Maxine Sharples, a 36-year-old resident of Liverpool, UK, embarked on an extraordinary journey when she purchased a dilapidated two-bedroom Victorian townhouse for a mere $1.
The house, which had been abandoned for 15 years, was part of the city’s “Homes for a Pound” scheme, designed to breathe new life into neglected neighborhoods.
Maxine, initially skeptical of the scheme, found herself shortlisted for a property, and in 2020, she was handed the keys to her one-pound house.
The house, however, was in a state of severe disrepair.
Water had infiltrated the structure, the brickwork was crumbling, and the windows were bricked up.
Despite these challenges, Maxine was undeterred. She saw potential in the crumbling pile of bricks and was determined to transform it into a comfortable home.
The renovation process was not without its hurdles. Maxine was required to complete the renovations within a year, using her own funds.
She had to flip the living arrangement, moving the bedrooms and bathroom downstairs, and the living and kitchen area upstairs.
The contractors she initially approached were either too expensive or unavailable for six to twelve months.
Undeterred, Maxine took matters into her own hands.
She made the house watertight by installing a new roof and removed internal walls and ceilings herself. However, the challenges kept piling up.
Funds were low, she had just gone through a breakup, and she was unemployed. At one point, she feared the house would be taken away from her.
But Maxine’s fortunes took a turn when she shared her struggles with friends.
They rallied around her, helping with the renovation and giving her the motivation to continue.
With their help, she was able to complete the upstairs renovations, allowing her to live in her kitchen for the first six months before she had enough money to complete the renovations downstairs.
The transformation of the house is nothing short of remarkable.
The old dining room became her bedroom, complete with underfloor heating and patio doors that lead directly to the yard.
The original kitchen floor space was repurposed to fit a bathroom and a staircase. The upstairs, which used to house the bedrooms and bathroom, was transformed into a beautiful open-plan living and kitchen area.
The open-plan space is Maxine’s favorite part of the house.
By removing all internal walls and the ceiling, she created a double-height space flooded with natural light.
The space is uplifting and tranquil, perfect for practicing yoga, reading, or simply chilling out. Maxine describes it as her “urban tranquil paradise.”
The renovation of the one-pound house has not only given Maxine a beautiful home but also contributed to the regeneration of the community.
The houses around her, once earmarked for demolition, have been restored in keeping with the area’s character.
The “Homes for a Pound” scheme has breathed new life into the neighborhood, transforming it into a vibrant community.
Maxine’s journey shows her resilience and determination.
She acknowledges the difficulty of getting on the property ladder and feels grateful for the opportunity to live in a home she has put so much effort into. The house, she says, is priceless to her.
Check out the full house tour in the video below!
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