Frederique Etienney-Pope and her husband left their small Brixton flat for a five-bedroom Edwardian house in Brighton for £850,000 in December 2020, expecting their third child. The move, part of a pandemic-era exodus from the capital, brought them closer to the sea and to family in Sussex, but also uncovered asbestos and other costly issues.
A competitive market and a 40% deposit
The couple sold their previous London home for £575,000, having bought it for £350,000, giving them a 40% deposit on the Brighton property. The market was extremely competitive, with Frederique recalling, “We would do eight or 10 viewings a day, because you had to already have an offer on your house to be taken seriously by estate agents.”
Their monthly mortgage is around £2,100 on a five-year term. Winter bills are high due to poor insulation: about £400 for gas and electricity every two months, dropping to £140 in summer. Council tax is £300 per month, and water costs £50.
Asbestos found during pregnancy
Shortly after moving in, the family discovered asbestos in cupboards where a boiler had been, and then in another area. Frederique was heavily pregnant at the time. “We had to clear the house, and we were so worried it could be contaminated,” she said. “We had to board all the wooden floors upstairs in case some had fallen down, because it was really crumbling. It was a nightmare.”
Other problems included a boiler that broke down repeatedly, a leaking roof, and lifting paint on several walls. The couple now has boiler insurance, which Frederique calls “one of our biggest regrets” for not replacing it sooner.
Brighton living: central and walkable
The family chose Brighton for its central location, a 10-minute walk to the station and near the Lanes. “It felt like a smaller version of London somehow, being by the sea,” Frederique said. She recommends Berry and Sons antique store in Seven Dials, North Lane Bazaar, and Snoopers Paradise for treasures.
Interior design: bold and eclectic
Frederique recently started an interior design business, inspired by renovating her own homes. Her style mixes dark and bright colours, vintage pieces, and personal memories. “I can’t live in a white or beige house; it just doesn’t fit my character,” she explained. The children chose their own bedroom colours.
Her favourite room is the master bedroom, painted teal with a yellow bathtub. A newly finished family bathroom with a round bath and wallpaper on a curved ceiling feels “like a spa.”
No plans to move again
Despite the stress, Frederique does not want to move. “I’m still recovering,” she said, though she added they might return to France one day. A planned kitchen extension is on hold due to cost; instead, she repainted the cabinets with spray cans for £35.
The couple’s journey reflects the challenges of buying a fixer-upper in a hot market, but they now enjoy a colourful, characterful home by the sea.
