Francesca Amber

It was going to be a second home that was going to be in an area that I didn't really massively want to be.

So like I was looking at having to go out.

I was going to have to go out to like East Finchley.

We're talking like zone fucking four vibes.

And I was like, that's not really what I want either.

I also started to look at having to compromise my goal in some way.

So one of my things, because I'd been so burnt by my neighbours, was it had to be a freehold house.

I was not fucking around with share of freehold or leasehold anymore.

Because if you have share of freehold or leasehold, your neighbors at any point can just decide, oh, actually, you can't Airbnb anymore.

Oh, actually, you can't do this.

You can't do that.

And I didn't want anyone to have that control over my life.

Now, when you're looking at freehold houses in London...

that shit gets real fucking expensive.

So I'm trying to lay the groundwork for you that what I wanted was either going to be a compromise, like a flat or something without no outdoor space or whatever, maybe in an area that I didn't quite want, but you know, I could get the tube to places I do like, or I'd have to sell my house and just go all in.

So the first thing that I think is really important is taking steps before you're ready.

Okay, so taking steps before you're ready.

I talk about this all the time.

Go and shop for your dream life before you've got your ducks in a row.

Go and figure out what it is that you want.