DAVID and Sarah Nisbet both work full time as well as bringing up two children. But despite all of this activity, David is not one to sit still. As SUSAN GOODSON found out, their family home has truly benefited from this trait

WHEN husband and wife David and Sarah Nisbet first saw their home it was in serious need of modernisation to be able to cater for an active family.

The elderly owner had sadly died and it had been a big house for anyone to have on their hands.

They loved the location in a quiet area but just the right walking distance into town and it has a wonderful view of The Hoad.

It was also close to Ford Park and their sports-loving son Max, now 13, could go off and play football.

They could see the potential for the house from the start and during the five years they have lived in it they have grown to love it.

Sarah adds that David has invested a lot of time and genuine effort to ensure that all the work carried out on the house by himself, and when needed qualified experts, has been done to the highest standards.

The house – 4 Church fields Avenue, Ulverston – is a four-bedroomed detached house close to the town centre but at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac.

Inside there is an entrance hall, ground floor WC, lounge, dining room, kitchen and utility room. To the first floor there are four bedrooms of which one has an en-suite shower room, a family bathroom and two loft spaces which have both been insulated.

Outside to the front is a double block drive set behind a dry stone wall with parking for two vehicles, mature shrubbery and lawn.

There is also a garage which gives access to the house through the utility room.

To the back the garden is mainly lawn with paved patio to the side. There is also a garden shed included in the sale. There are gates on either side of the house allowing access to the front.

When Sarah says they have done everything to the house, she means it, including adding an extension to create a fourth upstairs double bedroom with its own en-suite.

While downstairs the extension has joined the garage to the house by creating what has proved to be two of the most handy rooms in the house – a games room and a utility room.

Sarah explained: “My husband and son both wanted a pool table so we extended the house to the side adding a games room and a utility room.

“When Max has arrived home from football with his muddy boots he comes through the garage into the utility room and can take them off without getting dirt all over my wooden floors.

“Any wet gear can be taken off and left in there and it is handy for storing the bikes.

“It is a perfect space for an active family.

“The games room has been great when the children have had their friends around.

“They have been able to go and play on the X-box or watch television.”

And that is where the other change the couple made has come into its own.

They knocked through the wall dividing the kitchen and dining room to create an open plan area.

Sarah added: “We have virtually lived in this part of the house especially when we have visitors.

“We sit in there and know where the kids are but no-one is on top of each other.

“The dining area has double French doors leading out into the back garden.

“We love it, but we do use the lounge with its bay window in the evenings when there is just the family in.

“The other night when it started snowing we lit some candles and all sat in there watching the flakes fall.”

Along with fitting the new kitchen, the couple have had the electrics re-done, all the wall coverings updated, while with expert help and advice David has also done all the floors and laid a new drive.

Outside, Sarah said the garden with its patio area gets all day sun and is safe and secure for small children as it is gated off.

This beautiful family home is much loved, but now with Max a teenager and daughter Chloe, 17, the couple are happy for something a bit smaller and maybe with a smaller garden.

Sarah added: “We are ready for a change. There is nothing more we can do with the house as much as we love it.

“David doesn’t like to be idle and he needs another project to work on.”

The house is on the market with Corrie and Co Estate Agents for £425,000.

For further details or to arrange a viewing please call the agent on 01229 825333 or call into their Ulverston office at 14 King Street.