Elise and Pete’s Gleeson journey!
Buyers: Elise, 28 and Pete, 27
Occupations: Elise is a Civil Servant working for the Government and Pete is an Audiologist
Year of purchase: May 2024
Development: Bracks Farm, County Durham
Purchase price: £224,995
Mortgage cost: £1,019
House type: 4 bedroom, detached Carlow
After being together for around 10 years, Elise and Pete decided it was time to take the plunge into homeownership. As first-time buyers, they were excited to buy their first home together. They chose the Carlow house style, knowing it would be a beautiful home for them to grow into. “We wanted a home that we could make ours and have for a number of years. We waited a long time to get onto the property ladder to purchase our almost ‘forever home’,” they shared.
Gleeson stood out to them over other developers, offering more incentives and benefits. “Being first-time buyers, we were entitled to a free flooring package which was a massive bonus. We also made use of the Key Worker and Refer a Friend Scheme, meaning we received £1,750 towards options. We personalised our home with this money and really enjoyed picking our options,” they explained. Renting was considered, but they wanted the freedom to personalise their own home.
Their friends, who live in a Gleeson home up the road, introduced them to the refer a friend scheme. “I went to their home and loved their space. It was also great to ask them questions on how they were enjoying their home after 2 years of living in it,” they said.
One of the biggest surprises for them was the affordability of their energy bills. “Before moving in, there was a large emphasis from friends, family, and others suggesting energy bills would be a big cost. We were aware of the massive increase in energy costs over the last two to three years. We have been pleasantly surprised to see how affordable our energy bills are. Our home heats up quickly, and we spend around £30 to £50 on gas a month for a 4 bedroom detached house. It also helps that our home is zoned, so whilst the heating is on downstairs during an evening, there is no heating on upstairs.”
Their experience at Bracks Farm was fantastic. “Garry, our Site Manager, was amazing, keeping us up to date, listening to our concerns with buying a new home, and helping us understand the process. John, our Sales Executive, was also amazing, giving us weekly updates, answering any questions, and going above and beyond to make the process as easy as possible. The completion was right on time; our initial estimation was May to July 2024, and we moved in on 31st May, 2024.”
The couple love their new home and have already started making memories. “We loved hosting our first party, having family round for takeaway nights, and making each room ours. Hanging pictures and adding personal touches to our home has made for a cosy space for us to enjoy. Previously, we lived with our parents, and the freedom of moving into our own home has been really exciting. Most recently, we collected and decorated our Christmas tree for our first Christmas together in our first home. This has been amazing, adding little details and enjoying our space.”
Although they were a bit late in their build stage, resulting in the kitchen already being chosen, they were pleased with the upgrades. “We had the Harvard Pebble with brass handles, which included our boiler housing because we were at stage 12 of our build when we reserved. Upgrades we chose included dishwasher plumbing, power to the garage, an extra socket in the kitchen for our fridge freezer, a ceramic hob over the gas hob, and upgraded carpets throughout the house.”
They had considered a second-hand home but quickly realised they wanted a ready-made home rather than waiting for a renovation to be completed. “We loved the idea that it would be a blank canvas to make our own,” they said. The location also played a big part in their decision. “We wanted to be central to family and work, so Bracks Farm was perfect. The affordability of the home was central to their decision also; the price was right for us, and we believed we could not get a better deal for our money. We would absolutely recommend Gleeson to anyone; we loved our experience,” they concluded.
“We would advise anyone looking to buy their first home with Gleeson to do their research, and to get to know the Gleeson team at their preferred development. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and don’t think your questions are silly, any question is worth asking when it comes to making this big of a purchase!”
Elise is part of our Gleeson Ambassador programme, so head over to her Instagram @thecarlow and click follow!
Feeling inspired by Elise and Pete’s story? 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 with Gleeson begins today, click here to get started!
