Lucy and Ben share their journey of skipping the first step on the property ladder. They bought a three-bedroom house in Cheshire, transforming it into their dream family home.
Congleton: Buying a home can be tough, especially for young folks today. With rising rents and house prices, many are still living with their parents. It’s a real struggle.
Lucy Tallen, 29, and her partner Ben, 31, decided to save hard. They skipped vacations and nights out to save for their first home. Instead of starting small, they aimed high.
They bought a three-bedroom detached house in Cheshire for £260,000. After some renovations, they now enjoy their dream home with their six-month-old baby.
Lucy shared her story with the Manchester Evening News. She and Ben lived with her parents while saving up. But when the pandemic hit, they had to rethink their plans.
“We’d been saving for years, but Covid pushed us to act,” Lucy said. They were worried about rising prices and competition in the housing market.
After getting a mortgage in principle, they jumped into house hunting. But they faced stiff competition. “We found houses with 30 offers on them,” Lucy recalled.
They wanted to skip the usual first step of buying a small house. “We aimed for something bigger right away,” Lucy explained. They were looking for a fixer-upper, not a new build.
They found a property they liked, but it was already sold. Luckily, the previous buyer fell through, and they got a chance to view it. “We were up against a few people, but being first-time buyers helped us,” Lucy said.
The house needed some work but had great potential. Lucy loved that it was well cared for but outdated. “It was built in 1989 and needed a modern touch,” she said.
They became homeowners in May 2021 and moved in two months later. They started renovations right away, focusing on the bathroom first due to plumbing issues.
They also had to secure the house against potential break-ins. They replaced windows and doors and installed a new boiler. “It was a big expense, but worth it,” Lucy noted.
They tackled many DIY projects themselves to save money. “We did a lot of the painting and ripped out old fixtures,” Lucy shared. They wanted to make the house feel like home.
Despite some worries about renovations, Lucy found the process went smoothly. “We didn’t face many problems, which was a relief,” she said.
However, the financial strain was tough. “We sacrificed a lot to make this work,” Lucy admitted. While friends enjoyed vacations, they focused on their home.
They finished renovations just in time for their baby, Grayson. “We wanted everything ready before he arrived,” Lucy said. They even created a nursery for him.
Lucy described their home style as warm and minimal. “It has personality, not just a bland look,” she explained. They worked together on design choices, which sometimes led to debates.
She gave a virtual tour of their home, highlighting the open layout. “The kitchen flows into the dining room and living area,” she said. They also have a nice garden space.
Looking ahead, Lucy said they plan to stay for a few years. “We might extend if we have more kids,” she mentioned. They love the area and feel attached to their first home.
“This house is a work in progress,” Lucy added. They’re excited about the journey ahead and continue to share their updates on social media.
