After years of commuting from Shoreham in Sussex to her work in London, interior stylist Maxine was ready to make a big lifestyle change.

“I’d left my role at a magazine to become a freelance stylist and my long-term relationship had come to an end, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to shake things up in my life. I decided to sell my one-bedroom flat – along with pretty much everything I owned – so I could start afresh,” says Maxine. “When I moved out with my dog Teddy, all I had with me was a couple of suitcases of clothes.”

Maxine was able to stay with friends for six months while she saved up a deposit, with a plan to put down permanent roots in her own house. Ideally with a garden for her and Teddy to enjoy.

Today, Maxine calls a beautiful terraced house in Brighton home, every inch of which she’s sprinkled her styling magic on. But getting her home to this stage wasn’t all plain sailing, and there were some twists and turns along the way.

When she started her property search on Rightmove, Maxine knew she wanted to settle in Brighton: “I grew up here, and I have a huge group of friends in the area. We love walking on the South Downs or along the iconic seafront. It’s that perfect mix of city and country life. As people who visit will tell you, this place has an electric feel to it, and it’s like being on holiday all year round,” she says.

Maxine knew she wanted a place with two bedrooms and a garden. As well as that all-important blank canvas she could bring her style to.

“My old flat in Shoreham was sold as a fully renovated property. This time, I wanted to buy a ‘project’ where I could make sure that everything was to my taste, and I could design it to match my needs exactly.”

After researching local house prices, Maxine discovered th