Annie with her new home (Picture: SWNS) After years of van living and mounting debt following a serious injury, Annie Wonderlich found an unconventional path to homeownership. Life has well and truly been transformed for Annie Wonderlich, 43, after she bought the unusual $54,000 (£40.014) property in Washington State in February 2026. She says she never wanted to be “stuck with a mortgage for life”. Instead, she paid a $15,000 (£11,100) down payment using savings and is now paying $754.14 (£558.82) a month over five years. Annie plans to have the property fully paid off by 2031. The quirky home, which already had a sunroom and extra structures attached, is now being transformed room by room into a countryside-inspired retreat. She has already completed the living room and sunroom and is currently renovating the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. She feels at home in her restored RV (Picture: Annie Wonderlich / SWNS) She is also building a 200sq ft shed which she plans to turn into her “dream wardrobe” and vanity. ‘The façade, with it, you’re not going to be able to tell it’s an RV anymore,’ Annie said. ‘I’m going to put a façade outside the structure and make it more like an English cottage.’ Annie can now admire spectacular views from her home (Picture: Annie Wonderlich / SWNS) Since 2023 she has been living with her mum, 73, in her attic while paying off debts after an accident left her with a broken back. The inspiration for the renovation came after Annie visited England several times while living in her van and spent Christmas in the Cotswolds in 2023. It was during this trip she had an accident, falling down a flight of stairs, which left her with a broken back and wrist. After a two-week hospital stay she returned to the US, but says she had to pay $1,500 for a flight as she was unable to sit up. ‘After an injury like this you go into major debt,’ she said. ‘Digging out of debt for two years was very hard.’ In August last year, Annie’s sister spotted the unusual property through word of mouth; an RV that already had a sundeck and sunroom attached. Video capturing Annie working on the RV (Picture: Annie Wonderlich / SWNS) At first, Annie admits she struggled with seeing the property as a step forward. ‘I was like ‘God I thought by now after living in a van I’d make it,’ she said. Annie was set on transforming the old RV into woodland cottage (Picture: Annie Wonderlich / SWNS) ‘I lost all my work. I was staying in my mom’s attic to protect my mental health and physical health.’ Despite already spending around $1,800 on flooring, paint and renovations, Annie says there is “no budget plan” and she intends to continue improving the home over time. Sharing the renovation online has also brought unexpected attention, with viewers praising the peaceful lifestyle she has created. ‘Like I said, it’s not polished or perfect,’ Annie said. Annie admitted she was nervous about sharing the project publicly but says the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. ‘For me it’s such a big accomplishment and I was nervous but they have been supportive and saying they want to do it,’ she said. The restored RV was inspired by a visit to the cotswolds (Picture: Annie Wonderlich / SWNS) ‘They have been asking how they can do it and say, ‘OMG I’m stuck in a mortgage – this is my dream life.’ ‘What people resonate with 100% right away is how peaceful, how small and perfect it is.’ Annie’s costs per month Mortgage – $754.14 Utilities – $250 WiFi/other bills – $50 Renovations completed so far – $1,800