★★★★

featuring propertiesin Liverpool, Wirral,Sefton, West Lancsand the North West

Claire and her goaliehusband love all thatfestive sparkle – Page 3

Bring thebloomsintoyourhomefora fun feature

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BIGPROPERTYGUIDEEC

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MyFirstHomewithJuiceFMpresenterLeanneCampbell

Pages packedwith homesand interiors

12Just forkicksJust forkicksClaire and her goaliehusband love all thatfestive sparkle – Page 3

PROPERTY Saturday, December 18, 20102 ★★★★

time. But he adds,the reverse can betrue if the guardianfancies livingsomewhere else.

Ad Hoc ensureseach property hastoilets, showers,cooking facilities,mains water, gas andelectricity, but other-wise the guardiansare responsible forkiting out theaccommodation tosuit theirrequirements. Few, ifany, structural

changes are made.Children and pets

are not allowed.Richard admits that he is in a

lucky position. He has a home inFrance where he has the option tomove once everything in hispersonal life is sorted.

“Though I may stay on with thescheme. It’s cost effective living. Iwas first person here so it was a biteerie at first when all the windowswere still boarded up, it was likeHammer House of Horrors. But yousoon get used to it and, when othersmove in, it becomes a community.”● To find out more about AdHoc, contact Marie Taylor on0151 236 6061, email m.taylor@adhoc.eu or visit www.adhoc.eu

which was marvellous. There wereself contained flats designed forolder people but the council wasrunning the scheme down, I think,or rehousing people in moremodern premises.

“It’s protection by occupation.”Richard, a service controller for a

major clearing bank, pays £180 permonth (it can be around £300 inLondon) which is not rent, but alicence fee to act as propertyguardian.

It is made clear, he says, that youdo not have tenants’ rights, to avoidthe problem of not being able to getpeople out, and you can be giventwo weeks’ notice to move at any

Contents

Homeof theWeekVictorian gem in Wavertree, onthe market for £330,000 8

GUIDE ... tobuying

AintreeandFazakerley7

Topof

theclass

Topof

theclass

SECURE:Richard andthe school’sotheroccupants actas propertyguardian atthe disusedbuilding

ROOMY: Richard Evans stands in the old gym at Holy Trinity school,Formby, which is now his temporary home Pictures: GARETH JONES

INSPIRED: Richard thought thescheme was too good to be true

Janet Tansley findsout how being theguardian of an emptybuilding saved one manfrom having to sleep onhis friends’ settees

ON A mission to findsomewhere to live thatdidn’t cost the earth,Richard Evans madesure he did his

homework.Now he’s found a new home

which is in a class of its own.Thanks to a pioneering scheme

which allows people to take upresidence in old and emptyproperties to deter vandalism, the54-year-old’s latest address is HolyTrinity CE primary school,Lonsdale Road, Formby.

“It is quite bizarre, living in aschool,” admits Richard. “But it’sinteresting and an adventure too.

“At first when I found out aboutthe scheme I thought it was toogood to be true, but it’s not, and ithas been an absolute Godsend.”

The scheme has seen a range ofpeople from lawyers, bank workers,nurses, trainee doctors andsecurity guards signing up tobecome property guardians.

Aged from 20 to 60, they pay aslittle as £30 a week in return forliving in properties such as formerchurches, vicarages, schools andtower blocks which are unoccupied.

Founded in Holland, thecompany behind the scheme is AdHoc and Liverpool is one of the firstcities in the UK where it has beenlaunched, with clients alreadyincluding Liverpool’s AnglicanDiocese and Roman CatholicArchdiocese, and WirralPartnership Homes, which haveasked the company to manage anumber of their empty properties.

Among them St Aidan’s Churchin Speke, St Winifred’s Presbyteryin Oriel Road, and the Church of StMargaret of Antioch primaryschool in Toxteth. Other buildingsbeing looked after include high risetower blocks in Seacombe andWallasey for Wirral PartnershipHomes.

Marie Taylor, branch managerfor Ad Hoc in the north west, says:“We are finding the scheme worksreally well for both our clients andour guardians.

“For clients, it offers them thepeace of mind that their vacantbuildings are being looked after at afraction of the cost of traditionalsecurity charges and helping tocombat the growing scourge ofsquatters, while for the guardians itprovides some unique places to liveeither on their own or with a groupof like-minded people.”

She says guardians vary frompeople who can’t get their foot onthe property ladder to people whoprefer a more nomadic way of life.

For Richard, like many, it wasseparation from his wife that lefthim looking for a new home.

He says: “Sadly, I separated frommy wife over a year ago. When itfirst happened I was living withfriends on settees etc, which wasnot ideal.

“I had to keep bills going for myfamily – I have a 10-year-olddaughter and a 15-year-old son – soI wanted somewhere reasonableand went on the internet to look atflat shares. Ad Hoc popped up. Atfirst I thought it was too good to betrue but it was dead straight.

“The first premises I lived in wasan old people’s home in Hoylake,

Whylive in...?4-5Interiors

Add some seasonal sparkle

Saturday, December 18, 2010 PROPERTY 3★★★★

GUIDE ... todecorating

A NEW mortgage,designed to give localhome buyers anopportunity of a loanto cover up to 95% ofthe price of aproperty, has beenlaunched by FurnessBuilding Society.

The FamilyMortgage enablesparents or anotherfamily member tohelp young people toget a start on theproperty ladder ormove up it byeffectively acting asguarantors for part ofthe mortgage sum,without handing overany of their own cash.

