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No Chain
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Good Decorative Order
Offers over £140,000 ● ● ● ● ● ●
Crossley Drive Wavertree
Dunstan Street Wavertree
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Lingfield Grove Broadgreen
Pear Tree Avenue West Derby
Parkfield Road Aigburth
Strathcona Road Wavertree
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Barnhurst Road Childwall
Marlcroft Drive Aigburth
4 Bedroom Extended Semi Detached Lounge,Dining Room ● Extended Family Room with Kitchen Area ● Modern Bathroom ● Conservatory ● Over Looks Open Fields ●
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3 Bedroom Semi Detached Lounge with through Dining Room Gas Central Heating Double Glazed Gardens Front and Rear Driveway
Calthorpe Street Garston
Offers over £125,000 NEWLY RENNOVATED THROUGHOUT 3 Bedroom Terrace ● 2 Reception Rooms ● Modern Kitchen ● Modern Bathroom ● Gas Central Heating ● Double Glazed ● NO CHAIN ●
5/6 Bedroom Double Fronted Town House 3 Reception Rooms Gardens F & R Shower Room Double Glazed No Chain
Brookfield House Huyton
Fields End Huyton
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Ancaster Road Aigburth
Offers over £134,000 Mid Terraced Property Good location for local amenities on Aigburth Road ● Two Reception Rooms ● Fitted Kitchen ● Rear Courtyard ● UPVC Double Glazing & Gas Central Heating ●
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Hillside Road Allerton
Offers over £75,000 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Priced To Sell 2 Bedroom Ground Floor Apartment Good Size Lounge Kichen/Diner with Appliances Ensuite to Bedroom 1 Double Glazed Gas Central Heating Secure Gated Parking Communal Gardens No Chain
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Offers over £100,000 ● ● ● ● ● ●
2 Bedroom Semi Detached BUNGALOW Double Glazed Gas Central Heating Detached Garage Walking Distance of Speke Retail Park No Chain
£208,000
3 Bedroom Mid Terrace 3 Reception Rooms Double Glazed No Chain Internal Inspection Recommended
Northdale Road Wavertree
Almond Court Garston
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£140,000
3 Bedroom Semi Detached Popular Location Garage Gardens Front and Rear Double Glazed Gas Central Heating
Offers over £110,000 ● ● ● ● ●
3 Bedroom End Terrace Double Glazed Gas Central Heated Immaculate Throughout In the Vicinity of Local Ammenities
Lettings 0151 207 5923 lettings@suttonkersh.co.uk
City centre 0151 236 2332 citycentre@suttonkersh.co.uk
NEW
NATIONAL BANK | L2 £99,000 ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Third Floor Apartment Two bedrooms Open Plan Living Area Modern Kitchen City Centre Location Investment Opportunity No Chain
NEW PRICE
NEW
MARGARET ROAD | L4 £98,950
THE REACH | L3 £85,000
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Town House Three Bedrooms Extended Lounge Extended Fitted Kitchen Gas Central Heating Upvc Double Glazing Luxury Bathroom
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First Floor Apartment One Bedroom Corner Position Juliet Balcony Concierge Ideal First Home No Chain
NEW PRICE
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Terraced House Three Bedrooms Unfurnished Double Glazing Gas Central Heating Spacious Accommodation
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Mid Town House Three Bedrooms Through Lounge Diner Kitchen Double Glazing Garage No Chain
ROSSETT STREET | L6 £495 PCM ● ● ● ● ● ●
Terraced House Two Bedrooms Furnished Modern Kitchen Family Bathroom DG GCH
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WATERSIDE | L3 £154,950
ADLER WAY | L3 £210,000
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Third Floor Apartment Two Double Bedrooms Open Plan Living Area Stylish Bathroom En-suite Shower Room Timber Decked Balcony River and Dockside Views Allocated Car Space
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Penthouse Apartment Two Bedrooms Open Plan Living Area En-suite Shower Room Balcony Water Feature and River Views Secure Undercroft Parking Space
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Grade II Listed Georgian Town House Six Bedrooms Living Room Dining Room Two Bathrooms plus shower Room Utility Room Permit Parking
PERCY STREET | L8 £459,000 ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Grade II Listed Town House Four One Bedroom Flats Two Two Bedroom Flats Period Features Freehold Rear Yard with Parking Space Resdent Permit Parking
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Terraced House Two Bedrooms Part Furnished Modern Kitchen Garden Popular Location
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Ground Floor Apartment Two Bedrooms Open Plan Living Area UPVC Double Glazing Walking Distance to University Allocated Parking No Chain
