I'm pretty sure you can apply for an extension or just make it livable. Their goal really is to just revitalize the area and you can't just have people sitting on it for long
More than likely to prevent another person from keeping it in that state for another 15 years if they allowed people to take their time and take as long as they like.
My parents shared this video to me and said go to 2:29 😦 We lived in this house in Webster Road 1998, we moved out in 1999 and as far as I am aware, no one has ever lived in that house since. I am so shocked, that was my childhood house which I thought it would get demolish one day but now it has been renovated, amazing! 👏🥺
This is a success story for a single woman who not only put the work into her dream but also survived a pandemic, the loss of her father, a shortage of specialized labor, no job, and changed her living situation... Kudos to her being now a property owner 👏
But she was a property owner before because her dad died and left her property. She sold that and that was the money she used to fix this house up. The real kicker is that the govt had all these houses wasting away for nearly two decades while there are people going homeless because of the housing shortages.
What is wrong with that? If the area is completely run down for 15 years and there is a shortage of property, the priority should be to attract investment to renovate.
@@technolinguista9845i really doubt you've ever talked to a woman other than your mother in your whole adult life. Besides, let me give you a bit of advice. Hate and envy eat you slowly from within and you end up being an empty shell. Get a life. Socialize. And reduce the self touching to once a week.
It only costs $1 BUT it costs actually a looooot more than that. She quit here full-time job, she did a lot of the renovation herself, she lived in a van…she WORKED FOR IT! ❤ You DESERVE IT! Well done!
She absolutely deserved it. I do wonder what the estimate of the house when in disarray. Then she could tack on the 74.000K in material costs. Not to mention the labor. Or the labor is included in the 74K. Anway, the house must cost a lot right now since it's fully renovated.
@@AliceswanUs yeah im surprised it's even an option, in my country they wouldn't even give you a rotting shack for 1 buck let alone a big place in a big city. amazing deal for sure
the king want it's plebe to fix his ugly kingdom,and after that,he knows like Murphy ,that something will go wrong,an would kick the lady out on the streets,this program ain't for the poor or homeless it's for the rich cats..🤑
I feel like the coolest thing about this neighborhood will be that everyone there has gone through a similar lot of renovating their homes, even if they hit contractors everyone has a common purpose and love for their individual homes that they restored. Kinda cool for community ✨
Good for her! I bet when she finally moved into the house (even if it was the kitchen), or when the lights turned on for the first time it felt amazing. One thing is I'm surprised the time limit was only a year, that's kind of insane given she basically just owned the shell of a building and people who would apply to programs like this don't have the bankroll to just hire contractors to do 100% of the work. 3-5 years would seem more reasonable to me if someone is doing it DIY.
i suppose its better than to farm it out to the building companies and people who DO have the money and resources, but would then rent it out at high prices. At least it goes to a first time house owner
Bear in mind that they didn't want people to take 3-5 years to fix these houses. Houses in bad state of repair attract vandalism, so they wanted to protect everyone's investment by getting out of that state quickly. I remember when this scheme launched. They sold whole terraced streets at a time, and didn't want to end up in a situation where someone spent £50k fixing up their house, only to have it be made worthless by the one next door not putting in the money to get the roof replaced. Normally house insurance would cover you for damage because a neighbours roof leaked, but these houses were sold as uninsurable. The 12 month restriction was aimed at getting everyone in a terrace to a point that they could The 12 month period only required that the houses be made liveable and insurable. That means watertight and dry, one functioning electric circuit, a single sink, tap and toilet plumbed in and working. Once that's in, people could take all the time they wanted making the insides nice.
Amazed to see this video! Myself and family lived in that house for eight years from 1990 until we sold it. It was actually in a good state then. Community spirit eroded in the area so we moved on. It was, like all the street eventually boarded up and left to deteriorate over the years. Great to see it looking fabulous now!
The fact that she had to sell an inherited property in order to renovate this shows that this scheme doesnt really help all that much. Very few people are going to have that kind of money on tap. Ok, so I didn't think I'd have to add context but it seems like I must. I didn't say it doesn't help at all, I said it doesn't help that much. Statistically, it is unlikely that the average individual has anything close to the amount needed to renovate. I understand that houses in the UK are expensive and this is a cheaper way but that doesn't make it fully achievable to most, still. Yes you can take out a loan but with interest rates at an all time high, how is that plausible? Take into consideration that the average individual isn't going to be financially literate, most are already in heavy debt or carrying a significant amount of debt, stretching to the limit in that they may be able to afford it in the short term but will undoubtedly be torn apart at the first unexpected repair bill. My own opinion here but I see this as a monopoly happening once again. Sure, the first time buyer clause will prevent existing landlords from purchasing but their kids or grandkids can own the home under their name but ultimately it was parents or grandparents of X that really bought the property. Dealings under the table are something that cannot be captured and so only the lucky few and the rich will have access to this. It doesn't solve the housing issue and furthermore, pushes out the less fortunate and expanding the already large landscape afforded to those lucky or "well off". Not looking to offend, just speaking out loud. 🙂
Not true. This is about regenerating the area and its possible for working people to borrow for renovation. How much depends on what condition these properties are in when people bought them. Might not need to spend as much as she did. Its still far cheaper than actually buying one that someone has lived in.
I mean we're talking UK house prices here though, so even really extensive renovations to a crumbling house would still be much cheaper than a normal house on the open market. And I'm sure her case is a rare one, I doubt there were many people in this scheme who had an inheritance ready, most people who inherit a property that's in good nick would rather either live in that property or sell it and buy a normal house on the open market. Most buyers of these homes probably got a bank loan or used savings.
You have a point and she did mention how lucky she is. At the same time, I don't think it's just all for naught. There's an impact to the area and to her, personally, I'd say!
@@braincabbage Indeed, that's why I suggest allowing local apprentice schemes to tender for the work at a discount in the case ogf these homes. Then they benefit from a real work situation and gain skills for life as well as helping the owner out and restoring a home. Win win surely?
I knew people who were forced out of these homes. They were really angry about it. The UK government did this all over the country and it was a completely exercise. They were lovely homes and a lot of them were well kept. Once they were empty the local delinquents broke in and stole everything they could for scrap. They stole the lead off the roofs, the copper pipes, the wiring and anything else they could. I drove past loads of these over the years which had been left with gaping holes in the roofs. Instead of building new houses on greenbelt land they should be renovating all the houses they left to decay.
@@GabdeVue She said that they were to demolition. I supposed that the city didn`t have money for the project and while the government were thinking what to do next houses came to a poor condition.
the 20 percent VAT on renovation work is killing housing and old buildings in the UK. I am from Glasgow, who have 750 beautiful historic buildings at risk that they have no intention of fixing but managed to find 74 million to build a transport museum miles away from where anyone actually lives.