The mortgage isaimed at local familiesand all applicants mustattend a meeting witha mortgage adviser atthe local FurnessBuilding Societybranch at 18 CastleStreet, Liverpool.

Ian Bell, FBSgeneral manager(marketing anddevelopment)explains: “Lots ofparents or otherfamily members wantto help young peoplewith home purchasesbut it can prove quitea complicated businesswith secondmortgages or handingover money from theirown savings to helpbridge the gapbetween the mortgageand the cost of theproperty.”

The FamilyMortgage of up to 95%of the purchase priceconsists of twoelements; up to 75% isagainst the value ofthe property beingpurchased, while upto 20% isguaranteed bythe buyer’s

family member usingeither a savingsaccount with thesociety, or by thesociety having firstcharge on aproportion of thevalue of their ownproperty as security.

A 5% cash depositmust be available tocomplete purchase.

So, for example,someone seeking tobuy a property valuedat £200,000 could,subject to normalconditions, be offereda mortgage on theproperty of £190,000(95%) with 75%(£150,000) of the loanagainst the propertyvalue, and 20%(£40,000) offered withthe security providedby the familymember’s own home,or by £40,000 in anFBS access account.

A £10,000 (5%)deposit wouldcomplete the purchaserequirement.

The interest rate forthe Family Mortgage is3.99%, which is at adiscounted rate 1.45%below the standardvariable rate(currently 5.44%).After 3 years it willrevert to the standardvariable interest rate.The minimum totalmortgage loan is£20,000 and themaximum is £250,000.● For details, call in atFurness BuildingSociety at 18 CastleStreet, Liverpool, call0800 220568, log on towww.furness-bs.co.ukor email ask@furness-bs.co.uk

Mortgage tokeep it all inthe family

by JANET TANSLEY

Claireandco loveputtingon theglitzMOST people

dedicate a fewhours to putputting up theChristmas

decorations – but it’s a wonderradio presenter ClaireSimonsen doesn’t need to bookan entire week off work!

For while her children areexcited about Christmas, it’snothing compared with her.

“The house looks like agrotto,” laughs Claire, whohelps brighten up mornings aspart of Rado City’s Rossie & CoBreakfast Show team.

Claire, who is married toSteven Simonsen, former

Everton and Tranmeregoalkeeper – who now plays forSheffied United – giggles:“Steve used to hate Christmas,he was like the Grinch. Nowhe’s as bad as me and I’ll oftenpop out and come back to findHE’S put another tree up.”

Their five bedroom home isin Ainsdale, where Claire wasborn and raised.

“I used to do my paper roundon the road we now live on andit was where I always used tothink I’d love to live one day.”

Claire and Steve moved to the

house with children Michael,seven, and Melodie, five, aboutfour years ago, unfortunately tohelp care for Claire’s latefather.

But they love the house andshe says: “It’s ideal now. It’sround the corner from mymum and near my brother, andthe kids are settled at school.”

Although she likes a bit ofsparkle, Claire reckons thehouse is far from astereotypical footballer’s home.It’s modern without being toominimalist, the living room iscream but with strong goldsand blacks and the dining roomis “sparkly”. “It sounds

disgusting but it’s not,” saysClaire.

Come Christmas, though,and that “bit of sparkle” turnsinto an abundance.

“We’ve got loads ofdecorations in every room andlights, inside and outside; youcan see the house from milesaway.

“It’s what I was used to whenI was growing up – it’s mymother’s fault! She’s as bad asme.

“The kids absolutely love it.We visit every grotto we canbut people do wonder whywhen we could just comehome.”

SEASONAL SPARKLE: The lounge, above is just the starting point. Thedecorating fun continues in the kids’ bedrooms, insets, and outside, left

HELPINGHAND: IanBell ofFurnessBuildingSociety

PROPERTY Saturday, December 18, 20104 ★★★★

Time toaddaTis the season to add a

touch of fashionablesparkle to your home –and it helps that jewel-coloured homeware is

currently a big trend in theinteriors world.

Everyone loves jewels atChristmas but this decor trend isset to last throughout 2011.

We asked Eve Kelly, pictured,editor of the websiteHomesAndBargains.co.uk, todiscover her top picks.

So, to inject that luxuriouslook into your pad, without aprice tag worthy of the crownjewels, bag some bargain gemswith these opulent eye-catchers.◆ For budget homeware ideasand advice on interior trendswhich won'tbreak the bank,visitwww.homesandbargains.co.uk

GUIDE ... to interiors

MyFirstHOME

JuiceFMpresenterLeanneCampbellWhere was the family home you grew upin and what was it like?I grew up in Walton in a three bed semi wheremy mum, dad and younger brother still live. Wemoved there when I was five, 24 years ago and Iwould be devastated if my parents moved! It’swhere the whole family come together for thegood times and the bad.

What is your clearest memory of thehouse?I have so many! We once had an eagle land inour garden. It was taking part in a display atWalton Park about 20 years ago and flew away. Iwent outside to play and ended up face to facewith this huge, angry bird. I also remember beingevacuated because workmen found a bomb fromthe war in our street!

Where was the first house you boughtyourself and what did it cost?I have recently sold my first house and it was soemotional. It was in the lovely Ship Roads inWalton and we paid £85,000 for it.

What made you want to buy it?They are beautiful big old terrace houses and Iloved how they were named after famous ships.All the residents are so proud of their housesand there was a great sense of community – plusit was a stone’s throw from my parents, sisterand best friend.

