Long-term home-owners staying put

The survey found that people who have been living in the same property for more than 20 years are more likely to remortgage to raise money for home improvements than look for a better property.

The survey revealed that putting down roots and a strong sense of community are more important to long-term home-owners than a larger house as 88 per cent of homeowners would like to change at least one part of their property, but even if they won the Lottery the majority of people would not up sticks and move home.

Charles Haresnape, head of NatWest Mortgage Services said; "With the multitude of DIY makeover programmes, and the fact that most of us would not move, even if we won the lottery, it is very surprising that we take so long to finish doing the place up. House prices have increased an average tenfold since the early 70s, many homeowners will be sitting on equity in their homes which could be used to get a professional in to finish the job."