'NILITUMIA £200,000 KUTENGENEZA 'APARTMENT' YANGU ILI KUWARUSHA ROHO MAJIRANI'....

When Debbi Marco and her husband Matt bought a run-down house in Richmond, Surrey, in 2009, they were determined to make it the envy of their neighbours. After spending the best part of £200,000, it is now worth a staggering £306,000 more (centre). The tiny galley kitchen (top right) was ripped out, remodelled and extended to over 300sq ft (bottom right), the house was stripped back to the brickwork, the roof taken off, the windows and doors removed and an extension added. So proud of the new look, Mrs Marco admits to even turning on the lights and leaving the curtains open at night just so the neighbours can get a glimpse inside.