DEPOSIT BOOST HELPS FIRST TIME BUYERS ONTO THE HOUSING LADDER IN STAFFORDSHIRE

IT had to be new for first time buyers Callum Hughes and Emma Lainchbury who received a deposit boost to help them move sooner than anticipated.

The couple, both 24, had been living at home with their parents while they saved for a deposit for a place of their own.

They’d looked at new build homes across Staffordshire including those being built by Elan Homes.

Emma had a Help to Buy ISA she’d been saving in for a few years and they both saved hard for around 18 months to raise a deposit.  

“We cut down on a lot of eating out and joined the National Trust so days out were cheaper and we had at home date nights,” Emma explained.

They’d expected to be able to afford a deposit for a home of their own by September, but with a 5% deposit boost from Elan they reserved in spring and moved into their new home in May.

Callum, who works as a sales executive, said: “We wanted a new build because we didn’t want somewhere we’d have to do work to. We wanted a blank canvas, where no one else has lived and had heard how good the energy bills are in a new build home compared to older properties.”

Emma, who works in a primary school, recalled: “The house we’re in now became available because someone else had reserved it and then swapped to another home here. They’d already chosen the kitchen and the bathroom tiles, and it was pretty much ready to move into. It was a bit sooner than we planned but we reserved that weekend and moved in six weeks later.”

Their new home is a two-bedroom Adlington Special.

“It had the best of everything for a two-bedroom home including the living room at the front and an open plan kitchen and dining room at the back as we prefer that sociable space,” Callum explained. “The kitchen opens out onto the garden, which is great for barbecues in the summer and has a hard floor, ideal for coming in with muddy shoes.”

Because they hadn’t expected to move so soon, they didn’t have much to take with them but had around a dozen deliveries arranged to ensure they had everything they needed by the end of the first week.

Emma said: “We tried to get as much done as we could done in the beginning. We have so much decorating to do because we want to add our character. We’ve loved it from the start. The quality of the house is amazing – it’s practically perfect and we will definitely continue to buy new builds in the future.”

Callum added: “We had a proper snagger come in, but they only picked up on minor things.”

Emma described the location as “perfect” as their families live around the Tamworth area.

“It’s a nice area and my journey to work is now quicker. We didn’t want to be on a development of 100s of homes,” Callum added.

They’ve been charting the progress of their buying journey and how they’re styling their home on Instagram.

Before they moved in, they “met” fellow Elan homeowner and first time buyer Katie via TikTok after recognising the development and sending her a direct message.

“She’s the same age as us and we get on well. When we moved in, she offered to help us,” Emma added.

“We’ve been sharing decorating tips and as some of our neighbours are also first time buyers we’ve been borrowing things from each other.”

Elan is currently building and selling homes at two locations in Staffordshire. At Dosthill Gate three and four-bedroom homes are available from £299,995. Over at Lorne House at The Sidings, there’s a choice of two-bedroom apartments from £385,000.