Dave Skirrow is convinced that it only takes a few seconds to know if a house is for you.

“When we walked into this home, we instantly felt that homely, comfortable feeling,” he recalls. “I believe you just know when you walk into a house whether it’s the one for you. My wife Rachel and I knew this was going to be the house in which to start our family.”

Nine years ago, there were plenty of factors which persuaded the Skirrows that this was going to be their new home.

“The ‘wow’ factor was the size of all the rooms – each having at least two windows – the spacious hallway and the large, private gardens and patio, as well as character features like deep skirting boards and cornice,” Dave says.

It was a typical 1950s three bedroom detached home when the family moved in.

“It was pretty much ready to live in and didn’t really change much, other than a bit of decor and the doors upstairs were replaced with old oak doors,” Dave says.

There was just the two of them when they took up residence, but the family has grown with the addition of sons George, William and Henry.

Over time, the family felt they needed more space so in 2007 they embarked on a scheme to enhance the home. They added another living room and created the master bedroom en-suite.

It is now a beautifully-presented family home with a wealth of charm and character.

On the ground floor is an entrance hall with part-wood panelled walls and an oak floor, lounge with windows to the front and side and multi-fuel cast iron stove in a stone hearth, and sitting room with French doors to the front garden and cast iron living flame gas fire with cast iron surround.

There’s plenty of room for a family in the dining kitchen, and it is easy to see that this is very much the focal point of the home. Fitted with a range of cream units, there’s a double electric oven, ceramic hob and extractor hood, part-tiled walls and an oak floor, plus a utility room with access to the garden.

The dining kitchen opens out into the family room, which is a light and airy space thanks to windows to the rear and side, and French doors into the garden. There is an oak floor and a cast iron living flame gas fire in a tiled hearth with wooden surround.

“It’s hard to have a favourite room in the house, since each one has something special,” says Dave. “But the dining kitchen is where we spend most of the time as a family.”

Upstairs is the master bedroom, which has an en-suite shower room with step-in shower cubicle, tiled walls and floor, downlighters and wash basin.

There are three more bedrooms, two of which have windows on two sides with panoramic views across the valley, a fully-tiled family bathroom with cream panelled bath, wash basin and step-in shower cubicle, and a separate WC – again, fully tiled.

The house stands in large, attractive gardens with a driveway and double garage.

There are lawned areas to the side, with mature trees and shrubs, raised patio, garden shed and summerhouse. To the rear is a private patio, garden shed and outside WC which houses the gas boiler.

“The garden is looked after by me, and even though it’s a large garden it’s quite easy to keep on top of,” Dave adds. “I haven’t changed much, other than adding a few plants, cutting down a few trees and painting the summerhouse.

“The best thing about living here has to be watching the children learn to ride their bikes on the patio and playing football with them on the grass.

“I would without a doubt say this house lends itself to entertaining, especially in the summer. We have held two summer christenings with more than 50 guests, and this is where the outside loo comes in handy!”

This property in Westcliffe Avenue, Baildon, is on the market for £499,950 with Maxwells Residential, Baildon, tel (01274) 809191, web www.maxwellsresidential.com