What are the important things you lookfor when buying a house?It sounds so serious but now I have a baby it’s allabout the local school. Plus I do believe you geta feeling for a house as soon as you walk in andit’s important to go with your instinct.

Are you a DIY trier or do you leave it tothe experts?Ha ha ha! My husband and I are both useless.We can’t hang a picture between us. We usuallycall my dad or his. Definitely leave it to theexperts.

What is the one thing you love mostabout your current home?I am back in my mum and dad's for a few weeksbefore we get into our new home so at themoment I am loving the food and the fun. Mumhas a full house with me, my hubby and babyJoseph but I think she is loving it. We will have afantastic Christmas just like when I was younger.

by JANET TANSLEY

byGABRIELLE FAGAN

LIGHT FANTASTIC: From left, jewel shaped red tealight holder, £7 for two; red barrel glass vase,£10 and red reactive ceramic vase, £10, all from Asda (www.asda.co.uk / 0500 100 055). Titaniaanodised aluminium table lamps, below left, £14.98 each, B&Q (www.diy.com / T: 0845 850 0175)and below right, bauble door wreath, £10, Tesco (available in-store only)

Saturday, December 18, 2010 PROPERTY 5★★★★

seasonalspark

WINDOW SHOPPING: Add some colour with a made-to-measure Roman blind, from £24, Tuiss Blinds (www.tuiss.co.uk)

FIR TRADE: Blue tinsel tree,30cm tall, £1, Tesco(www.tesco.com)

WAX WORKS: Silk Road glassfilled candle £15, Marks & Spencer(www.marksandspencer.com)

▲

▲

▲

TEAL APPEAL: Tealbauble, £1.74, Wilkinson(www.wilkinsonplus.com/ 0845 608 0807)

▲

SOFT SELL: RaniaCushions, £18.95each from Myakka,www.myakka.co.uk

PROPERTY Saturday, December 18, 20106 ★★★★

Whattodointhegardenthisweek

HOTGUIDE ... tooutside

● Buy your pot plants forChristmas, but watch out forplants which have beenstanding in the open onmarket stalls and outsideshops, as they may have comefrom a warm greenhouse intothe cold, so probably won’tlast long once they’re backindoors.● Continue to takehardwood cuttings of trees,shrubs and climbers.● If the soil is workable,

continue winter digging andfork over vacant ground tohelp reduce the chance ofpests.● Send off for seedcatalogues.● Save prunings of apple andpear trees to use as twiggysupports for perennials inspring and summer.● Prune ornamental vines.● Tidy up greenhouse plantsand water them sparingly.● Move your winter

containers and permanentcontainer plants to where theycan be seen, around the frontdoor or out on the patio.● Clear away any remainingleaves or debris which may besheltering slugs and snails.● Spend a morning clearingup the shed and cleaninggarden tools for the winter.● Continue to harvestBrussels sprouts, parsnips andleeks, storing them in the sheduntil needed.

HaveaberryChristmasShe has created

arrangements for everyonefrom the likes of KirstieAllsopp to the PrimeMinister and the Royal

Family, so acclaimed florist JudithBlacklock knows more than mostabout how to gain the most impactfor a room from foliage and flowers.

An author of nine best-sellingbooks on floral design, Judith hasrecently completed a number ofChristmas courses at her flowerschool in London, featuringeverything from traditional festivewreath-making to morecontemporary designs.

“Like the pleasure of eatingvegetables you have grown fromseed, I love creating designs withflowers and foliage from mygarden,” Judith explains.

Here are three easy-to-createseasonal arrangements:

AWESOME ANEMONES“This pretty design is a

wonderful way to use up anybroken flower stems together witha fresh bunch of flowers,”she says. “Spray gardenfoliage gold, silver orplatinum for somecheap and chicfestive glamour.”

You will need:● A circularglass container andseparate circularglass vase.● Six tea lights inholders.● Six red anemones.● Ivy sprayed gold.● 20 stems anemones.● Eight cones sprayed gold andthreaded with wire.

Method:1. Fill the containers with water.2. Place the tea-light holders at

HOLLY epitomises the festiveseason, either outdoorswhere it is often adornedwith bright red berries, orused in wreaths on frontdoors or in Christmasdecorations inside.

Hollies are tough, hardytrees and shrubs and thereare many varieties of them,with spiny or smoothleaves, natural green orvividly variegated.

If you want berries, youhave to plant a male with afemale of the same species,unless you grow Ilexaquifolium “JC van Tol”, aself-fertile variety with redberries and almostspine-free leaves.

If you want orangeberries, choose Iaquifolium “Amber”, whilethose bearing yellowberries include “Bacciflava”and “Pyramidalis FructuLuteo”, which keep theirberries into springbecause the birds preferred ones.

Hollies are slow-growingbut are not fussy about soiltype and situation, although

variegated types need somesun and you should add peatwhen planting. Shrubs should

be pruned in summer,while hedges should betrimmed back in spring.

Bestof theBunchHolly(Ilex)

GoodenoughtoeatBrusselssproutsYEARS ago, Brussels sproutsgained a bit of a badreputation because itwas said that kidsdidn’t like them, theywere often servedovercooked and endedup being left at theside of dinner platesnationwide onChristmas Day.

But things havechanged. Most peoplenow realise that you don’t have toboil them to death and they don’t

have to be plain and boring. Mixthem with crispy baconlardons or cookedchestnuts and they make atasty addition toChristmas dinner.

