I bought my first home at 53 - and saved £15,000 by doing it up myself

Kavel Rafferty has rented flats across Europe for decades, drifting between Stockholm, Barcelona, Brighton and London, without ever owning a home.

Now, aged 54, the Margate artist has finally bought her first property, taking on renovations that cost her £40,000 – but she thinks it’s well worth it.

Kavel bought the property with a 16-year mortgage a year ago, meaning she will likely keep working beyond the state pension age of 66, as she’ll have to repay until she’s 69.

The collage artist and gallery owner bought the two-bedroom ex-council Margate property at auction last June for £157,500 plus fees, using money left to her by her grandfather as a deposit after years of renting.

Kavel bought the property with a 16-year mortgage a year ago