Buying a house doesn't always come down to who has the highest bid, with other ways you can make yourself the most attractive purchaser in an ever growing competitive market.
In our Where I Live series, the ECHO will explore one house from across the region each week, with the owner giving us an insight into how they've made their house a home.
Mary Gore, 27, and partner Ricki Valerio, 30, sold their home in Huyton and moved in with family when they were on the hunt for a larger space, which they eventually found in Childwall .
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Mary said: "We moved in with my mother-in-law so we were not in a chain and there were no complications while we searched for our dream home.
"The house was on the market for £325,000 and there was a few higher bids. We knew our budget was £330,000 so we bid that as our final offer. We were told someone bid higher but as we were not in a chain, they accepted our offer."
It took about four months for the couple's mortgage to finalise, which Mary said was "stressful", as they had their hearts set on the property.
She said: "When the contracts finally come through and it was secure it was such a relief for both of us. We knew as soon as we viewed this property that this was the one. We wanted a home that we could build on and make our own."
Mary and Ricky fell in love with the "character" of the home, which boasts a stained-glass door, arched doorway and sloped roof. The bedrooms are also generously sized, with large bay windows that light up the space.
The house also has an interesting history. Mary told the ECHO: "In 1910 the area was a farm. A typical country lane with hedgerows and sandstone banks. This farm was known as Pye’s farm; in the 1910s the Pyes had been there for over 70 years but its 'proper' name was Rocky Lane Farm."
Since moving in Mary and Ricky have transformed the house inside and out. They overhauled the "overgrown" front garden and got rid of the pond to create a modern, open double driveway.
Mary added: "The back of the house had an old-fashioned dining room and tiny kitchen which we felt would not suitable for growing a family. We wanted to create one big open plan kitchen/diner/ living room where we could all be together so we knocked the rooms through and added an extension.
"We also converted an old damp garage into a gym which we both use daily."
The couple likes a mix of modern and traditional when it comes to interiors, with a log burner in the lounge juxtaposing with a sleek media wall in the rear living area. The space is clean and bright, with rich blues and cool greys against bright white.
Mary said: "I like to put a light colour with a bold colour to make it pop. We also love creams and blacks that we have throughout hall way and front living room."
Would you like to be included in the ECHO's Where I Live feature?
We'll be taking a look inside a different property each week. If you're splurging on a renovation, trying your hand at DIY to save money, or have a passion for interiors, let us know.
Please email your name and details to storm.newton@reachplc.com
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