Sprouts are ready forharvesting from Octoberonwards but somevarieties, such as“Braveheart” and“Cascade”, areparticularly noted for

their “standing time”, which isgreat if you want to pick little and

often over the winter.Harvest them when the

sprouts are tightly closed buttons,starting at the bottom of the stalkand either pulling them off withyour fingers or cutting them offwith a sharp knife. At the sametime, remove any yellowing foliageor open sprouts. It is said that ifyou pick them after a frost theywill taste sweeter.

In cold weather, uproot wholeplants and leave them outside thekitchen door, to pick them offwhen you need them.

regular intervals around thecircular container. Insert thecandles.

3. Cut six anemone heads short,just below the ring of foliagenearest to the flower.

4. Place the vase in the centre ofthe circular container. Add stems ofivy that you have dusted with goldspray, being sure to remove all theleaves beneath the water level.

5. Thread the anemones throughthe ivy into the water.

6. Twist florists’ wires around thelower bracts of the cones and twistagain to form stalks. Arrange theseat intervals between the flowers.

PHORMIUM FANCY“Purple and cream variegated

phormium grows like weed in mygarden,” says Judith. “Its evergreenleaves are tough, easilymanipulated and last well when in,or even out of, water, so they are the

floral designer’s dreamingredient. I love their

architectural lines,which look

especiallypleasing curledsnail-likearound thisvase.”

You willneed:

● Phormiumleaves.

● One rose.● Two stems of spray roses.● A few stems of holly withberries from the garden.● A shallow glass container.

Method:1. Starting from the edge of the

container, twist the leaves aroundin ever decreasing circles, until you

reach the very middle.2. Pour water into the vase, until

it is two-thirds full.3. Cut the large rose head, leaving

about 5cm of stem. Place this in thecentre of the container, allowing thephormium to support it.

4. Repeat step three with thespray roses and holly.

HEAVENLY HOLLY VASE“To give this traditional

Christmas staple a contemporaryupdate, I have ’drowned’ some

sprigs in a vase of water. The watermagnifies the leaves and berries, soa little goes a long way.”

You will need:● Several branches of berriedholly. Other fruiting plants that areboth eye-catching under water andwill decompose slowly include

skimmia, cotoneaster,pyracantha, ivy ladenwith black berries, andbranches of crab apples.● Physalis (Chineselantern) seed heads. Thisis an easy-to-growbiennial that is happy indeep shade.● A tall, round glasscylinder vase.

● A round dish –preferably with two

sides with a holein the centre, likea moat, but you

could simply placethe glass container in

the centre of a low glass bowl.● Eight tea lights in holders.

Method:1. Ensure your containers are

scrupulously clean.2. Pour water into the tall vase

until it is three-quarters full.3. Cut the stems of the holly and

immerse. Push a couple right to thebottom of the vase, then keepadding sprigs on top of each untilthe vase is full. Be careful not toadd too many or the simplicity willbe lost. The weight of the berrieswill stop them rising to the surface.

4. Place the tea lights and theirholders at regular intervals aroundthe circular dish.

5. Fill the gaps between the tealights with the physalis heads.

6. Remember to change the waterdaily and your holly will last forweeks.

PETAL POWER: Judith’s Awesome Anemones creation

byHANNAH STEPHENSON

Saturday, December 18, 2010 PROPERTY 7★★★★

Why live in...GUIDE ... toneighbourhoods

Aintree/Fazakerley??

STANDING on thefringes of Liverpool,where the citycouncil boundariesmeet Sefton and

Knowsley, stands Fazakerley.A little further north, withinSefton’s suburbs, is Aintree.

These two areas are filledwith a variety of housingareas, from terraced houseslining the main streets andside avenues to more modernsemi-detached and detachedhousing, along with flats.

Aintree is home to theGrand National and, as such,is a famous name to peopleall over the world who lovetheir horse racing, whileFazakerley is well-known tothose on Merseyside for itshospital.

The hospital, now knownas University HospitalAintree, is a teachinghospital for the University ofLiverpool, providinghealthcare for the residentsof South Sefton, NorthLiverpool and Kirkby. Thehospital also houses the

Walton Centre, the UK’s onlyNHS Trust for neuroscienceand neurosurgery.

Fazakerley is classed aspart of Liverpool but,unusually, some ofFazakerley is actually inKnowsley – often called theField Lane Estate.

Aintree Racecourse firstopened in 1829 and attractsracegoers from across thecountry each April to see theGrand National which iswatched worldwide by anestimated televised audienceof over 600m viewers.

The course also sometimeshosts motor racing and has anine-hole golf course and adriving range within itsboundaries.

There are two railwaystations serving the Aintreearea. Aintree Station isopposite the racecourse andserves the Warbreck Moorarea and the housing areasthat border the racecourse.

The other station is OldRoan, near to the Switch

Island motorway junction.This station provides a vitallink to the housing estatesoff Copy Lane and Altway.

There are local shops bothat Warbreck Moor and OldRoan, while in-between thetwo stations is theRacecourse Retail Park.

A new business village hasrecently been set up atStonebridge Park inGillmoss in the Fazakerleyarea. This boasts animpressive landscapedenvironment with waterfeatures and is attractingnew business to the area.

There are also plans forthe creation of a Sports andNature Park, with footballpitches, changing rooms, afishing lake, reed bed andwinter garden, over atFazakerley Playing Fields onLongmoor Lane. So this iscertainly an area that is inthe midst of regeneration.

Aintree and Fazakerleycome under both the L9 andL10 postal districts. Recentproperty sales in L9 haveranged in price from £70,000to £109,995 for a mixture ofterraced and semi-detachedproperties.