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One Bedroomed Apt Ground Floor Lounge/ Kitchen En suite bathroom Double Glazed Centrally Heated Allocated parking
Town House Three Bedrooms Gas Central Heating Double Glazing Gardens Inspection Recommended
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Duplex Apartment 2 Double Bedrooms Unfurnished Double Glazing Central Heating Good Location
HERONDALE ROAD | L18 £675 PCM
HUNTS CROSS AVENUE | L25 £795 PCM
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Terraced house Three bedrooms Lounge Dining room Fitted Kitchen Viewing recommended
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Detached house Three bedrooms Bathroom Ch DG gardens
BACK SANDON ST | L8 £350,000
IVANHOE ROAD | LIVERPOOL £860
CABLE YARD | L2 £525 PCM
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Duplex Apartment
CITY GATE | L1 £650 PCM ●
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Two Bedrooms
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Furnished
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Georgian End Town House Three Bedrooms Open Plan Living Area Study/Playroom En-Suite Shower Room Cloakroom Wine Cellar Two Car Driveway
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Master Ensuite
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Apartment 6 th Floor Furnished 2 Bedrooms Dg/Ch City Centre Location
New
HOPE STREET | L1 £565,000
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PRINCES AVENUE | L8 £495 PCM
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Two Bedroomed Semi Detached Unfurnished Double Glazing Gas Central Heating Modern Bathroom Large Conservatory Gardens
ABBEYFIELD DRIVE | L12 £550 PCM
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MINEHEAD ROAD | L17 £525 PCM
Second/Third Floor Duplex Apartment Two Double Bedrooms En Suite Bathroom Allocated and Visitor Parking Dock and River Views
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CHANCELLOR COURT | L8 £92,495
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WATERLOO WAREHOUSE | L3 £189,950
Fourth Floor Apartment Two Bedrooms Modern Fitted Kitchen Secure Allocated Parking Contemporary Bathroom No Chain
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THE SYMPHONY | L7 £159,950 ●
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Mid terrace House Two bedrooms Living Room Dining Room Gas Central Heating Double Glazing No Chain
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HAWKSHEAD ST | PR9 £139,950
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RONAN CLOSE | L20 £450 PCM
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DELAMORE PLACE | L4 £55,000
Town House Two Bedrooms Modern Kitchen Gas Central Heating Double Glazing Two Car Drive Close to City centre
WARDGATE AVE | L12 £575 PCM
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COMUS STREET | L3 £115,000 ●
BINGLEY ROAD | L4 £495 PCM
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Apartment 1 bedroom Furnished Dg/Eh Residents parking City Centre
New
New
BOLD PLACE | L1 £430,000
WESTMINISTER CHAMBERS | L1 £575 PCM ●
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Apartment
ELLERMAN ROAD | L3 £595 PCM
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Apartment
HUSKISSON STREET | L8 £420 PCM
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One bedroom
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One bedroom
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Furnished
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Unfurnished
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Open plan kitchen/lounge
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2nd Floor
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City Centre location
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Georgian Quarter
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Grade II Listed Georgian Townhouse Four Bedrooms Three Reception Rooms Two Bathrooms Utility Room Private Rear Courtyard Views of St Lukes Church
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2 Bedrooms Apartment Furnished Central Heating Double Glazing Parking
www.suttonkersh.co.uk 25
AGENTS’ CHOICE
Lettings
AIGBURTH, £850cpm
LIVERPOOL CITY CENTRE, £500pcm
HOYLAKE, £875pcm
MOSSLEY HILL, £750pcm
THIS two bedroom furnished, ground floor split-level apartment is within a converted mansion house which overlooks Sefton Park. Inside is a lounge with bay window, separate fitted kitchen with white goods, master bedroom with en-suite, bathroom, second bedroom with study off, as well as a guest shower room. The property further benefits from double glazed sash windows, and a gas central heating system. The property is offered on a furnished basis and enjoys a soughtafter location within easy reach of Sefton Park, Lark Lane and Aigburth Road. ■ Venmore, 0151 734 6890
