Welcome back to What I Own – Metro’s property series where we speak to homeowners about getting on the ladder.
This week, we’re in Rutland, in the East Midlands, meeting 37-year-old Kat Sanders, who lives with her husband Joe.
Back in 2015, the pair bought a tired barn conversion from Joe’s grandparents for £350,000, just outside Oakham.
After completing a full refurbishment of the Victorian property, which housed cows before it was converted into a house in the late 1980s, Kat and Joe managed to double their property’s value.
Ten years after first moving from London, Kat and Joe are still relishing their idyllic countryside life.
Here’s what Kat had to say about their property journey…
Tell us about yourself!
I’m a mum of three and a part-time teacher and content creator.
Whereabouts is your property? What do you think of the area?
It’s in Rutland in the East Midlands, a beautiful area in the countryside surrounded by open fields. I love living here, I’m definitely made for country living!
We’re both from the countryside, I’m from Worcestershire, and never felt London was home, so the move felt right and it was where we were supposed to be.
When did you move in?
We’ve lived here since May 2015.
How much does your property cost? And how much, roughly, was the cost of renovating?
We bought it for £350,000 and have spent upwards of £130,000 renovating. It’s now worth around £700,000.
How much was your deposit?
£90,000.
What is the monthly cost of living here now, both mortgage and bills?
Approximately £1,700 per month.
How did you save up for your deposit?
We saved up for the deposit through the sale of a previous house, and we lived with family for a year when we got married to save some extra money.
What was the process of getting a mortgage like for you? Did you find any parts challenging?
We actually found the process really easy – we used a mortgage broker.
Can you share details on your mortgage (rate/term)?
We recently switched to 4.5% for 25 years.
Where did you live before this – were you renting or living with family?
We initially rented in London, and then lived with family before buying.
What made you want to buy rather than rent?
I liked the security of buying, and being able to renovate the house was important to me.
How did you find this property? What made you choose it?
The house was already in the family. It was lived in by my husband’s grandparents and was originally a barn on their farm. The amount of space we had was amazing. It’s got a big garden that looks onto fields, and a wood at the back. It was a lot to look after so when we bought it, it was a disbelief, and a bit of relief too.
How have you made the property feel like home? What’s the inspiration for your interior decor style?
A complete renovation has truly made it feel like home! I take a lot of inspiration from Instagram interior accounts.
My dad is also good at DIY so I watched him. It’s just ingrained in me to give it a go. You just go on YouTube and look it up if you’re stuck. I always think, what’s the worst thing that can happen?
I also buy a lot second-hand. I’m conscious of waste and our throw-away culture. I do get offered a lot of furniture, but I don’t take it unless I need it. Second-hand adds history and lasts for me.
When it comes to design choices, I don’t have a system – I just think: “Do I like it and is there a place for it to go?” These days I’m more adventurous with colour, moving from greys to neutrals and greens. I would describe my home as classic with a modern twist.
I guess you could call it modern country style. It’s not hugely traditional but has touches of a traditional English home. There’s even an original fireplace from when it was a barn – I’m not sure why a barn needed a fireplace – and we have a stable door too.
What’s your favourite room and why?
My favourite room is definitely the kitchen living space, we spend most of our time in this room and rarely use the living room.
It’s big enough to have the whole family in without feeling cramped, and it’s lovely and light due to the bifold doors and roof lantern. I love panelling – it adds character, and a lot of that was ripped out of the barn, which was a shame.
Do you feel like you have enough space?
I would love an extra bedroom upstairs and more storage, but otherwise, yes.
Do you have plans to change the property?
I have a bathroom renovation that I’m planning. We have a tiny bath that needs to be replaced with a shower. I’ll also be reworking the garden this summer with an outdoor kitchen.
Are there any problems with the property that you have to deal with?
As an old property, there’s always something, from leaks to animals getting in.
What do you want people to know about buying a home?
If you have the option to save for a deposit by living with family, it’s a great way to reduce the mortgage.
What are your plans for the future, in terms of housing? Do you plan to stay here long-term?
I’m always on the lookout for the next project, but this definitely feels like home. It would need to be a very special property to get us to move.
Shall we take a look around?
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Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.