In L10 recently, sales havebeen between £77,000 and£190,000 – all forsemi-detached properties.

Both Aintree andFazakerley have proven to bepopular areas with homebuyers, due to the range ofaffordable housing offeredalong with the benefits ofbeing close to shops, schoolsand transport links.

They’re close enough tothe city to have easy access,but are suburban enough tooffer a good location for afamily home.

THEY’RE OFF: The area is home to the world-famous Grand National. Inset top, Old Roan shops; inset bottom, the Racecourse Retail Park Main picture courtesy Aintree Racecourse

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PROPERTY Saturday, December 18, 20108 ★★★★

by JANET TANSLEY

On theMarket

HOMEof theWeek

Periodhomewithall themodern comfortsIT’S no wonder Venmore’s

are shouting about thislittle beauty – it’s a realgem.

The Victorian midterrace is all aboutunderstated elegance.

From the outside, it has allthe grandeur andsophistication of a bygone age.

Yet inside, while retainingthe charm of a period proerty,it has every modernconvenience and all theluxuries expected of livingtoday.

The property – which boastsan entrance hall, lounge,dining room, kitchen/diner,three bedrooms (master withen-suite) and a familybathroom – has beencompletely refurbished.

It stands in a prime positionin Wavertree between ChurchRoad and Prince Alfred Road

and is definitely worth acloser inspection.

The sizeable lounge has abay window and wooden floor,the latter continued in anequally spacious dining room.

The kitchen/diner has arange of contemporary whitegloss wall, drawer and baseunits with chrome fittings andblack roll-top work surfaces.

There is a gas hob andintegrated electric oven andtiled floor.

A door leads from thekitchen into the utility room,which has a range of unitswith integrated stainless steelsink and drainer unit and atiled floor, and there is also astore room

Downstairs, too, is a wc.There is a split level

landing, from which lead thethree main bedrooms.

Bedroom one has a featurefireplace and bay window and

its en-suite has a walk-inshower unit, pedestal washhand basin, low level wc,chrome towel radiator and

tiled floor and walls. Bedroomthree also has a featurefireplace.

The family bathroom has apanelled bath, walk-in showerunit, pedestal wash basin,tiled floor and walls, and achrome towel rail radiator.

There is also a separate wcwith wall mounted washbasin.

On the upper floor is a storeroom with small skylightwindow and a large fourthbedroom.

Outside, there is off-roadparking to the front of theproperty and a charming,decked courtyard at the rear.

The property is for salewith Venmore’s, priced£330,000.● For further details contactVenmore’s Allerton office, on0151 733 9000 or log on to thewebsite: www.venmores.co.uk

● MORTGAGElending looks set

to fall to its lowestlevel for more thanthree decades during2011 with first-timebuyers particularlyhard hit, a trade bodyhas warned.

Net lending, whichstrips out redemptionsand repayments, isexpected to total just£6bn next year, downfrom an estimated£9bn this year and£110bn in 2006, beforethe credit crunchstruck, according tothe Council ofMortgage Lenders.

The group said thefigure would be thelowest annual totalsince 1980, when themortgage market wasmuch smaller, while itwould represent themost subdued growthsince 1968.

The fall in lendinglevels is being drivenby the ongoingshortage and cost offunds, as well as mutedconsumer demand.

The situation isbeing exacerbated bythe fact banks willhave to repay theremaining £130bn theyborrowed through thegovernment’s SpecialLiquidity Scheme bythe end of next year.

The CML added thatthe Financial ServicesAuthority’s ongoingmortgage marketreview continued to bea “major andunhelpful source ofuncertainty” for theindustry, as lendersdid not know when itwould issue firm rules,or whether it wouldmodify its current“excessivelyrisk-averse approach”.

The CML said:“From April next yearonwards, lenders willbegin to have to repaythe funding advancedthrough officialsupport schemes.

“This is likely tolimit the availability ofcredit to supportmortgage lending nextyear, and beyond.”

The group warnedthat with funding inshort supply, theavailability ofmortgages forfirst-time buyerswould remain“limited”.

The CML is notpredicting a sharp fallin house prices,although it expects therecent weakness topersist for somemonths.

SLEEKANDMODERN:The kitchenhas fullyfitted unitsandappliances

STYLE AND FUNCTION: The Victorian exterior of this house in Wavertree is complemented by a fine parquet floor and modern bathrooms

Saturday, December 18, 2010 PROPERTY 9★★★★

CHOICEAgents’ Liverpool

Sefton Park, £225,000SITUATED just a stone’s throw fromSefton Park, this stunning penthouseapartment is set within a delightfulVictorian conversion within walkingdistance of the amenities of Lark Lane.

The accommodation is spread overthree floors and briefly comprises aself-contained entrance hall and anattractive open-plan lounge which has akitchen and separate dining area.

The kitchen is fully fitted with a goodrange of units, complementary worksurfaces and integrated appliances.

There is also a guest bedroom and aprincipal family bathroom on this floor,with another bedroom on an upper floor.

Downstairs there is a master suitewhich includes a good-sized bedroom andan en-suite shower room.

Outside there are communal gardensand an allocated parking space.● Venmores, 0151 733 9000

Allerton, £129,950LOCATED in a popular residential area,this two bedroom end-terraced property isextremely well presented and would makean ideal home for a first-time buyer or aninvestor.

