July 20th 2024.
Hello and welcome back to What I Own, Metro's property series where we chat with homeowners about their journey to homeownership. Last week, we caught up with Maddie Borge, a 23-year-old content creator who moved from Norway to London five years ago. This week, we're in Nottingham to meet Emily Smith, a 28-year-old who, with her husband, purchased a new-build property during the pandemic and transformed it into a colorful haven.
Emily and her husband initially thought the property was out of their budget, but they discovered a loophole that made it affordable for them. It was a game-changing moment and the rest, as they say, is history. Emily shared her property journey with us, so let's dive in.
First, let's get to know Emily a little better. She's 28 years old and lives in Nottingham with her husband, Jake. She works part-time as an NHS medical physicist in X-ray and spends the rest of her week creating social media content and working on various freelance projects. She's a busy bee and loves to dabble in different things.
Their property is located in a lovely suburb of Nottingham on a new-build estate. Emily loves the location because it's easily accessible to the city center and has all the necessary amenities nearby. They moved in November 2020 and the property cost them £298,000, which included an NHS discount that they were fortunate to receive. Their deposit was £15,000, which was 5% of the total cost. They also utilized the government's help to buy equity loan, which gave them a 20% top-up.
The monthly cost of living, including mortgage and bills, is approximately £1,250. Emily and Jake have been saving for their deposit since finishing university. They opened lifetime ISAs, which provided a bonus that could be used towards their deposit. The process of getting a mortgage was fairly simple for them as first-time buyers moving into a new-build property. They applied for the mortgage online and over the phone.
Before moving into their current home, Emily and Jake were renting a similar property outside the city. However, they always wanted the security of owning their own home and having the freedom to decorate and make it their own. When they stumbled upon the new-build estate during lockdown, they were impressed with the light and space of the property. It was love at first sight, but it was still just a hypothetical dream until they learned about the NHS discount, which made it possible for them to afford the house right away.
Since moving in, Emily and Jake have decorated almost every room in the house. They wanted to move away from the generic new-build style and add their own personal touch. The bright white walls that covered the house when they first moved in are now filled with vibrant colors and unique wall prints. Emily's interior decor style is all about creating a happy and joyful space that reflects their personality. She loves to add fun, bright, and modern elements while keeping it classy.
Her favorite room in the house is the living room, which overlooks the garden and is always filled with light. She believes it strikes the perfect balance between fun and sophistication, and she takes pride in her yellow sofa. Every corner of the house brings her joy, whether it's the gallery wall, the DIY art TV cabinet, or the whimsical cuckoo clock that still amuses her after four years.
Emily and Jake feel that they have enough space in their home. They have made use of every inch of space, using the second bedroom as a home office and the third smaller room as a dressing room. However, with a new addition to their family on the way, they are currently reshuffling everything to make room for their little one.
When asked about future plans for their property, Emily shared that they will eventually move as their family grows, but for now, this house is perfect for them. They initially thought of it as a five-year home, but they have been there for almost four years now.
Before we wrap up, let's take a virtual tour of Emily's colorful and vibrant home. As soon as you enter, you'll feel at home in her cozy reading nook, surrounded by cushions and a scented candle. The yellow sofa in the living room is definitely a showstopper, and the art pieces around the house add a touch of personality. The white kitchen is gleaming, and the fun yellow tap is a great addition. Emily even has her very own Nottingham cookbook, adding a personal touch to her kitchen. The bedroom and bathroom continue the theme of bright colors and fun decor, making it a happy place to be.
Emily's advice to anyone looking to buy a home is to focus on practicality and location and not shy away from being a DIY beginner. She believes that owning a home is a privilege, and she's grateful for the opportunity to add her own stamp to her space.
And that's a wrap on our chat with Emily. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us. If you have a story to share, don't hesitate to reach out to us at email. Until next time, take care!
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