A home to call their own: Ross and Shauna's story
Buyers: Ross, 27 and Shauna, 26
Occupation: Learning & Development Manager and Social Worker
Date of purchase: December 2025
Development: Harriers Croft, Sutterton
Purchase price: £279,995
Mortgage cost: £1,307
House type: 4 bedroom detached Carlow
For Ross and Shauna, buying their first home was an exciting milestone they had carefully worked towards. By living with family while they saved, the couple were able to prepare financially and take their first step onto the property ladder with confidence.
Reflecting on their decision, Ross and Shauna explain: “We are both first-time buyers and took a planned, disciplined approach to getting onto the property ladder. We were fortunate to have lived with our parents previously, so we could save aggressively, build up a strong deposit, and put ourselves in the best possible position to buy our first home.”
Their choice of a four-bedroom detached home reflected their desire for space, stability and a future they could build together. “We purchased a four-bedroom detached house with the intention of growing into the space and making it a long-term home. Given how complex and stressful the buying and selling process can be in the UK, we wanted to get onto the property ladder with a home that would meet our needs for years to come, allowing us to avoid frequent moves and enjoy greater stability and peace of mind.”
With a purchase price of £279,995 and a monthly mortgage repayment of £1,307, affordability and long-term value were key factors in their decision-making.
When comparing their options, Ross and Shauna felt Gleeson offered the right balance of affordability, space and long-term practicality. “We chose a new-build home with Gleeson because it offered strong value for money compared to other developers we considered. We explored several options but found that competing developers did not provide the same level of space and overall offering for the price, making Gleeson the best choice for our needs.”
Interestingly, renting was never part of their plan. “We had never considered renting. From the moment we began our search for our first home, we knew we wanted to buy. Monthly rent and mortgage payments are basically the same, so we wanted to put down roots and invest in our own home rather than spend money on rent without building any long-term value.”
The journey that they had initially expected to be stressful, turned out to be a positive and exciting experience. “We were anxious about the process of buying a home, as we had only ever heard how stressful it can be and how many setbacks you can face. So, we were really surprised when our journey seemed to be smooth and simple, the journey was exciting and not stressful at all.”
From early communication with the sales team to regular updates and photos throughout the build, Ross and Shauna felt supported every step of the way, and since moving in, their new home has marked the start of an exciting new chapter together. “Life has changed in a really positive way since moving into our Gleeson home. We’ve been together for several years but hadn’t lived together full-time before, so it’s been a lovely new chapter and an exciting adventure as we continue to build our home and settle into life together.”
They also chose to personalise their home with several upgrades, enhancing both aesthetics and long-term value. “We chose to invest in several upgrades, including higher-quality carpets, bathroom tiling, an upgraded kitchen, and tiled flooring downstairs. These choices were important to us not just from an aesthetic point of view, helping the home feel more modern and finished, but also in terms of long-term value and potential resale appeal.”
The choice of incentives also gave them greater flexibility to personalise their home from the outset. “We used the Key Worker and first-time buyer assist scheme, offered by Gleeson, which we put towards upgrades to our home. This really helped us splash out on the options we loved.”
Their decision to buy a new-build home came after frustrating experiences with the second-hand market. “We hadn’t originally planned to buy a new build… After becoming quite disillusioned with the process, we decided to explore buying with Gleeson, which offered a much smoother and more reliable route into our first home.”
Practicality was another important factor. With Ross working as a Learning and Development Manager and Shauna as a Social Worker, their busy careers meant a new-build home offered the convenience of being move-in ready, without the need for immediate renovations.
Location also played into their decision making, offering both convenience and connection to family. “The most important factors for us were affordability, location, and convenience. Being close to main roads in Lincolnshire was a key consideration, and being close to our families was equally important to us so we could stay well connected and supported.”
The overall feel of the development also stood out to them, with its open layout and sense of space helping to set it apart. “We were attracted to Gleeson because of the space in the development; every house has space for at least two cars, which was important to us, as we were put off by other developments where the houses looked crammed together.”
Sustainability and the surrounding environment have also enhanced their experience. “Sustainability and local wildlife were definitely positive factors for us. Compared to other new-build sites we visited, ours had much more open-space, which really stood out to us.”
And it’s the small touches that help make it feel like home to the couple. “We really love that the development has everything it needs nearby. Nursery, school, community centre, it’s a lovely village full of community and nature. We have a pond on our development, and the ducks love it here; it’s so lovely to walk past them every day.”
Like many homeowners moving into a growing new community, Ross and Shauna are still seeing the development take shape around them. While they have met some lovely neighbours and enjoy the quiet village setting, complete with an active village hall and a strong local feel, they are also realistic about the challenges that can come with living on an active build site, from occasional service disruptions and access considerations.
Their energy-efficient home has helped keep monthly costs manageable, which has been particularly important as new homeowners. “Our energy bills have been affordable since moving into our home, which has really helped keep our monthly costs under control.”
They’ve also adapted well to new technology, including their Air Source Heat Pump. “We had no previous experience with an Air Source Heat Pump, but we’ve been really pleased with it overall, the good insulation in our home makes a big difference in retaining heat, which helps keep everything comfortable and efficient.”
As they reflect on their experience, Ross and Shauna feel positive about the decision they made and the journey they have been on with Gleeson. “We would definitely consider buying another Gleeson home in the future. Our advice to anyone considering a new build would be to go in with realistic expectations; it won’t be a perfect home straight away, if you understand that from the outset and approach it with patience, you’ll likely have a much smoother and more positive experience overall.”
With a range of 2, 3, and 4 bedroom homes available throughout the Midlands and North of England, your journey to finding your dream home could happen sooner than you think. Find your nearest Gleeson development and enquire with our Sales Executive today.