Inside, there is a reception hall, a good-sized lounge which has attractivelaminate flooring and a feature fireplace,a downstairs wc and a fitted kitchen/diner which has a comprehensive rangeof white high gloss units, contrastingwork tops and fully integrated appliances,as well as a separate dining area.

Upstairs there is a landing, two well-proportioned bedrooms and a principalfamily bathroom.

To the exterior there are delightfulfront and rear gardens and a drivewayproviding off-road parking.● Venmores, 0151 733 9000

MossleyHill, £219,950ENJOYING a popular residential setting,this semi-detached house has a drivewayand garage to the front and extensivelawned gardens to the rear.

Inside, the property has a receptionhall, a front lounge and a rear loungewhich has a feature fireplace and Frenchdoors leading out to the gardens.

To complete the ground floor, there is afully fitted kitchen which comes completewith matching units, complementarywork surfaces and integrated appliances.

Moving upstairs, the master bedroomhas fitted wardrobes and there are twofurther well-proportioned bedrooms.

A principal family bathroom finishesthe property and includes a panelled bathand a separate step-in shower cubicle.● Your Move Matthews, 0151 734 4911

Walton,£156,750OFFERING well-proportionedaccommodation, this detached propertyoffers ideal space for a family.

On the ground floor there is anentrance hall, a spacious lounge with afeature fireplace and a rear lounge whichhas French doors leading outside.

There is also a cosy morning room anda fully fitted kitchen which has granitework surfaces, integrated appliances anda breakfast island.

On the first floor, there are three good-sized bedrooms and a main familybathroom, while on the second floor thereis a fourth bedroom and a storage room.

Outside, there is a block paved gardento the rear with a decking area.

The property also benefits from doubleglazing and gas central heating.● Entwistle Green, 0151 525 9050

Walton,£249,950OFFERED for sale with the benefit of noongoing chain, this delightful detachedproperty offers extremely spaciousaccommodation which boasts a wealth oftraditional features.

Inside, on the ground floor there is areception hall, a good sized lounge with afeature fireplace and a formal diningroom which also has a feature fireplace.

There is also a study with French doorsto outside, a cloakroom/wc, a utility roomand a fully fitted kitchen which has aselection of solid wood units, contrastingwork surfaces and integrated appliances.

To the first floor, there are four well-proportioned bedrooms, a principalfamily bathroom and a study area.

On the second floor is a fifth bedroom.Outside, there is off-road parking, a

garage and a block paved garden.● Davis Beyga Estates, 0845 834 0388

Broadgreen,£275,000OFFERING luxurious accommodationfinished to an extremely high standard,viewing is highly recommended of thisattractive semi-detached property.

Outside, there is a sweeping drivewayproviding ample off-road parking as wellas landscaped gardens to front and rear.

Inside, a light and airy entrance hallgives access to the main reception rooms.These include a fabulous lounge whichhas wood flooring and a fireplace, asitting room with a traditional fireplaceand French doors leading outside and agames room. There is also a cloakroom/wc, utility room and a fully fittedcontemporary kitchen.

Upstairs, two of the bedrooms havefitted wardrobes, and there is a thirdbedroom and a master suite whichincludes a good sized bedroom anden-suite shower room, as well as a familybathroom and a fifth bedroom.● Davis Beyga Estates, 0845 834 0388

Huyton,£175,000SET within a sought-after cul-de-sac, thisdelightful detached property offers well-proportioned and well-plannedaccommodation.

On the ground floor, there is a receptionhall, a wc, a spacious lounge which hasattractive laminate flooring and Frenchdoors leading outside and a formal diningroom which has marble tiled flooring.

There is also a fully fitted kitchen witha good range of maple units, contrastingwork tops, integrated appliances, a featurebreakfast bar and marble tiled flooring.

A conservatory with French doors outto the gardens completes the ground floor.

Upstairs, the master bedroom has fittedwardrobes and an en-suite shower room,while there are three additional bedroomsand a family bathroom.● Entwistle Green, 0151 220 4443

Garston, £109,950SITUATED close to the amenities ofGarston village, this attractive mid-terraced property benefits from gardensto the front and rear.

Inside, there is an entrance hall whichgives access to the main reception rooms.These include a well-proportioned loungewhich has a feature cast iron fireplaceand a French door leading outside to thegarden at the rear, plus a formal diningroom.

There is also a fully fitted kitchenwhich completes the ground floor.

To the first floor, two of the three good-sized bedrooms have fitted wardrobes,and to finish the accommodation there isa family shower room.

The property also benefits from doubleglazing throughout.● Sutton Kersh, 0151 734 0666

PROPERTY Saturday, December 18, 201010 ★★★★

CHOICEAgents’ Lettings

Heswall, £950pcmSITUATED in the heart of lower Heswallvillage, this charming three bedroomcottage is available unfurnished.

Inside, the spacious cottage comprisesan enclosed porch, an extensive 21ftlounge/dining room with a featureexposed chimney breast and open fire anda fully fitted modern kitchen which has acomprehensive range of cream units withcontemporary chrome handles,complementary work surfaces andintegrated appliances.

A downstairs wc and a conservatorywith French doors leading outsidecomplete the ground floor.

The first floor has a landing, threebedrooms and a bathroom.

Outside there is a block paved drive, agarage and delightful gardens.● Reeds Rains, 0151 342 6386

Wallasey, £395pcmOFFERING a newly fitted kitchen andbathroom, this mid-terraced property hastwo bedrooms.

Inside, there is a good sized lounge anda newly fitted kitchen on the ground floor,while upstairs there are two well-proportioned bedrooms and a newly fittedmodern bathroom.