I’m always impressed by people who take on and successfully complete major home renovations when they had no experience prior to that! I would be so terrified I would do something wrong and have the roof crashing down on me. Kudos to her and her gorgeous home!
I would be very surprised if she had much involvement in doing the roof or beams without previous experience. The building regs and planning alone would be a lot to get your head around. The machinery needed to install beams, the average diyer wouldn't have or know how to use. The house is also on Lawrence road so big problems when it comes to selling the property on due to area.
@@dinnerlady9784 She had loads of men working for her for free, so it was probably them. She already mentioned it 4 mins in but probably downplayed the extent of the work they did for her.
@@chickenmadness1732 Typical female today, so strong and independent at the backs of all the men in their lives. Dad left money, hobos and friends did the work, the city gave her land and house for a pound. She spent some 70K pounds, that's nothing. Stunning and brave.
Am I the only one who got super emotional when she said a bunch of friends and strangers came over to help her renovate the house?!? I literally cried out in pain and started sobbing, that is so touching and I'm so happy for her!! ❤
@@drk7031 well I don't know about that, but maybe LOL! Context for me is I struggled with being homeless for quite a while when I was younger, so I think in some roundabout way I was relieved she didn't have to go through a similar experience!
Really like the floor plan of this house. It is actually very similar to some bespoke design houses in Japan --- bedroom on ground floor and living/dining room on upper floors. Since bedroom is for sleeping and can be a little bit darker, while living room should capture more natural light, hence it will be better to have it on upper floors.
She got real lucky with friends willing to help her out. It sounds like she had no budget for labour. Also shows just how valuable good DIY skills are.
She did it during/coming out of the first or second lockdowns. I struggled getting a roofer in to replace mine, I then got my garage roof done the following year and prices of materials had shot up so much that the tiny garage was only £1,000 cheaper than my semi-detached house roof. My sister bought a new build, completion got pushed back 2 months because there wasn't enough wood for things like doors, architraves etc. So definitely lucky with having friends who can help with things... but even if I had no DIY skills I'd still offer my friends support. 1 because they are my friends, but 2 because you can learn skills on someone else's property before using them on your own later down the line 🤣
Beautiful story of a young woman and kudos to the guys who showed up for help. House is made of brick but its friends and families who make it a home :)
What an amazing woman. Well deserved going the full route! One has to question the city planners, though. Setting a 12 month limit for a property that is barely standing reflects a complete lack of understanding of how much work is needed, and how the marked works. Ever asked for a plumber to do some work? They'll be 10 weeks late on a 1 week project. Always.
As a scouser who literally lives five minutes away from this street I’m delighted for this incredible young lady. She deserves it she worked so hard . Well done 💕
I was living in Liverpool for university when this scheme was around. Unfortunately students couldn’t apply but it looked amazing! Good for her, glad locals got the opportunity. Better than houses sitting there empty!
@@dinnerlady9784 possibly? Id imagine there was a minimum years residency clause or something. It still improves Liverpool and creates jobs and helps local economy in its own way ie contractors trades hardware shops.
I was definitely thinking 1 year wasn't a fair timeline during the pandemic. Glad they gave you more time and your friends were willing to lend a hand and raised your spirit. I'm so impressed with your perseverance. Fantastic job 👍 Thanks for sharing. Take care from Vancouver BC 🇨🇦
Liverpool have always been forward thinking on this kind of thing. Back in the 70s, the council gave my parents a 125% mortgage, which was unheard of, through a scheme they were running. At the time they were renting in a council high-rise. This allowed my parents to finally get on the property ladder. Eventually my parents were able to leave the scheme and buy a property on their own. It took both salaries to afford it, even in the 70s, but it gave them a way to step up at the start of their married life.
That's amazing! And what a wonderful idea. I don't understand why more local governments don't facilitate homeownership or other social movement aids for their people, it sounds so joyful for all involved.
Well done Maxine! Still a work in progress but you definitely breathed new life into the property. The rule to renovate in 1 year is ridiculous though..
Kudos to that lady, but can we please talk about how quitting your full-time job AND sinking your inheritance into a massive liability generally ISN'T a good idea
I'm so happy to see that this scheme has been a success. I'm born and raised a scouser so seeing areas like this finally getting some love is a little emotional. 😅. Especially down by the old synagogue.
_I really hope Maxine comes back to this video to read all the comments. I know we're all strangers but I'm so proud of her and everything shes gotten through! shes made a beautiful living space. Im happy that her upstairs space gives her so much joy, its so bright!_ ♥
@@ge2719 And she inherited money, all the men did the work for free, so all she did was pay cheaps for a house. This is all an achievement of all the men in her life.
I'm Canadian and this is inspirational! I heard that Liverpool, U.K isn't very desirable, but watching this video, if the British Government extend the time from 12 months to an easier and stress freer 3 years to people who are on a fixed income, making under $ 60,000 , this not only gives people hope, a chance to be homeowners but helps these crumpling neighbourhoods become alive once more! Canada should do the same! Also it might bring back the middle class! Great job young lady! I'm beyond happy for you and all future Brit's who do this! 🥰🇨🇦🇬🇧
Honestly you may never know the value of that €1 you have until you go bankrupt, the bad experience I had last year really made me feel that our school curricula should contain more financial knowledge and education. It is never enough to have a good job, a huge salary and all the luxuries at your disposal. But saving money and investing it wisely is never a bad idea,... I learned how to invest, no matter how little, but life really believed me the hard way. Thank you for the nice video its always interesting to watch your content
you've remind me of what someone once said "The mind is the man, the poor is in it and the rich is it too". This sentence is the secret of most successful investors. I once attended similar and ever since then been waxing strong financially, and i most tell you the truth..investment is the key that can secure your family future.
Starting early is the best way of getting ahead to build wealth, investing remains a priority. I learnt from my last year's experience, i am able to build a suitable life because I invested early ahead this time
I urge everyone to start somewhere now no matter how small, this is literally the time for that, forget material things, don't get tempted,i became more better the moment i realized this.
yeah investment is the key to sustaining your financial longevity but venturing into any legitimate Investment without a proper guidance of an expert can lead to a great loss too
I love the style and decor upstairs. It’s totally to my taste. It’s how I’ve decorated my own place. I have a feeling she will redo the bedroom over time to bring more light, space and cosy comfort which will then extend out into the patio as a little oasis of calm. 🥰
I’m glad I pulled through, despite the crises. I am retiring next yr at 55 with 3 houses paid off worth 4.5 million. One is my place of residence the other 2 properties will give me $80,000per/yr rent . I will have an income stream of $20,000 per mnth through my super which gives me total $240,000 a yr to live comfortably. I have no debts _.._ Stay Motivated!!
