Jade, 28, and Connor, 31, had been renting in Crewe for nine years with their two young children, when their landlord decided to sell. Left with little time to find a home, the couple found themselves with limited choices. While they had dreamed of owning their first home, balancing family life whilst saving for a sizeable deposit felt impossible, so they went searching for more affordable options.
This led them to discover Guinness Homes’ shared ownership development, Goddard Street. The site stood out to Jade and Connor instantly for its welcoming, bright, community feel without blowing their budget. The couple purchased a 40% share of their home using the 5% deposit option, which amounted to £4,800. “It’s a lovely place to live and the whole development is very welcoming, appealing and homely. On top of all that, the stunning homes are actually affordable, thanks to shared ownership.”
A smooth process
The process began in January, and the family moved in at the beginning of June that year. Although buying a house for the first time can feel daunting, the couple found themselves well supported throughout.
“The Guinness team had all the hard bits covered. The homebuying process was very well structured, and we were given a choice of plots, as well as solicitors to help guide us. We had additional support from the Guinness Homes team and our brokers, and everything we didn’t quite understand was broken down for us in an easy and digestible way. It couldn’t have been more accommodating.”
Location
Being a young family, location was extremely important when choosing their forever home. Jade and Connor wanted to stay in the local area so that their children didn’t have to move school, and they could remain close to their families and workplaces.
For Jade and Connor, spending time with friends and getting out and about is important, so living in close proximity to great attractions, leisure activities, and restaurants is ideal. Crewe Train Station offers excellent transport links to major UK cities, and Crewe itself is perfectly situated for easy access to countryside walks and bike rides, as well as an array of entertainment and retail spots. “We love the variety of activities that are available for our young family, right on our doorstep. Queens Park is lovely, there’s a local takeaway which has delicious food, and Nantwich town centre is not far away with plenty to do for the family.”
The dream home
The couple knew exactly what they were after, and it was essential that their new home had three bedrooms, a driveway, a large garden, and a high-specification kitchen. “Our new home offers everything we hoped for, and more. The garden is a real highlight for us – it’s a great size and perfect for our children to play in safely. Even having a kitchen with a dishwasher is an exciting novelty.”
Jade and Connor’s home consists of three spacious bedrooms, an ensuite, a family bathroom, a downstairs toilet, and a driveway with private parking. Like each home at Goddard Street, the downstairs has an open-plan layout comprising a modern, high-specification kitchen, along with a spacious dining and lounge area.
“We love spending time with friends and hosting, so having so much open space indoors and outdoors means our home is perfect for entertaining all year round! We’re eyeing up some outdoor furniture to really make the most of the summer months.”
Other highlights of their family home are the expansive entrance area and how bright the windows make the property. “The quality of the build has blown us away. We’re excited to decorate it and make it our own so we can truly settle in.”
There are now only four two-bedroom homes remaining at Goddard Street, starting at £82,000 for a 40% share. Homes are ready to move in now for a £99 reservation fee, and 5% deposit options are available.
For more information, contact the Guinness Homes team at goddardstreet@guinness.org.uk or call 01270 503526.
Discover Shared Ownership in Crewe at Goddard Street. A beautiful community in the Cheshire town of Crewe