AVAILABLE to let is this large, two bedroom flat located on Shaw Street. Inside, the property has been finished to a good specification, and in brief comprises a large living area, luxury kitchen, two bedrooms and an immaculate bathroom. The property is being offered on an unfurnished basis, and further benefits from high ceilings. Outside, the property boasts a secure parking space. The property, which has an EPC rating of F, enjoys a convenient location for a wealth of amenities in the city centre, and provides easy access to the universities, as well as the Royal Hospital. ■ Venmore, 0151 236 4400
AVAILABLE to let is this spacious, four bedroom terrace house located in a popular residential area. Inside, the property is well presented and has been modernised throughout. On the ground floor, the accommodation briefly comprises a hallway, lounge, dining room and a fitted kitchen. To the first floor there are four good sized bedrooms (two with fitted wardrobes), plus a family bathroom/ wc. The property is offered on an unfurnished basis. No DSS, no smokers and no pets. ■ Bradshaw Farnham & Lea, 0151 608 9444
THIS luxury, two bedroom, second floor apartment is located in the prestigious Grosvenor Court development, which is just a short walk away from Sefton Park. Inside, the property has been well presented, and benefits from a fully fitted modern kitchen and bathroom. In brief, the accommodation comprises a lounge and fitted kitchen, as well as two bedrooms and a bathroom. The property further benefits from gas central heating, double glazing and secure, gated parking. The property, which has an EPC rating of C, is available furnished. ■ Farrell Heyworth, 0151 281 8181
ALLERTON, £750pcm
CROSBY, £825pcm
LIVERPOOL CITY CENTRE, £650pcm
HUNTS CROSS, £575pcm
AVAILABLE to let is this attractive, three bedroom detached home located in a popular residential area. Inside comprises a lounge, dining room and kitchen as well as three bedrooms and a bathroom. Set on a corner plot, outside the property boasts a good-sized rear garden and off-road parking. Further benefits include double glazing and gas central heating. The property, which has an EPC rating of D, is being offered on an unfurnished basis. A viewing is recommended to fully appreciate all that the property has to offer, as well as its desirable location. ■ Farrell Heyworth, 0151 281 8181
AVAILABLE to let is this three bedroom detached home in a desirable area. Inside, the well planned accommodation briefly comprises an entrance hall, downstairs wc, lounge, dining room, and kitchen. To the first floor there are three bedrooms, and a family bathroom, plus the property has a loft conversion which has potential for many uses. Outside, to the rear there is a lawned garden, plus to the front and side there is a garden with a driveway that leads to a garage. The property is being offered on an unfurnished basis and an early viewing is strongly recommended. ■ Abode, 0151 909 3003
THIS two bedroom apartment is located on the sixth floor of this prestigious development. Ideally situated in the heart of the city centre, the property is well located for a wealth of amenities. In, brief the accommodation comprises an open-plan living/dining room and fully fitted modern kitchen, as well as two double bedrooms and two bathrooms. Parking is also available at £50pcm extra, and the property benefits from central heating and double glazing. The property, which has an EPC rating of D, is being offered on a furnished basis. ■ Sutton Kersh, 0151 207 5923
THIS modern, three bedroom, semidetached house is situated in a popular residential area close to amenities. In brief, the accommodation comprises a good sized lounge, fitted kitchen with dining area and cloaks/wc, as well as three bedrooms and a family bathroom. Outside, the property has an allocated parking space and a rear garden. The property further benefits from gas central heating and double glazing. With an EPC rating of C, the property is being offered unfurnished but including white goods. ■ Grosvenor Properties, 0151 342 3465
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Auctions 0151 207 6315 www.suttonkersh.co.uk/auctions-property/ TO N IN OM IO FR CT ION KS E RU LET E ST P W IN M T 8 CO JUS
Achieve a quick property sale with Merseyside’s no.1 auction house Benefit from… • 37 years local knowledge & experience • Instant marketing upon instruction • Accurate valuations • Professional advice • Local and national marketing
APRIL AUC TION 85 LOTS SOLD £6 MILLION+ RAISED
Enter our 6th June auction. Call now to book your free market appraisal. Catalogue closes 10th May
Some highlights from our April auction include: SOLD