Whichever firm you select, make sure you get your insurance from a reputable financial adviser, such as *Jenny Pamogas Canaya,* who has dedicated her career to financial planning. Because they will assist you in escalating, navigating better, and completing the task in a safer manner.|-|.
I am happy for her accomplishment and the renovated house looks lovely. However, it proves to me that most people would not be able to take this risk without inherited money. Would it have been possible for her to renovate the house without the money of her family? That would have been an interesting take.
If contractors had been available or she had been granted more extensions, then she probably would not have had to quit her job, but likely still would have had to live in a van. Also, if she and her partner had been together during this time, that might have helped her financial situation. The inheritance was helpful for her circumstances, but might not have been necessary otherwise.
@@jenjones90 I thunk they mean that you must prove you can get the average cost to rebuild these houses - similar to how you need a mortgage in principle often before you can buy a house. So proving that you can get a loan. Probably just worded badly
She came across as an absolute diamond, lovely and creative girl, doing all this while suffering parental loss, lockdown, breakup and job loss too. half of that would break most people, she comes out winning and smiling!
Bless this gorgeous, eloquent lady! Liverpool ppl are by far the loveliest from all the cities I've been to in the UK. I also really hope those male friends are honourable men and haven't asked for an unreasonable payback.
@@beverlybradley5485 exactly. It’s a whole different currency. I don’t know why they had her say $1. Are they concerned people won’t understand that this is a different country to the USA so their money is different? Then again…
There was a BBC tv series about the 1pound homes experiment. It really showed the sense of community in building these places together. Sadly, it also showed the places being broken into and all of the work stolen, with homeowners having to start over
I really like that she swapped the floors so her open living spaces have double height ceilings. Adding a utility area at the top of the stairs was genius. Handles laundry, plant care, messy food prep. She's got a marvelous setup.
The estimation of 60000 for renovating sounds way way way too low. The nerve to leave houses to rot for 15 years and then say 'but you only have 1 year'. The audacity.
All first time property owners take on 'expensive risks.' My first property involved just as many--if not more--risks than what is described here. I put down 250K for a property. Then, still had to do systemic renovations. AND had to make it live-able without the benefit of a government program. Did it in 3 months.
@@swicheroo1 "AND had to make it live-able without the benefit of a government program" yeah, having a quarter million to drop on a property that was worth that price sounds so risky, compared to this where you spend £1 on a house that they should be paying her to take off their hands, and the risk being they can just take it back off her even if she spent every penny she has on it. Was someone going to take away the thing you paid for? thats not really a risk. you could have sold it and made your money back.
“And viola! The place is flooded with light.” I think that scene would have greater effect if you shot it during the daytime instead of the night time.
I think this is a very good idea for areas experiencing a lot housing crisis issues. I see lots of homes and properties that are often times just abandoned for long periods of time, I think repurposing old homes and buildings like this is another good alternative to consider.
Great idea, and by all means this should but done where it should, but it won't scratch the surface of the housing crisis, that is a behemoth problem that's the result of 20 years of under development.
Also he died leaving her a property which means she could have just lived in that property, so even if she didn't get the $1 house she would still have a house to live in, also doesn't that break the rule of "not having owned property before"
That’s actually really bad. I bet someone else could have had that £1 home who needed it more and she could have lived in her dads old house, or used the money from its sale towards a “normal” home.
I am Belgian and been living vintage lifestyle for decades. It feels horrible how many architectural treasures are going wasted, withering away or demolished in the end. These cute little houses remind me of the ones i saw on British tv shows in the late 70s & 80s.. We have a few of those here in Belgium as well. Great job you did ! Are there any people who restore them to the state they were in when they had been built ?
I used to live in Liverpool for uni...housing there is still very much "affordable". Although, I'm from Birmingham if I have an opportunity I wouldn't mind moving back up there again.
Our first home in 1980 was in Rusholme, inner city Manchester, on a street just like this. We bought it with a council mortgage and received a housing improvement. You have taken me back to those days. Your first home is always special. I am delighted that you have done this and such a fantastic job. I would never buy a new property, the are so lacking in character.
Well done Maxine you have made this clapped out old house into a beautiful home. You got through the hard times but have a beautiful result at the end. Congratulations and best wishes for you and your lovely home.
Wow! Congrats to you, Maxine! Your house looks absolutely beautiful! ❤️ Looks like you have put your heart and soul into making that house beautiful 💕 Lovely house! 🏠🏡
Fine job you've done, appealing and sensibly-sized. Wishing you all good things. And hurray for Liverpool council establishing the program successfully.
I guess just proves that hardwork, dedication and persistence. It does pay off in the end. Hope she's doing well. Also i love the program that actually pushes people to be responsible and take the plunge and prevents corporate goons from turning it to another apartment or another biz or something. This is a really good program and makes use of abandoned space, and promotes a community.
Good for YOU! I wish we had something like this in the United States. I love her renovations. The Bathroom and Kitchen are just next level. I would rarely leave that kitchen.
@@shammydammy2610 No, I left Chicago, right off of Lake Michigan, because of the 10 degrees below zero weather. I'm pretty sure Detroit has the same thing. I'll pass.
@@ji-inroh495 No, I prefer the mild Winters in Atlanta. There are thousands of condemned homes here in Atlanta that the city/county owns, but Every once in awhile they'll put them up for auction. If they really wanted to do something they would sell them for $1 to $500 per home.
You did an AMAZING job restoring this property into a home! Your persistence paid off. Brilliant idea to convert the 2nd floor to the main living space to take advantage of the high ceiling. Enjoy your beautiful home!
You've done a great job! Really, really loved this video!!! And I hope many more cities are going to do this. I know that it also was done in Rotterdam, in the Spangen area. But these were very big houses and a lot more expensive. These houses were hull delivered, one could only buy the exterior and had the obligation to make it a livable house.
It would make sense to have community grants to help people renovate in such situations. Most of the cost is labour so if communities can come together, with expertise like architects and planners then solutions can be found. Also there is a colossal amount of commercial real estate that's unused so conversions into housing would make sense. But councils need to get on board with this. It's always 'too hard' and they want easy solutions. As others point out, not everyone will have access to those renovation funds, she was lucky her father left her money but many come from families which leave nothing or very little to offspring. It's poverty being entrenched. We need to leverage off this optimism and address the issues as a community. IMO.
Maxine you have done an amazing job and very important you asked for help from your friends and they were there for you. True friends. So sorry about your dad's passing🙏 Well done, you have a beautiful home😘🇪🇦
Well done, Maxine!!!! I think you've done amazing work with your house, and like you said, you have invested very much of yourself into it. As also a single woman who has worked all her life to achieve her own goals, and am now a home owner, too, I can relate to the enormous effort it all means. Enjoy!!!
