Emma and James were WDH tenants looking for a change of scenery, somewhere that would give them more space and to find their forever home.
They found out about shared ownership through the WDH website.
Emma said: “Even with working full time, we didn’t think we would ever save up a big enough deposit to buy a home. When we saw shared ownership, it seemed more doable for us.”
Shared ownership is a national scheme that allows you to buy a share of your home and pay affordable rent on the rest. This means a smaller deposit, smaller mortgage repayments and the flexibility to increase your shares whenever you're ready.
The couple weren’t sure where they wanted to move to next, but they had three requirements: three-bedrooms, a large kitchen and large garden. They found their dream home by accident while driving past the Pearson Croft development in Barnsley.
Emma said: “One day we were out and about near the area and fell in love with the house. We tried to get the process started as soon as possible and enquired about it before the home was available. This did delay the process a bit, but the team were great with reassuring us at every stage that things were on track.”
James and Emma are now settled into their new home and are looking forward to the future. Emma said: “Now we’re settled we’re looking forward to adding our own personal touches.
“If you’re thinking about shared ownership, I would recommend it. The relief of not needing such a large deposit is one of the best things. If you do go through the process, be prepared to send lots of documents and save a little extra to cover any fees from the process. The team will be there if you need them. Most importantly, enjoy it! We were both 37 and buying our first home and thought it was never going to happen. Trust the process.”