The property benefits from gas centralheating, double glazing, carpets, laminateand tiled flooring, storage and a rearpaved yard.

The property is ideally situated close toall local amenities including thewaterfront promenade.● Let’s Go Properties, 0151 630 5888

Tranmere, £450pcmFORMING part of a purpose-built moderndevelopment, there is a selection of twobedroom first and second floorapartments available to rent.

The development is well situated closeto local amenities and schools.

Inside, the apartments briefly comprisean open plan lounge/dining room with afully fitted kitchen, two well-proportionedbedrooms and a modern bathroom withshower over the bath.

The properties also benefit from whitegoods in the kitchen, electric heating,double glazing, allocated parking, entryphone system, lift and stunning views.● Martin & Co, 0151 632 3255

OldSwan,£435pcmLOCATED within the sought-after area ofOld Swan, this two bedroom mid-terracedproperty is situated close to a range oflocal amenities.

Inside, there is an entrance hall whichleads into a superb open plan living room.There is also a fully fitted kitchen and afamily bathroom.

To the first floor there are two well-proportioned bedrooms.

The property also benefits from gascentral heating.

Viewing is highly recommended.● PLA Lettings, 0151 525 5785

Netherton, £550pcmSET in the sought-after residential area ofNetherton, this attractive three bedroomend-terraced property is well positionedfor all local amenities including schools,shops and parks and has excellenttransport links to the city centre.

Inside, the property has a spaciouslounge, a sitting room and a fully fitteddining kitchen to the ground floor, wherethere is also access to delightful gardensat the rear.

Upstairs there are three well-proportioned bedrooms, and a modernfamily bathroom completes theaccommodation.

The property also benefits from gascentral heating, double glazing, a garageand off-road parking.● PLA Lettings, 0151 525 5785

City centre, £625pcmSITUATED in the heart of Liverpool citycentre, this two bedroom apartment islocated within the popular Circle 109development close to shops, bars andrestaurants.

Inside, there is a self-containedentrance hall which leads into the openplan living room and kitchen, which isfully fitted in a modern style.

There are two well-proportionedbedrooms and a modern family bathroom.The master bedroom has an en-suiteshower room.

The apartment is offered for rent fullyfurnished and comes with secureallocated parking.● Venmores, 0151 236 4400

Fazakerley, £500pcmBOASTING delightful gardens to the frontand rear, this attractive three bedroomend terraced property offers good sizedaccommodation ideal for a family.

Inside, there is a reception hall, a well-proportioned lounge and a sitting room,as well as a fully fitted kitchen.

Upstairs, there are three bedrooms, allof a good size, and a modern familybathroom completes the accommodation.

The property is available on a rent tobuy basis, which means that the tenant’srent can count towards the deposit on theproperty, with them taking ownership ofthe property at an agreed price and date.● Davis Beyga Estates, 0845 834 0388

Broadgreen,£750pcmENJOYING a popular residential setting,this delightful semi-detached propertyhas gardens to the front and rear as wellas ample off-road parking.

Inside, there is an entrance hall and anopen plan lounge complete with twofeature fireplaces and attractive laminateflooring.

The kitchen is fully fitted with a goodrange of units and complementary worksurfaces.

To the first floor, there are three well-proportioned bedrooms and a modernfamily bathroom which completes theaccommodation.● Davis Beyga Estates, 0845 834 0388

11HOMESSaturday, December 18, 2010

Northern Belle byOrient-Express2010/2011Departures fromLiverpool Lime Street

New Years Eve Dinner 31 Dec from £250

Mothers Day Lunch 3 April from £195

Hampton Court Palace 27 May from £295

Chelsea Flower Show 27 May from £335

Loch Lomond & the Trossachs 3 June from £295

London: Sightseeing& River Thames Cruise 21 June

& 7 July from £295

Wimbledon 21 June from £895

RHS Hampton CourtFlower Show 7 July from £315

Edinburgh & Royal

Yacht Britannia 12 Aug from £295

Edinburgh Fringe Festival 12 Aug from £295

Castle Howard 18 Aug from £295

York Ebor Races 18 Aug from £425

Hay on Wye 3 Sept from £295

Ludlow Sightseeing 3 Sept from £295

All include a glass of Champagne,table canapes and four-courselunch/dinner with half bottle ofwine per person. Day excursionsalso include a Champagne bucksfizz three-course brunch.*Table for 2 available at asupplement.

For further information and a FREE brochure

Call 0151 227 5987Or visit www.readertravelholidays.comBROUGHT TO YOU BY TRINITY MIRROR TRAVEL NORTHWEST AND NORTH WALES IN CONJUNCTION WITH:ORIENT EXPRESS NORTHERN BELLE

Treat yourself or a loved oneto a gift of luxury travelonboard the Northern Belleby Orient-Express and enjoyimmaculate service andsumptuous cuisine.

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IDEAL CHRISTMAS GIFT!