There's clearly a lot of issues with this scheme if so many properties are still crumbling after so many years of running it. One of those problems is limiting it to only local residents, another is the costs and risks of renovating. Maxine even admits that had she not had that financial windfall and friends to rally around her she would have been in a worse position and would have lost what she'd already invested. The risks are higher than can be considered reasonable, the costs aren't much better than any other traditional method of getting on the housing ladder, and it's automatically out of reach of a majority of people who could never afford that kind of investment. In addition, if your brand new remodeled home is sandwiched between two others collapsing, rotting from the inside, you're going to experience the consequences of that decay and have to pay to stop your own property form collapsing with it. So, when she says she was worried it was a scam, she wasn't wrong. The local authorities offloaded a burden under a pretense of "free property" while putting such unreasonable restrictions in place it automatically only attracts a "certain class" of people who can afford it. I wish her well, but this is not the kind of scheme that should be applauded.
Limiting it to local residents keeps the housing stock in the hands of the community rather than having a nest of vulture capitalists snapping them up and turning whole streets into squalid rental machines. '... your brand new remodeled home is sandwiched between two others collapsing ...' Never heard of bracing. Obviously you know nothing about constructions, but are pontificating nonetheless.
love this. glad to see the older areas getting renovated instead of knocked down in favor of shipping container "architecture" like in scandinavia. also loved her idea to flip the living space to upstairs and her bedrooms to down. not only excellent for natural light up, but if she's there into her old age, she will appreciate it all the more. good job!!
Ridiculous how the government had property sitting for 15 years but want the owner to complete construction in 1 year.
yeah and she could lose it, that's crazy unfair.
I'm pretty sure you can apply for an extension or just make it livable. Their goal really is to just revitalize the area and you can't just have people sitting on it for long
@@saiyaspring buy depending on the initial condition, one year could very well be unreasonable and also unattainable.!
More than likely to prevent another person from keeping it in that state for another 15 years if they allowed people to take their time and take as long as they like.
I doubt that its enforced very much, Its probably only there to stop squatters from moving in.
My parents shared this video to me and said go to 2:29 😦 We lived in this house in Webster Road 1998, we moved out in 1999 and as far as I am aware, no one has ever lived in that house since. I am so shocked, that was my childhood house which I thought it would get demolish one day but now it has been renovated, amazing! 👏🥺
Spotted it was Webster Road, as dad used to live in Bird Street when the Cameo was there. Memories.
That’s crazy how life works out lol, did you move out vecause of the bad conditions or?
So neat
You lived in the house for a year . And if so , how can you spend your whole childhood within a year 🤨🤔
@@95MartyD Meh mememeh meh MEH meh HEE-HAW HEE-HAW! Pedantic knob.
This is a success story for a single woman who not only put the work into her dream but also survived a pandemic, the loss of her father, a shortage of specialized labor, no job, and changed her living situation... Kudos to her being now a property owner 👏
But she was a property owner before because her dad died and left her property. She sold that and that was the money she used to fix this house up. The real kicker is that the govt had all these houses wasting away for nearly two decades while there are people going homeless because of the housing shortages.
@@lyraserpentine894 houses are not owned by the govt but the council
@@Francesfaith1 So the local government, then?
Jesus H Christ.
@@HaggisMuncher-69-420 no, govt and council are completely different.
@@Francesfaith1 You are implying the government has zero control/governance over local councils. GTFOH.
I am pretty sure her father is utterly proud of her. Well done lady
Her parents died in a car crash
She did mention the father passed away at the beginning of the video
@@GeorgeNicolamaybe proud from heaven they mean lol
It's a pity parents don't usually see what is done with the inheritance they saved to pass on.
she set up their death so she can inherit money to renovate @@Grimm66613
I think the premise of the 1st homeowner clause is to prevent developers and landlords from buying the entire neighborhood. It's understandable.
Agree. But the pre-conditions to owning a rundown house in a rundown neighborhood seem pretty tough for a 1st time home-owner.
@@romanchukanov4454 especially with a tight deadline :')
@@Swameh tbh it's a 1 pound house. You seriously can't get this anywhere in UK. It's a catch even with such pre-conditions
What is wrong with that? If the area is completely run down for 15 years and there is a shortage of property, the priority should be to attract investment to renovate.
@@jamescaley9942 housing shouldn't be a commodity
You can tell she put so much blood, sweat, and tears into that house. The final product is beautiful. She did an amazing job.
and likely worth pennies more than she paid for it judging from the run down nature of the area and market values
@@sirpagandetyptoft6793 She mentioned she has zero plans to sell so your opinion on the value is also worth pennies.
@@JomerTB her plans don't go to plan that's the on going theme of this video which I saw and you didn't
@@technolinguista9845i really doubt you've ever talked to a woman other than your mother in your whole adult life. Besides, let me give you a bit of advice. Hate and envy eat you slowly from within and you end up being an empty shell. Get a life. Socialize. And reduce the self touching to once a week.
Her current expense to live there in an up and coming area makes this a good investment.
It only costs $1 BUT it costs actually a looooot more than that. She quit here full-time job, she did a lot of the renovation herself, she lived in a van…she WORKED FOR IT! ❤ You DESERVE IT! Well done!
She absolutely deserved it. I do wonder what the estimate of the house when in disarray. Then she could tack on the 74.000K in material costs. Not to mention the labor. Or the labor is included in the 74K. Anway, the house must cost a lot right now since it's fully renovated.
@@Maatjuhhh in that neighbourhood, probably less than you think
@@AliceswanUs yeah im surprised it's even an option, in my country they wouldn't even give you a rotting shack for 1 buck let alone a big place in a big city. amazing deal for sure
It didn't cost $1, it cost £1.
It didn't cost $1 as that is not the currency of the UK !
I would have gone completely bonkers under that kind of pressure and strain. Very inspiring. I hope she's ok after all that
she used to have lot of money luke...
the king want it's plebe to fix his ugly kingdom,and after that,he knows like Murphy ,that something will go wrong,an would kick the lady out on the streets,this program ain't for the poor or homeless it's for the rich cats..🤑
One year longer for a three year pandemic. Brexit really did this country dirty.
It's the yoga!
I feel like the coolest thing about this neighborhood will be that everyone there has gone through a similar lot of renovating their homes, even if they hit contractors everyone has a common purpose and love for their individual homes that they restored. Kinda cool for community ✨
Good for her! I bet when she finally moved into the house (even if it was the kitchen), or when the lights turned on for the first time it felt amazing. One thing is I'm surprised the time limit was only a year, that's kind of insane given she basically just owned the shell of a building and people who would apply to programs like this don't have the bankroll to just hire contractors to do 100% of the work. 3-5 years would seem more reasonable to me if someone is doing it DIY.
i suppose its better than to farm it out to the building companies and people who DO have the money and resources, but would then rent it out at high prices. At least it goes to a first time house owner
I think they do give people five years in Italy.
