Owning your own home

kitchen's a bit odd and they've spent a few quid on the extension... However, as you say, lots of stuff around the £700k - £800k mark is just awful and that one is quite different.

Equally spending £200-300k on a £700-800k house will get you something at least as good and to your own brief. As long as you're prepared to go through the long haul of getting it built...