I was built about 26 years ago to suit a retiring couple who wanted plenty of space as well as 10 foot high timber ceilings. They chose my beautiful big, odd shaped block of land right up at the end of the cul-de-sac then positioned me so that I had my long front side facing north. This means that about all you can glimpse of me from the street is my metal garage. They put a good quality fence all around the boundary and set to work creating a special garden with really dense border plantings as well as lovely open lawns dotted with beautiful shrubs and specimen trees. They added some latticework around the street side for extra privacy and put up a pergola over a paved area for outdoor living. They wanted easy care both inside and out, so they tiled everything except 1 bedroom in a good quality, neutral toned tile that has stood the test of time. They added a good solid concrete walkway up the side of the garage to the tiled entry porch and later on added handrails as the years passed.

But times pass, and I’ve had all sorts of experiences since I was sold in 2001. Right now I am tenanted and my buyers will need to give a 60 day contract to ensure that I am vacant and ready for them to move in. A few years ago I was given a nice, neat new kitchen, but my bathroom is the original. It is quite spacious, but just has a vanity unit and a shower recess. It is showing its age and there really is enough space to have a tub if you want one as well as a shower recess. My original lady owner was a brilliant craftswoman so I have tons of storage with a good sized linen cupboard as well as those 2 huge sets of built-in robes - O.K. they would look better with new, fashionable doors, but they are still perfectly sensible and practical. I’ve got lots of windows and security screens too.

My garden grew to be my crowning glory! I even have a lovely fish pond and some of my trees are very rare. About 18 months ago, when the photos you see here were taken, it was perfect, but after being tenanted, the weeds have grown a bit wild and some of the trees and shrubs could do with a bit of a prune. Just a day or two’s work will bring my garden back to perfection. You can’t create a garden like this without many years of work, love and attention. So if you want to have a dream garden, it comes with an older house like me!

Some of my exteriors need a touch of paint, but otherwise, I appear to be in pretty good nick. I am in a lovely quiet neighbourhood and actually on the highest block in the street. I am handy to schools and shops. In fact I am pretty well right in the centre of the Mountain, that’s why I consider myself conveniently located.

If you feel like spending a little time tarting me up, I promise that I will be a home you will love and want to live in for many years, just like my original owners did.