2 years at least would be enough. But 1 year is ridiculous!
Bear in mind that they didn't want people to take 3-5 years to fix these houses. Houses in bad state of repair attract vandalism, so they wanted to protect everyone's investment by getting out of that state quickly.
I remember when this scheme launched. They sold whole terraced streets at a time, and didn't want to end up in a situation where someone spent £50k fixing up their house, only to have it be made worthless by the one next door not putting in the money to get the roof replaced.
Normally house insurance would cover you for damage because a neighbours roof leaked, but these houses were sold as uninsurable. The 12 month restriction was aimed at getting everyone in a terrace to a point that they could
The 12 month period only required that the houses be made liveable and insurable. That means watertight and dry, one functioning electric circuit, a single sink, tap and toilet plumbed in and working. Once that's in, people could take all the time they wanted making the insides nice.
@@HaralHeisto Agreed.
Amazed to see this video! Myself and family lived in that house for eight years from 1990 until we sold it. It was actually in a good state then. Community spirit eroded in the area so we moved on. It was, like all the street eventually boarded up and left to deteriorate over the years. Great to see it looking fabulous now!
"community spirit eroded".....I like the way you put that.
So neat that you can see its history and future.
Lol, you mean the council started mass shipping in migrants who didn't assimilate?
@@PwnZombieWhy weren’t those houses inhabited if immigrants were everywhere?
Re PwnZombie : There were no migrants in the area when we left.
The fact that she had to sell an inherited property in order to renovate this shows that this scheme doesnt really help all that much. Very few people are going to have that kind of money on tap.
Ok, so I didn't think I'd have to add context but it seems like I must. I didn't say it doesn't help at all, I said it doesn't help that much. Statistically, it is unlikely that the average individual has anything close to the amount needed to renovate. I understand that houses in the UK are expensive and this is a cheaper way but that doesn't make it fully achievable to most, still. Yes you can take out a loan but with interest rates at an all time high, how is that plausible? Take into consideration that the average individual isn't going to be financially literate, most are already in heavy debt or carrying a significant amount of debt, stretching to the limit in that they may be able to afford it in the short term but will undoubtedly be torn apart at the first unexpected repair bill.
My own opinion here but I see this as a monopoly happening once again. Sure, the first time buyer clause will prevent existing landlords from purchasing but their kids or grandkids can own the home under their name but ultimately it was parents or grandparents of X that really bought the property. Dealings under the table are something that cannot be captured and so only the lucky few and the rich will have access to this. It doesn't solve the housing issue and furthermore, pushes out the less fortunate and expanding the already large landscape afforded to those lucky or "well off".
Not looking to offend, just speaking out loud. 🙂
Not true. This is about regenerating the area and its possible for working people to borrow for renovation. How much depends on what condition these properties are in when people bought them. Might not need to spend as much as she did. Its still far cheaper than actually buying one that someone has lived in.
I mean we're talking UK house prices here though, so even really extensive renovations to a crumbling house would still be much cheaper than a normal house on the open market. And I'm sure her case is a rare one, I doubt there were many people in this scheme who had an inheritance ready, most people who inherit a property that's in good nick would rather either live in that property or sell it and buy a normal house on the open market. Most buyers of these homes probably got a bank loan or used savings.
we don't know what she had, could've been a mansion or a hovel.
You have a point and she did mention how lucky she is. At the same time, I don't think it's just all for naught. There's an impact to the area and to her, personally, I'd say!
@@braincabbage Indeed, that's why I suggest allowing local apprentice schemes to tender for the work at a discount in the case ogf these homes. Then they benefit from a real work situation and gain skills for life as well as helping the owner out and restoring a home. Win win surely?
I knew people who were forced out of these homes. They were really angry about it. The UK government did this all over the country and it was a completely exercise.
They were lovely homes and a lot of them were well kept. Once they were empty the local delinquents broke in and stole everything they could for scrap. They stole the lead off the roofs, the copper pipes, the wiring and anything else they could.
I drove past loads of these over the years which had been left with gaping holes in the roofs.
Instead of building new houses on greenbelt land they should be renovating all the houses they left to decay.
Why were people forced out of these homes?
@@GabdeVue I also wonder why?
I'm also really confused like what??
@@GabdeVue She said that they were to demolition. I supposed that the city didn`t have money for the project and while the government were thinking what to do next houses came to a poor condition.
the 20 percent VAT on renovation work is killing housing and old buildings in the UK. I am from Glasgow, who have 750 beautiful historic buildings at risk that they have no intention of fixing but managed to find 74 million to build a transport museum miles away from where anyone actually lives.
I’m always impressed by people who take on and successfully complete major home renovations when they had no experience prior to that! I would be so terrified I would do something wrong and have the roof crashing down on me. Kudos to her and her gorgeous home!
I would be very surprised if she had much involvement in doing the roof or beams without previous experience. The building regs and planning alone would be a lot to get your head around. The machinery needed to install beams, the average diyer wouldn't have or know how to use. The house is also on Lawrence road so big problems when it comes to selling the property on due to area.
Agree. I’m a heavy DIYer and still wouldn’t want to take on something like this.
@@dinnerlady9784 She had loads of men working for her for free, so it was probably them. She already mentioned it 4 mins in but probably downplayed the extent of the work they did for her.
She hired some people and also had friends working for free that helped her..She wasn't going to build a whole house by herself
@@chickenmadness1732 Typical female today, so strong and independent at the backs of all the men in their lives. Dad left money, hobos and friends did the work, the city gave her land and house for a pound. She spent some 70K pounds, that's nothing.
Stunning and brave.
Am I the only one who got super emotional when she said a bunch of friends and strangers came over to help her renovate the house?!? I literally cried out in pain and started sobbing, that is so touching and I'm so happy for her!! ❤
You’re very sensitive. 🙂
@@drk7031 Some people are sensitive and some people are wankers. You're lucky the world needs both.
@@drk7031 well I don't know about that, but maybe LOL! Context for me is I struggled with being homeless for quite a while when I was younger, so I think in some roundabout way I was relieved she didn't have to go through a similar experience!
@@RenRenRanyou’re such a kind soul. I pray you’ll find your place in God xx
I’m so relieved i found your comment @RenRenRan : i started crying at the same exact moment, didnt know where it came from 😅
Really like the floor plan of this house. It is actually very similar to some bespoke design houses in Japan --- bedroom on ground floor and living/dining room on upper floors. Since bedroom is for sleeping and can be a little bit darker, while living room should capture more natural light, hence it will be better to have it on upper floors.
She got real lucky with friends willing to help her out. It sounds like she had no budget for labour. Also shows just how valuable good DIY skills are.
She did it during/coming out of the first or second lockdowns.