Commercial investment 12 Smithdown Road, Liverpool, L7 4JG Guide price £45,000+ SOLD £65,500
24hour funding
SOLD
Vacant residential 350 Wavertree Nook Road, Liverpool, L15 7LJ Guide price £110,000+ SOLD £115,000
SOLD
Vacant residential 30 Shiel Road, Liverpool, L6 3AE Guide price £55,000+ SOLD £80,500
SOLD
Vacant residential Rangers House, Station Road, Thurstaston, Wirral, CH61 0HN Guide price £240,000+ SOLD £310,000
SOLD
Vacant residential/ commercial 32 Tarbock Road, Huyton, Liverpool L36 5XW Guide price £75,000 SOLD £110,000
SOLD
Vacant residential 156 Alder Road, West Derby, Liverpool L12 9ES Guide price £125,000+ SOLD £158,000
bid in confidence knowing that funds will be available in time for completion Call us now on 07850 311 089 www.auctionfinance.co.uk
@AuctionFinance
fast funding for property professionals
27
NEW HOMES Straight to the Point By Katie McLoughlin
L
PC Living has unveiled a range of luxury homes at its Cedar Point development, in Formby. Some 300 house-hunters attended an event to mark the development’s official launch last month, which saw a range of three and four-bedroom homes unveiled at the Ennerdale Road site. With the development complete, award-winning house builder LPC Living has opened the doors to a bespoke collection of seven, three-storey homes on Cedar Point. Prospective buyers now have the opportunity to view a completed three and fourbedroom home and see at first hand the enhanced specification recently introduced by LPC. Set over three storeys and providing up to 1,760 sq ft of living accommodation, each property offers stylish Magnet kitchens with Whirlpool appliances, designer RAK bathrooms and all flooring provided as standard. In addition, each property now boasts Amtico flooring to the ground floor and master bedroom; designer light fittings throughout; a heated towel rail in the main bathroom; external feature lighting to the front and rear and a laurel hedge along the rear garden wall. Prices at the development start
at £299,950, with stamp duty paid on selected plots. Cedar Point takes its name from the attractive cedar wood cladding that fronts the contemporary but family-focused development. The seven homes are located just off Kirklake Road, only a few minutes’ walk from Formby train station and 10 minutes from the
scenic National Trust reserve, Formby beach and vibrant town centre. Stephanie White, branch manager at Reeds Rains, who are marketing the homes, said: “With an unbeatable location close to local schools and the enhanced specification, Cedar Point is cementing itself as the premier development in Formby. We’re
seeing a phenomenal number of people eager to view the completed properties and see first hand the quality of these stunning new homes.” ■ To make an appointment to view the homes at Cedar Point, please call Reeds Rains on 01704 878545, pop into the branch in Formby village, or visit www.cedarpoint-formby.co.uk.
■ The stylish Cedar Point development in Formby
Helping hand to buy your dream home
■ Taylor Wimpey North West is continuing to ffer the FirstBuy initiative to help first-time buyers get on the property ladder at one of their stylish developments, including Speakman Gardens in Prescot
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WE all need a helping hand onto the first rung of the property ladder, so it’s great news for firsttime buyers that the governmentbacked FirstBuy scheme will continue until March 2014. Some 28% of first-time buyers who bought a house with Taylor Wimpey North West last year did so using the scheme, and the developer is continuing to offer the incentive at its local developments until March 2014. Through FirstBuy, purchasers can own 100% of their new home from Taylor Wimpey North West after initially paying just 80% of the full price, which includes a small, 5% deposit. The remaining 20% is made up of a joint loan from Taylor Wimpey and the Government’s Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). The loan is repayable at the end of the 25-year mortgage
term or when the property is sold. To be eligible for FirstBuy, customers must be first-time buyers with a household income of under £60,000. The scheme is now available at the company’s Watermill Gardens development in Bromborough, Great Hall Park in Ellesmere Port, Cunningham Grange in St Helens, Speakman Gardens in Prescot, Millers Brow in Blackley and Meadows View in Warton. Across the developments there are a range of homes which offer FirstBuy, including one and two bedroom apartments, three and four bedroom houses. Prices start from £74,995 (or from as little as £59,996 with FirstBuy). ■ For further information, contact the regional sales team on 01925 849 500, or visit www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/ northwest.