Homes 222277 33003300ECHOProperty Wanted

I WILL BUY YOUR HOUSELocal, friendly service. CallChris: 08000 811 813 (24hrs)

T R Y U S F I R S T W e b u yproperty/ land. 07976 693731

FAST CASH FOR PROPERTY0151 428 1800

AccommodationTo Let

LUXURYWATERSIDEAPARTMENTS

MARINERSWHARF2 bed apt unfurn......£450pcm1 bed apt unfurn......£400pcm

Lovely apts, riverside/marinaviews. Parking & landscaped

gardens. Popular bar & restaurant,

Contact Laura:0161 434 5225

or Mike: 07775 697796www.wrenproperties.co.uk

WALTON & AINTREEOVER 55’S ONLY1 Bed Flats to let

New build, C/heatingLift, Intercom

Elec Gates, Gardens £99pwTel: 0151 428 0226

PJM/MGSL4 The Coppice.... 3 bed houseL4 Selina Rd......... 2 bed houseL4 Anfield............. 2 bed houseL15 Jesmond St... 2 bed houseL20 Bedford Rd... 4 bed house

07788 616589

BENTLEY RD TOXTETH6 bedsemi, fully furn, CH, wood floor-ing, front and rear gdns, largespacious rooms, suit profs/s t u d e n t s / f a m i l y £ 1 5 0 p w .07884 233362

FLAT TO LET SEFTON PK2 beds. 2 Baths, Dg/Gch

New Decor, No Dss £650pcm0151 724 3755

WATERLOO superior unfurn 2bed modern apartment, seaview, lift, parking, amenities.Professionals. £525pcm, dep&refs. Tel. 01695 577957

NR SEFTON PARK CroxtethRd. 1 bed fully furnished flatwith wood flooring, gch, dg, offroad parking, £360 pcm, noDSS. 07884 233362.

W A T E R L O O , B O O T L E ,SEAFORTH & ANFIELD Furnrms & studios fm £65pw. Allbills inc bband. No Dep. NoDSS. Over 25. 0151 928 9280

WOOLTON 1 bed flat, matureperson, CH, 1 mnth dep req,£395 pcm, 07746 025709.

LITHERLAND & ANFIELD 2& 3 bed terraced houses. Dssok, no deposit req’d with g’tor0151 928 9280

AccommodationTo Let

VALE LODGE RICE LANE 1bed luxury flat, gardens, secureparking; £400pcm. 0151 2288989 or 07795 078795

WEST DERBY Abbeyfield Dr.Newly refurbed 3 bed house,gch, dg, over 25’s, g’tors, Dssok. £595pcm 07879 463042

L6 0BU Lampeter Rd. Superbspacious 3 bed terr house, gch.dg £400pcm DSS accepted. Tel:07729 175138

L4 & L6 Rooms in lux sharedhouse would suit mature personfrom £55pw all incl. No DSS.07803 082999/ 260 7980

AINTREE 2 bed house, lovely,dg, new decor, g’tor req’d£113pw 07917 227449

NEW REFURBED FLATS&Studios to let, Anfield. No DSS07727 028198

REDBROOK ST ANFIELD 2bed terr, DG, GCH, £105pw.07834 235329.

L7 1 bed flat, DG, £260 pcm,heating included. 07723 599901 or 0151 521 1229

L20 rooms to let, CH, DG, h &c, some ensuite, £70−£85 pw.All bills inc. 07940 953 280

L8 BERESFORD RD 3 bedhouse, unfurnished. £495Pcm.07966 909 369

ORRELL PK Nr Station 3 bedterrace fitted kit GCH £600pcmNo DSS 07957 636549

L11 Carr Lane 3 bed hse£ 1 1 0 p w N o D S S 0 7 8 0 3082999/ 260 7980

BOOTLE 1 & 2 bed flats. DSSok with guarantor, NO depositrequired 0151 928 9280

L6 August Rd 3 bed furn hse£430pcm suit 3 people sharing.No DSS. 0151 263 1774

L20 MOORE ST 2 bed terraceGch dg Dep reqd. £450pcmDSS ok 07525 005543

L13 3 bed det, CH, DG, alarm,£575 pcm. 07943 781178.

CLAREMONT RDL21 1 bd fltrefurb £75pw 0151 734 1112

L15 2 Bed, DHSS ok. £500.0151 356 7551

L ILLY RD L7 1 bed f lat .£75pw. 0151 734 1112

L20 2 bed, DHSS ok. £450.Call 0151 356 7551

L8 3 bed terr, dg/gch. 0151487 8777

FAZAKERLEY 2 bed house.£500Pcm 07786 554 625

WALTON 5 Bed, DHSS ok.£650. 0151 356 7551

More people in the areaturn to the LiverpoolECHO, in print andonline, when looking fora property to rent or buythan anywhere else.

Source: Gfk NOP 2008,TM NW2 10% area

227,000 people in thearea would turn tothe Liverpool ECHOwhen looking to renta property.

Source: Gfk NOP 2008,TM NW2 10% area

PROPERTY Saturday, December 18, 201012 ★★★★

At Absolute Bathrooms we NEVER use sub-contracted fitters.All our installers are employed and insured by ourselves, haveyears of professional experience and enjoy a well-earnedreputation for customer satisfaction ...come and be inspired atAbsolute Bathrooms.

■ FREE no-obligation survey and quotation

■ 'Detailed bathroom plan

■ Watertight guarantee on plumbing, tiling etc.

■ 'Supply only service for DIY experts

■ Visit us at www.absolute-bathrooms.co.uk

Be inspired by Absolute Bathrooms - visit our extensiveshowroom today and beat the January VAT increase.

0151 486 2220www.absolute-bathrooms.co.uk

Absolute Bathrooms Limited,Speke Hall Road, Hunts Cross, Liverpool L24 9HE

Showroom openMon - Fri, 9am - 5.30pm Sat 10.30am - 4pm

Secure on-site parking

WHEN INSTALLING YOURBATHROOM WE DON'T USE TOM,

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