I struggled getting a roofer in to replace mine, I then got my garage roof done the following year and prices of materials had shot up so much that the tiny garage was only £1,000 cheaper than my semi-detached house roof.
My sister bought a new build, completion got pushed back 2 months because there wasn't enough wood for things like doors, architraves etc.
So definitely lucky with having friends who can help with things... but even if I had no DIY skills I'd still offer my friends support. 1 because they are my friends, but 2 because you can learn skills on someone else's property before using them on your own later down the line 🤣
Having to complete the build within 12 months is the crazy part of the scheme.
@@Jimmy_Jones Agree . The government/council have no idea
Beautiful story of a young woman and kudos to the guys who showed up for help. House is made of brick but its friends and families who make it a home :)
What an amazing woman. Well deserved going the full route! One has to question the city planners, though. Setting a 12 month limit for a property that is barely standing reflects a complete lack of understanding of how much work is needed, and how the marked works. Ever asked for a plumber to do some work? They'll be 10 weeks late on a 1 week project. Always.
As a scouser who literally lives five minutes away from this street I’m delighted for this incredible young lady. She deserves it she worked so hard . Well done 💕
What’s the area like? They missed that part out.
@@psychiccreative5428 it’s the same as any other inner city street. It’s improved a lot since these houses were put up xx
@@colettefoy5961 I hope it continues, We all deserve good homes.
Most kids today overuse and don't know what the word "literally" means or stands for.
I was living in Liverpool for university when this scheme was around. Unfortunately students couldn’t apply but it looked amazing! Good for her, glad locals got the opportunity. Better than houses sitting there empty!
She doesn't sound local to me.
@@dinnerlady9784she's not
@@dinnerlady9784 just had to be a Liverpool resident not born in Liverpool
@@lucieirl So literally any joe soap could turn up rent a property in Liverpool and qualify.
@@dinnerlady9784 possibly? Id imagine there was a minimum years residency clause or something. It still improves Liverpool and creates jobs and helps local economy in its own way ie contractors trades hardware shops.
I was definitely thinking 1 year wasn't a fair timeline during the pandemic. Glad they gave you more time and your friends were willing to lend a hand and raised your spirit.
I'm so impressed with your perseverance. Fantastic job 👍
Thanks for sharing.
Take care from Vancouver BC 🇨🇦
i don't think one year is fair not in the pandemic to be honest!
Liverpool have always been forward thinking on this kind of thing. Back in the 70s, the council gave my parents a 125% mortgage, which was unheard of, through a scheme they were running. At the time they were renting in a council high-rise. This allowed my parents to finally get on the property ladder. Eventually my parents were able to leave the scheme and buy a property on their own. It took both salaries to afford it, even in the 70s, but it gave them a way to step up at the start of their married life.
That's amazing! And what a wonderful idea. I don't understand why more local governments don't facilitate homeownership or other social movement aids for their people, it sounds so joyful for all involved.
“Pennies from Heaven” such a sweet way to honor her father by creating a home for herself and growing and healing through the process im sure. ❤
Well done Maxine! Still a work in progress but you definitely breathed new life into the property.
The rule to renovate in 1 year is ridiculous though..
Kudos to that lady, but can we please talk about how quitting your full-time job AND sinking your inheritance into a massive liability generally ISN'T a good idea
Well done Maxine, you fully deserve that house!
How long would it had taken you to build?
@@holdupnow2326 one day for each room 😂
I'm so happy to see that this scheme has been a success. I'm born and raised a scouser so seeing areas like this finally getting some love is a little emotional. 😅. Especially down by the old synagogue.
It is so inspiring when people make something so cozy from scratch!
What do you mean from scratch? The house was already built and she probably didn't even do 1% of the work on that renovation lmao.
_I really hope Maxine comes back to this video to read all the comments. I know we're all strangers but I'm so proud of her and everything shes gotten through! shes made a beautiful living space. Im happy that her upstairs space gives her so much joy, its so bright!_ ♥
$74K is a steal ....what??? All her grit and hardwork paid off
She inherited money though.
@@supheroai and?
It's £74,000, so $93,000. Still cheap though
@@scotttheupsetter its $74K
@@ge2719 And she inherited money, all the men did the work for free, so all she did was pay cheaps for a house. This is all an achievement of all the men in her life.
I'm Canadian and this is inspirational! I heard that Liverpool, U.K isn't very desirable, but watching this video, if the British Government extend the time from 12 months to an easier and stress freer 3 years to people who are on a fixed income, making under $ 60,000 , this not only gives people hope, a chance to be homeowners but helps these crumpling neighbourhoods become alive once more! Canada should do the same! Also it might bring back the middle class! Great job young lady! I'm beyond happy for you and all future Brit's who do this! 🥰🇨🇦🇬🇧
Like any city, there are desirable areas and undesirable ones.
Unfortunately this is not a desirable area at all, she did a great job and it looks beautiful inside but you'd be mad to stay there long term
What an amazing transformation! I love seeing older homes saved. She should be immensely proud of herself 😊
Honestly you may never know the value of that €1 you have until you go bankrupt, the bad experience I had last year really made me feel that our school curricula should contain more financial knowledge and education. It is never enough to have a good job, a huge salary and all the luxuries at your disposal. But saving money and investing it wisely is never a bad idea,... I learned how to invest, no matter how little, but life really believed me the hard way. Thank you for the nice video its always interesting to watch your content
you've remind me of what someone once said "The mind is the man, the poor is in it and the rich is it too". This sentence is the secret of most successful investors. I once attended similar and ever since then been waxing strong financially, and i most tell you the truth..investment is the key that can secure your family future.
Starting early is the best way of getting ahead to build wealth, investing remains a priority. I learnt from my last year's experience, i am able to build a suitable life because I invested early ahead this time
I urge everyone to start somewhere now no matter how small, this is literally the time for that, forget material things, don't get tempted,i became more better the moment i realized this.
yeah investment is the key to sustaining your financial longevity but venturing into any legitimate Investment without a proper guidance of an expert can lead to a great loss too
exactly! That's my major concern and what kind of profitable business or investment can someone do with the current rise in economic downturn
I love the style and decor upstairs. It’s totally to my taste. It’s how I’ve decorated my own place. I have a feeling she will redo the bedroom over time to bring more light, space and cosy comfort which will then extend out into the patio as a little oasis of calm. 🥰
I’m glad I pulled through, despite the crises. I am retiring next yr at 55 with 3 houses paid off worth 4.5 million. One is my place of residence the other 2 properties will give me $80,000per/yr rent . I will have an income stream of $20,000 per mnth through my super which gives me total $240,000 a yr to live comfortably. I have no debts _.._ Stay Motivated!!
