Daily Post

Two for the Price of One ; Sue Kelbrick On a Large Home with a Cottage in the Grounds

S TANDING in nearly three acres of land, this spacious property has been maintained to a high standard. In the grounds, there is extensive garaging, a paddock and stables, as well as a selfcontained cottage, lawns and mature shrubs and trees.

Women Rule for Creative Flair

WHEN it comes to grand designs, it's the woman of the home that tends to be the prime mover. Whether it is a new extension or a remodelling exercise, nine times out of 10 the lady of the house takes charge of the operation, reveals John Hall, of Architect Your Home Merseyside. "Over the years, we have done countless jobs and invariably we find that women lead and men follow, particularly from a creative perspective," says John.

Builders Help Make Dreams Come True

FIRST-TIME buyers Mike Benson and Sam Foley have discovered that a new-build home can be the best route onto the property ladder. Not only has this young couple from Liverpool acquired a brandnew, modern home that needs little maintenance, they've also been able to finance it without a big deposit and have delayed paying 25% of the cost for up to 10 years.

Manor Court, Prescot, From Pounds 145,995

BUYERS at George Wimpey Manchester's Manor Court development, in Prescot, could boost their deposits and secure better mortgage deals through an innovative new scheme from George Wimpey. On selected properties, the housebuilder will match the buyer's deposit, up to 10% of the property's value, as an interestfree loan, giving them access to better interest rates and lower monthly mortgage payments.

Scholars Way, St Helens, Pounds 379,950

SCHOLARS Way is the first new-build development in Windle, near St Helens, for 15 years. Just 29 houses are being built. Miller Homes has just announced a great package deal on one of the largest and most elegant new homes. The Helmsdale is a detached five-bedroom executive home, with a wealth of premium features throughout.

Woolton, Pounds 249,950

BEAUTIFULLY presented, this traditional semi-detached property is set in an excellent location close to popular Woolton village. On the ground floor, there is an entrance hall and the lounge has a feature fireplace. The fitted kitchen comprises a good range of units, matching work surfaces and integrated appliances.

Mossley Hill, Pounds 209,995

SITUATED close to the soughtafter amenities of Allerton Road, this traditional semi-detached property occupies a spacious corner plot. Inside, there is a reception hall, a good sized lounge with a bay window, a sitting room and a fully fitted kitchen with a range of units, contrasting work surfaces and integrated appliances.

Birkdale, Pounds 315,000

SET in a popular area, this beautifully presented semidetached property offers plenty of character and boasts a doublelength garage and spacious rear gardens. Downstairs, there is an entrance hall, a front reception room which has an open fireplace, and a lounge which has a decorative fireplace and solid wood flooring.

Aughton, Pounds 545,000

ENJOYING rural views, this modern four-bedroom detached house benefits from a separate coach house in the grounds. On the ground floor, the entrance hall gives access to a lounge with large bay window, a fireplace and French doors to a conservatory.

Prenton, Pounds 229,950

BOASTING stunning views across to Liverpool, this four-bedroom house has much to offer. Inside, the property benefits from gas central heating and double glazing.

Wallasey, Pounds 275,000

BOASTING sea views, no chain and planning permission for a two bedroom, two-storey side extension, this house has much to offer. The property comprises a vestibule, dining hall, front lounge, rear sitting room with patio doors, breakfast room and kitchen.

Join a Style Revolution ; Gabrielle Fagan Finds the Perfect Antidote to 'Home Hangovers' in Atlanta Bartlett's New Book, Easy Elegance

ABOUT this time of year, many of us start to get a home hangover. This distressing complaint is contracted after months of overdosing on glossy interior magazines, fussing over trends and stressing over styles. The symptoms include feeling totally dissatisfied with your rooms and an urgent need to go shopping and splurge on homeware.

Country Elegance

Mix old and new with big, squashy armchairs and sofas teamed with a modern footstool, vintage cushions and a modern floor lamp THIS is a fresh, pared-down look which has its roots in utility, rather than the traditional "picture book" cute cottage style.

Oxton, Pounds 545,000

SITUATED within walking distance of Oxton, this Victorian semi- detached town house offers spacious accommodation. Inside is a hall giving access to the main reception rooms, including a lounge with wood flooring, original sash windows and a decorative fireplace as well as a formal dining room with ornamental fireplace.

Mossley Hill, Pounds 335,000 ; Luxury Homes

ENJOYING a beautiful setting in the heart of sought-after Mossley Hill, this attractive property offers spacious family accommodation with a wealth of traditional features. Going inside, there is a welcoming reception hall complete with a staircase leading upstairs, a good-sized lounge with wood flooring and a decorative fireplace, and a dining room with a Georgian window and quarry-tiled floor.

Don't Improve - Move!

DON'T improve, move is the advice of local property agent Sutton Kersh, for people considering investing money on home improvements, rather than buying a new home in the present market. Depending on the scale of the renovation work, home improvements are normally viewed as the less expensive option to moving to a slightly larger house.

Villaricos, Almeria, South-East Spain ; Investment Opportunity

WITH July upon us, thoughts turn to sunnier climes and, still enduringly popular with Brits looking to escape to the sun, is southeast Spain. Here, you can pick up a twobedroom apartment at the Harbour Lights development, in Villaricos, on the Almeria coast, for as little as 147,500 euros, a discount of almost one third off the list price.

Monsoon Reigns [ ... ]

In Hard Times - We All Turn to the Bottle ; Fashion Victim

LADIES, brace yourselves for a beauty revelation that is so huge that it will knock your bronzed little world off its very axis. Fake tan is all washed out. Or so some would have us believe.

Girls Behaving Stylishly

THE Girls have had plenty to talk about this week, what with Beyonc looking bootylicious, the Lipsy gifting day, Madonna baring her soul (and everything else), fashion's tribute to Michael Jackson and makeup's trip to the Twilight Zone. Plus, they give you their take on the latest trends in festival fashion, Johnny Depp sends their temperatures soaring, and introduce Miss Ellie - quite possibly the world's ugliest lapdog.