NEED MORE
HeLp
tO BUY ?
GOT A
5
%
depOsit? A stunning 3 bedroom home from only £105,200*
What you need to know • Available to all homebuyers.
Thinking of buying a new home? You could move with just a 5% deposit plus a 20% equity loan from the Government.
• You only need a 5% deposit.
Our experts can help you find the right way to afford a new Lovell home. Talk to them now because Help to Buy is just one way we help you buy.
• You’ll only need to secure up to a 75% mortgage from a bank or building society.
• The Government will lend you up to 20% of the value of your property through an equity loan.
• Only available on new build homes.
TALK TO THE
experts
Church Fields
Raglan Close, Liverpool L19 8NG. Tel: 0151 427 8098.
Marketing Suite and Show Homes open Thursday to Monday 10am - 5pm
Visit www.lovellnewhomes.co.uk or
Lovell In Liverpool
*HELP TO BUY based on a 75% mortgage with a minimum 5% deposit contribution. It is not available in conjunction with any other offer or promotion. Lovell cannot give you any financial advice but can refer you to an Independent Financial Advisor. The maximum Equity Loan will be 20% of the purchase price. Prices and information believed to be correct at time of going to press and are subject to change without notice. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT. Images are for illustrative purposes only. All offers are subject to our standard terms and conditions which are available on request. Selected plots only. Full purchase price of £131,500.
29
LUXURY HOMES
Dive in to hi-tech life By Katie McLoughlin
C
LOSE to Woolton village and Calderstones Park, this uber-stylish, detached house is sure to appeal to those who want to live in the lap of luxury, with features including a newly-built indoor heated swimming pool. The pool is just one of a number of improvements the current owners have made, with the property also being extended and upgraded, with further enviable features including a sleek kitchen, gymnasium, cinema room and three en-suites. When it comes to technology, this house has it in spades, with a system providing centralised control of the lighting and heating, plus a sound and media system throughout. Inside briefly comprises a hall with hardwood flooring, which leads to a lounge with remote control Living Flame gas fire. There’s a sitting room, which also has a remote control fire; an office and a cinema room with drop-down cinema screen. The ground floor also has a utility room and a kitchen, newly
30
fitted with modern units, granite worktops, underfloor heating and a range of integrated appliances, and a gymnasium and swimming pool complex, boasting a 10m x 5m heated pool, steam room, shower room, hot tub and bi-folding doors to the garden.
To the first floor, there is a family bathroom with Jacuzzi bath, state-of-the-art shower and underfloor heating, plus three bedrooms. Bedroom one has an en-suite bathroom and dressing room, while bedroom three has an en-suite bathroom.
On the second floor is a fourth bedroom with en-suite wet room and loft room with feature beam. Outside, there is a driveway and a garden with patio, lawn, decking and water feature. ■ WOOLTON, £1.8m; Abode, 0151 601 3003
■ Stunning interiors and hi-tech gadgetry elegantly combined
HOMES
Get A-OK before starting any DIY The usual planning permission aside, other consent can be required to do building work, so make sure you know when and who you need to ask, says JULIA GRAY
your questions on DIY answered
Q
COULD you let me know the best filler to use for gaps between the skirting boards and walls? In some places they’re quite broad.
A
YOU need to use caulk. It comes in a tube like silicon and is a flexible filler used to seal the joint between two different surfaces. Apply it like silicon and smooth off in the same way, Once it dries you can paint it. Larger gaps can be filled by stuffing a neatly rolled up newspaper between skirting and wall, then caulk the gap. The paper stops the caulk falling behind the skirting board, or you can use thin strips of plywood.