Whichever firm you select, make sure you get your insurance from a reputable financial adviser, such as *Jenny Pamogas Canaya,* who has dedicated her career to financial planning. Because they will assist you in escalating, navigating better, and completing the task in a safer manner.|-|.
What do you do for a living?
I am happy for her accomplishment and the renovated house looks lovely. However, it proves to me that most people would not be able to take this risk without inherited money. Would it have been possible for her to renovate the house without the money of her family? That would have been an interesting take.
If contractors had been available or she had been granted more extensions, then she probably would not have had to quit her job, but likely still would have had to live in a van.
Also, if she and her partner had been together during this time, that might have helped her financial situation.
The inheritance was helpful for her circumstances, but might not have been necessary otherwise.
Yes when you can take out a loan from a bank for renovation.
A loan for the renovation would have only been 75,000 quid, easily more attainable than a mortgage.
@@jayfielding1333 didn't it say you had to have your own funds though?
@@jenjones90 I thunk they mean that you must prove you can get the average cost to rebuild these houses - similar to how you need a mortgage in principle often before you can buy a house. So proving that you can get a loan.
Probably just worded badly
She seems exactly like the kind of person I'd love to be friends with. Energetic, candid, quirky and down to earth. X
She came across as an absolute diamond, lovely and creative girl, doing all this while suffering parental loss, lockdown, breakup and job loss too. half of that would break most people, she comes out winning and smiling!
@@GeneralThargor lovely and creative woman* ;)
And she would be worse than useless in helping you renovate your home.
Wish her all the good luck in the world, she made a very beautiful home.
This is such a bold project and she did amazing ! She should be absolutely proud of herself
Fabulous home,lovely to hear friends coming along and helping her build her beautiful home. ❤
I think people in Liverpool are so much fun... I love their sarcasm and honesty
Maxine, you did an amazing job and should be so proud. The house is stunning and moving the bedrooms downstairs was definitely the right move.
Bless this gorgeous, eloquent lady! Liverpool ppl are by far the loveliest from all the cities I've been to in the UK. I also really hope those male friends are honourable men and haven't asked for an unreasonable payback.
£1 houses, not $1 houses.
Theres not much difference!!
@@bonvoyage5377 She could'nt buy it for 1,doller she lives in Liverpool England, they would'nt take it, so yes there is a difference.
@@beverlybradley5485 exactly. It’s a whole different currency. I don’t know why they had her say $1. Are they concerned people won’t understand that this is a different country to the USA so their money is different? Then again…
its like shes obsessed with $ even though its uk
@@leeandmandybattersby5958unlikely. I think she was told to give prices in pounds because the producer had an eye to the us market for the film.
She done brilliant work she worked hard to get the house to high standard well done you deserve your dad be so proud of you 👍 well done 👏
There was a BBC tv series about the 1pound homes experiment. It really showed the sense of community in building these places together. Sadly, it also showed the places being broken into and all of the work stolen, with homeowners having to start over
Oh that is sad!
I remember that. I was so sad about the stress the home owners went through
This woman needs to have her own design firm. Even while living in a van, she had beautiful style. ❤
That preparation area on the upstairs landing is really unique. It was great to see her using it, taking care of her plants. I am very happy for her.
I really like that she swapped the floors so her open living spaces have double height ceilings. Adding a utility area at the top of the stairs was genius. Handles laundry, plant care, messy food prep. She's got a marvelous setup.
The estimation of 60000 for renovating sounds way way way too low. The nerve to leave houses to rot for 15 years and then say 'but you only have 1 year'. The audacity.
Man, the city really expects 1st time property owners to take on some expensive risks.
All first time property owners take on 'expensive risks.' My first property involved just as many--if not more--risks than what is described here. I put down 250K for a property. Then, still had to do systemic renovations. AND had to make it live-able without the benefit of a government program. Did it in 3 months.
@@swicheroo1 did you run the risk of your property being taken away if the renovation took more than 12 months?
@@swicheroo1 "AND had to make it live-able without the benefit of a government program" yeah, having a quarter million to drop on a property that was worth that price sounds so risky, compared to this where you spend £1 on a house that they should be paying her to take off their hands, and the risk being they can just take it back off her even if she spent every penny she has on it. Was someone going to take away the thing you paid for? thats not really a risk. you could have sold it and made your money back.
Renovating old homes is not easy, requires alot of patience and $$. She did an amazing job. Love her dialect. ❤
“And viola! The place is flooded with light.” I think that scene would have greater effect if you shot it during the daytime instead of the night time.
thats just a typical bright sunny day in the uk :P
She is completely shy when she is being interviewed but acts as an expert broadcaster when it is presenting the house
I think this is a very good idea for areas experiencing a lot housing crisis issues. I see lots of homes and properties that are often times just abandoned for long periods of time, I think repurposing old homes and buildings like this is another good alternative to consider.
well, that would only work if you have money for the repurposing.
Great idea, and by all means this should but done where it should, but it won't scratch the surface of the housing crisis, that is a behemoth problem that's the result of 20 years of under development.
😮 wow she did a very good job. I love the kitchen 😍😍😍
She is amazing!! Her determination is incredible
1 year renovations is completely unreasonable
If her father had not passed, she would not have the money to renovate. That is what you call generational wealth.
Also he died leaving her a property which means she could have just lived in that property, so even if she didn't get the $1 house she would still have a house to live in, also doesn't that break the rule of "not having owned property before"
@@resolecca I was thinking the same thing too.
That’s actually really bad. I bet someone else could have had that £1 home who needed it more and she could have lived in her dads old house, or used the money from its sale towards a “normal” home.
@@resolecca or she probably had siblings and a widowed mother to share that massive inheritence with.
@@shelleyjames4446 agreed
Great Story, that's very smart indeed from the city to bring back life! You can see she put a lot of blood into it, congrats and blessings 🙏
Wow amazing what this lady has achieved during lockdown with no builders available etc!
I am Belgian and been living vintage lifestyle for decades. It feels horrible how many architectural treasures are going wasted, withering away or demolished in the end. These cute little houses remind me of the ones i saw on British tv shows in the late 70s & 80s.. We have a few of those here in Belgium as well. Great job you did !
Are there any people who restore them to the state they were in when they had been built ?
What a great story - and what a charming home owner! Maxine explains all the thoughts and challenges behind the renovation really well!
IMO she did the right thing by moving the living area upstairs. You spend more time there and want more natural light
I used to live in Liverpool for uni...housing there is still very much "affordable". Although, I'm from Birmingham if I have an opportunity I wouldn't mind moving back up there again.
Our first home in 1980 was in Rusholme, inner city Manchester, on a street just like this. We bought it with a council mortgage and received a housing improvement. You have taken me back to those days. Your first home is always special. I am delighted that you have done this and such a fantastic job. I would never buy a new property, the are so lacking in character.
