For families going up in the world, here’s a home that has already stretched to match their ambitions.

It’s a five bedroom semi in Bernard Avenue, East Cosham, which still has many of its original architectural features, including the integral garage that signalled the new prosperity that was arriving in the inter-war period when it was constructed.

Alongside the garage door is the front entrance porch with a curved brick portal and then the double height square bay window crowned by a gable. But for many, the crowning glory will be revealed from the inside; at the top of the stairs is a new master suite with a large and well-lit sleeping area, shower room, and dressing area.

The presence of the original front door in its glazed surround complete with stained glass motifs will leave visitors surprised at the modernised and refreshed interior that awaits them. The sitting and dining rooms are now combined into one living space measuring more than 30 feet deep, with the east-facing bay window at the front and bi-fold doors to a raised and west-facing terrace at the rear that can literally become an extension of the house on fine days. Steps from the terrace descend to a large lawn area with borders at the far end.

An archway to the left of the dining area opens into a superbly appointed kitchen with work surfaces to three and a half sides and a mass of storage space. A utility / cloakroom created from part of the garage frees up kitchen space as it’s home to the laundry equipment that families need. The remaining part of the garage is retained as a useful storage area with an up-and-over door but the house has good off-road parking space at the front.

On the first floor, the original four bedrooms remain, two of them very generous doubles. They are served by a modernised bathroom complete with corner shower cubicle and an oval bath.

With good local schooling choices as well as easy commuting and local shopping areas, there’s plenty to appeal to busy families.

Guide price is £535,000 (EPC Band C). For more information, contact Town and Country Southern on 023 93 277 288 or email sales@townandcountrysouthern.co.uk<