Q
WHEN floor tiles were laid in my bathroom, grouting powder was spilled on the floor. Scrubbing cannot shift it. Any tips? I have tried nail polish remover and stain remover.
T
HE weather’s finally warmed up, which should signal the start of the DIY season. Almost a quarter (24%) of Brits are planning to do more DIY this year than last, spending an average of £865, according to a recent poll by DIY chain B&Q. Decorating is one thing, but major home improvements are often less straightforward – even if planning permission isn’t required, other permissions may be. With listed buildings, home improvements are rarely as simple as they seem, as the listing applies to both the inside and outside. The safest option is to check with your local council’s conservation officer before making any changes, because work that seems minor can require listed building consent. The process of seeking consent is similar to that of planning permission, but in complicated cases and ones involving certain types of work and Grade I and Grade II-listed buildings, the case will be referred to English Heritage (see www.english-heritage.org.uk for advice). You can appeal if consent is refused, but doing the work without consent is a criminal offence, and you can be forced to reverse any unauthorised changes. Special rules also apply to properties on ’designated land’, such as conservation areas and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The permitted development rules are different here, meaning there’s less you can do to your home without planning permission. For example, side extensions and loft conversions are not permitted development for houses on designated land, but they can be done without planning on most other houses, as long as the rules are followed. Conservation areas have special historical or architectural interest,
DEAR DONNY
A
GROUT remover should do it. Hard grout is best removed using a piece of wood, so you don't scratch the tiles and then try the grout remover to clean. Read the instructions beforehand to make sure it's suitable for your tiles.
Q
HOW do I achieve a neat line when I'm painting? Paint always gets behind the masking tape. The other problem is the tape tears and sticks to the surface and it's hard to get off.
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■ Protected or listed status can be a major headache for those living in affected properties who wish to make changes and councils are keen to preserve their appearance and character. This is laudable, but it can make life difficult for home improvers because it gives councils more say over minor changes to buildings, gardens and trees. In addition, extra restrictions apply to certain properties. If a property has been subject to an Article 4 Direction, planning permission is required for home improvements that wouldn’t normally need it, such as replacing the windows. If your home’s leasehold, it’s not just the local council you have to worry about. Most leases have a clause stating that alterations must be approved by the freeholder (by them signing a licence to alter), although the lease will probably also say that permission can’t reasonably be refused. Even if you own a share of the
freehold, you still need the written permission of the other freeholders. Getting your freeholder or co-freeholders to agree can be a long and painful process, and some have been known to unreasonably refuse or to ask for money in return for granting permission. Doing alterations without a signed licence to alter from the freeholder/s can cause problems when you sell if you’re in breach of the lease, even if they’re also in breach of it. The other way in which your neighbours may become involved in your home improvements is if you need a party wall agreement with them. Party walls are ones that you share with your neighbours in terraced and semi-detached houses. They can also be shared floors/ceilings in flats, and walls built astride a boundary in the garden. The Party Wall etc Act 1996
governs building work involving these, plus new boundary walls and some excavations close to neighbouring buildings. The purpose of the Act is to minimise or avoid disputes between neighbours over building work affecting party walls by setting out how it should be done. You start by serving a notice on the affected neighbours and if they don’t agree to the work, you resolve the ‘dispute’ with party wall surveyors and agreements. Again, this can be a difficult and expensive process, but avoid it at your peril.
Brits love their bubbles. One in ten homes now has its own hot tub
IF YOU go for cheap masking tape, then you can expect a nightmare. You need to use a good quality one which does not allow the paint to bleed underneath – it should also have a clean peel time. ■ Don’t miss DIY Donny’s website packed with tips, Q&As and step-by-step guides. www.diy-donny.co.uk
CALLING DIY-ERS ARE you a DIY disaster or a home improvement addict? Maybe you’re living with a DIY enthusiast from hell? Whether you’re in DIY heaven or hell, Red House TV wants to hear from you for a brand new series. Contact them on 0203 189 3412 or email buildit@redhousetv.co.uk
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