The stamp duty ‘holiday’ during Covid was what drove Lucinda and Charlie Kimmins to take the leap and buy their first home together. ‘We were renting at the time and planned to get onto the property ladder in the next few years, but we knew we should take any opportunity that would help us financially,’ says Lucinda. She was keen to put pictures on walls and change paint colours, ‘but we just didn't have the opportunity to do that as renters.’
The couple weren't originally going to view this place because it was over their price range, but Lucinda explains, ‘as soon as we walked in, we both knew this was the one, so we stretched our budget to get it.’ As firsttime buyers who had never done DIY before, the flat felt perfect to Lucinda and Charlie, as the only work needed was cosmetic. ‘The place had been recently renovated so a new kitchen was
