An interior designer from Yorkshire has seen the value of her four-storey home increase fivefold since she purchased it over two decades ago. Joanne Hardcastle, 54, bought her Edwardian end-terrace property in Batley, West Yorkshire, for £73,000 in February 2000.
From Renovation Project to Design Show Fame
Joanne, who is married to Tim and is a mother to three grown-up daughters, has painstakingly transformed the once run-down house. Much of the work was done by the couple themselves. Her bold, colourful style and vintage collections eventually caught the eye of BBC producers on Instagram.
After an initial rejection, Joanne secured a place on series four of BBC's Interior Design Masters. She credits the experience with teaching her to "put myself first" and for the lasting friendships she made with fellow contestants.
The Financial Journey of a Family Home
The couple's investment in the property extended beyond the initial purchase. They borrowed a further £30,000 to fund an extension a decade ago, and spent £60,000 renovating the basement three years ago. Their discipline paid off when they finally paid off their mortgage in January last year.
Before clearing the debt, their monthly payments were around £900. The property, which features four bedrooms, two reception rooms, and two bathrooms, has seen a dramatic increase in value. Joanne estimates it is now worth between £300,000 and £350,000.
Yorkshire Roots and Future Downsizing Plans
Joanne loves the rural aspect of her Upper Batley location, with views of cows and horses, but admits the local town feels run-down. The family found the house by chance after a viewer came to see their previous cottage, which they had bought in 1992 for £37,000.
While she adores the space and memories created in the family home, Joanne admits the next move will be to downsize now her children are older. Her top property non-negotiables remain a period home surrounded by countryside.
Her advice for aspiring homeowners is heartfelt and practical. She urges people not to follow fleeting fashions but to decorate with what they love. Having bought a house in terrible condition because it was all they could afford in their desired area, she advises patience: save up to do things properly rather than compromising, as you'll likely redo it later.
She also expresses concern for her daughters' generation, particularly one living in London, highlighting the increased difficulty of getting onto the housing ladder today compared to the 1990s.