It only cost 60k to rennovate this? Thats crazy. Well done!
It's in a scummy part of Liverpool
@@jenjones90 you know, renovation costs has 0 to do with location, right?
@@velianlodestone1249 of course it does. A contractor in central London is going to charge you much more than a poor area
@@mushy470 Most of the work was done by herself, so mostly material cost
@@jenjones90 "It's in a scummy part of Liverpool" ...so... its in liverpooll
What an incredible woman, props to her and all the hard work she put in through all of that!
Well done Maxine you have made this clapped out old house into a beautiful home. You got through the hard times but have a beautiful result at the end. Congratulations and best wishes for you and your lovely home.
Happy for this wonderful lady! Delightful woman and home ✨✨
I’m proud of her work
Indeed, friends are born for days of adversities 👏🏾
Thank God for friends!
Wow! Congrats to you, Maxine!
Your house looks absolutely beautiful! ❤️ Looks like you have put your heart and soul into making that house beautiful 💕 Lovely house! 🏠🏡
It's good you did the renovations yourself. It will mean so much more than if you had someone do it. Dad would be proud.
The problem is that your property's value depends on the area and the state of the surrounding properties.
Well done. You should be rightly immensely proud.
Absolutely remarkable 👏 I'm over the moon for you! Thank you for sharing your story. Utterly inspiring 🤩
Glad that everything turned out so well for this brave and hardworking lady! And what a great idea to revive this neighbourhood!
Fine job you've done, appealing and sensibly-sized. Wishing you all good things. And hurray for Liverpool council establishing the program successfully.
She is such a sweet person. I hope she has all the success in life❤
This is lovely
It’s a shame that this type of opportunities are only given to the ultra rich developers in the US
No, instead the US has local level IDA's who give mega tax breaks for developer kick-backs under-the-table
I guess just proves that hardwork, dedication and persistence. It does pay off in the end. Hope she's doing well.
Also i love the program that actually pushes people to be responsible and take the plunge and prevents corporate goons from turning it to another apartment or another biz or something. This is a really good program and makes use of abandoned space, and promotes a community.
So sad to hear about your dad's passing, but happy he blessed you with the funds you needed for your home.
Lovely transformation. Her dad would be so happy to see she used the money in such a wise way!
Good for YOU! I wish we had something like this in the United States. I love her renovations. The Bathroom and Kitchen are just next level. I would rarely leave that kitchen.
They probably do but if they did it would be in US equivalent areas to Liverpool, so think Detroit rather than NY
Detroit has them. Go for it.
@@shammydammy2610 No, I left Chicago, right off of Lake Michigan, because of the 10 degrees below zero weather. I'm pretty sure Detroit has the same thing. I'll pass.
We do. Do you want to live in Detroit, MI?
@@ji-inroh495 No, I prefer the mild Winters in Atlanta. There are thousands of condemned homes here in Atlanta that the city/county owns, but Every once in awhile they'll put them up for auction. If they really wanted to do something they would sell them for $1 to $500 per home.
You did an AMAZING job restoring this property into a home! Your persistence paid off. Brilliant idea to convert the 2nd floor to the main living space to take advantage of the high ceiling. Enjoy your beautiful home!
She has a good narrator voice
She’s lovely. Those friends who helped her were amazing! The home looks gorgeous. Update on the upper floor courtyard please.
I love it! But I do wonder why she didn’t just live in the house she inherited from her dad. Was it because of the location?
She probably had to sell it to pay the inheritance taxes, about 50%...😢
@@adeleg4759 stop lying you don't pay inheritance tax until it's a massive amount
@jillreys6159 ikr
Possibly has siblings.
As others mentioned, probably had to share the inheritence with siblings.
I'm so happy for her. She's living the dream. A home that you own and a life of freedom to look forward to.
You've done a great job! Really, really loved this video!!! And I hope many more cities are going to do this. I know that it also was done in Rotterdam, in the Spangen area. But these were very big houses and a lot more expensive. These houses were hull delivered, one could only buy the exterior and had the obligation to make it a livable house.
It would make sense to have community grants to help people renovate in such situations. Most of the cost is labour so if communities can come together, with expertise like architects and planners then solutions can be found.
Also there is a colossal amount of commercial real estate that's unused so conversions into housing would make sense. But councils need to get on board with this. It's always 'too hard' and they want easy solutions.
As others point out, not everyone will have access to those renovation funds, she was lucky her father left her money but many come from families which leave nothing or very little to offspring. It's poverty being entrenched. We need to leverage off this optimism and address the issues as a community. IMO.
You did a brilliant job - well done 👏
And your upstairs kitchen & living room is a triumph. Enjoy the fruits of your labours, you deserve it
Good for her really, she seems really nice.
This woman is amazing! The home is fantastic! I'm clapping my hands red
I think this is a great idea but I do not think the one year deadline is realistic.
Maxine you have done an amazing job and very important you asked for help from your friends and they were there for you. True friends.
So sorry about your dad's passing🙏
Well done, you have a beautiful home😘🇪🇦
Maxine you are a fighter ! Well done
Well done, Maxine!!!! I think you've done amazing work with your house, and like you said, you have invested very much of yourself into it.
As also a single woman who has worked all her life to achieve her own goals, and am now a home owner, too, I can relate to the enormous effort it all means.
Enjoy!!!
There's clearly a lot of issues with this scheme if so many properties are still crumbling after so many years of running it. One of those problems is limiting it to only local residents, another is the costs and risks of renovating. Maxine even admits that had she not had that financial windfall and friends to rally around her she would have been in a worse position and would have lost what she'd already invested. The risks are higher than can be considered reasonable, the costs aren't much better than any other traditional method of getting on the housing ladder, and it's automatically out of reach of a majority of people who could never afford that kind of investment. In addition, if your brand new remodeled home is sandwiched between two others collapsing, rotting from the inside, you're going to experience the consequences of that decay and have to pay to stop your own property form collapsing with it. So, when she says she was worried it was a scam, she wasn't wrong. The local authorities offloaded a burden under a pretense of "free property" while putting such unreasonable restrictions in place it automatically only attracts a "certain class" of people who can afford it. I wish her well, but this is not the kind of scheme that should be applauded.
Limiting it to local residents keeps the housing stock in the hands of the community rather than having a nest of vulture capitalists snapping them up and turning whole streets into squalid rental machines. '... your brand new remodeled home is sandwiched between two others collapsing ...' Never heard of bracing. Obviously you know nothing about constructions, but are pontificating nonetheless.
love this. glad to see the older areas getting renovated instead of knocked down in favor of shipping container "architecture" like in scandinavia. also loved her idea to flip the living space to upstairs and her bedrooms to down. not only excellent for natural light up, but if she's there into her old age, she will appreciate it all the more. good job!!