Oliver and Abbie's Gleeson journey!
Buyers: Oliver, 25 and Abbie, 26
Occupations: Oliver is an Accountant at Gleeson Homes and Abbie works for the NHS
Year of purchase: April 2024
Development: Springfield Meadows, Chesterfield
Purchase price: £156,108
Mortgage cost: £930
House type: 3 bedroom, semi-detached Lisburn
As first-time buyers, Oliver and Abbie wanted a home that offered great value for money, a convenient location, and a touch of personalisation. Working at Gleeson, Oliver knew firsthand the benefits of choosing a new build and the quality of a Gleeson home, so was an easy choice for them when the right time came about. Here's their story!
In August 2023, Oliver and Abbie reserved their new home, a 3 bedroom Lisburn at their local Chesterfield development. "We were looking for a 3 bedroom and just really liked the look of the Lisburn both inside and out," Oliver shared. "The kitchen is so spacious, and it also helped being able to picture how our finished home would look with there being a Lisburn show home on the development at the time." By April 2024, they moved into their new home and began making it their own.
The couple's decision to go with Gleeson was driven by the value for money and the ideal location. "Buying your first home can be tough, but Gleeson provides great homes at a fraction of the cost of other housebuilders, making it easier for young first-time buyers like myself and Abbie to get on the property ladder," Oliver explained. "Also, the Springfield Meadows development is close to where we grew up, and the views are amazing, which was a great selling point for us."
Oliver and Abbie never really wanted to rent. "We saw it as dead money, and as we were lucky enough to be able to stick it out living with parents, this allowed us to save up for a deposit so that each payment was going towards owning our own home rather than paying a landlord," Oliver said. Their new home marked a significant milestone in their journey together.
The couple found that their energy bills were much more affordable than they had anticipated. "We estimated roughly how much they would be when we first moved in and started saving as we awaited our first bills. The pleasant surprise was that we had totally overestimated, and our bills have been much cheaper than we expected," Oliver noted. The entire buying process was smooth and enjoyable. "The journey was great. We initially only went up to have a nosy at the show homes, but after speaking with Catherine, the Sales Executive, and seeing our plot, we just knew we had to reserve."
Since moving into their Gleeson home, Oliver and Abbie have celebrated significant milestones. "The following month after we moved in, we went to the Dominican Republic on holiday and got engaged! Our wedding is booked for May 2026," Abbie shared excitedly.
Oliver's mum also purchased a Gleeson home and moved in just a week after Oliver and Abbie. "They were looking for a 4 bed detached and found the perfect property at Firbeck Fields after our recommendation to Gleeson," Oliver said. Additionally, a close friend's sister has just reserved a plot at Springfield Meadows after discussions with Oliver and Abbie.
Oliver and Abbie opted for several upgrades from Gleeson's optional extras range, including a kitchen upgrade, integrated appliances, tiling in the bathroom, and flooring throughout. "This made moving in so much smoother," Oliver mentioned. Their plot was a discounted market sale plot, providing a considerable discount on the true value of their home.
For Oliver and Abbie, the appeal of buying a new home was the convenience of moving into a property that needed no work. "It's so difficult for young first-time buyers to save up a deposit and have money left over to renovate a home. The positive of buying new was that the home needed no work doing to it at all and was ready for living in as soon as we got it," Oliver explained.
Looking ahead, Oliver and Abbie are open to purchasing another Gleeson home. "Location will play a huge part in our next purchase as we will be looking for our forever home, so providing we find the right site, it could definitely be another Gleeson," Oliver said. They love their current neighbourhood, which offers easy access to the M1, a great gym, plenty of shops, restaurants, pubs, and even a castle!
Oliver's advice to potential buyers is simple: "Place your reservation, you will not be disappointed. Purchasing a Gleeson home allows you to have a great quality new build home that's ready to move into but at an affordable price compared to other new build providers, so you still have enough disposable income left over to live life."
Feeling inspired by Oliver and Abbie’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!
