Welsh couple fly the nest thanks to Help to Buy
A couple who have been together for more than 12 years have finally bought their first home thanks to the Help to Buy Wales Scheme.
Chris Hall and Laura Jones began dating during high school, but were still living with their parents up to the age of 30.
But after saving up enough for a five per cent deposit on a four-bedroom detached house at Bloor Homes’ Gatewen Village development in New Broughton, Wrexham, Chris and Laura have now flown the nest.
And what’s more, the couple are now engaged to be married, after Chris proposed to his long-term girlfriend on the day they get the keys to their new property.
Chris and Laura began looking for a home of their own about 18 months ago, and said that Bloor’s Gatewen Village “ticked all the boxes.”
Chris, who works at a cycle shop in Wrexham, said: “We were in no massive rush and we didn't put a timescale on it. The most important thing was finding somewhere we both loved and Gatewen Village ticked all the boxes.
"We liked it because it is quite rural and has a really nice setting. My parents live in Dodleston near Chester which is out in the country and this has a similar feel to it.
“Moving house has been stressful, as it is for everyone, but the Bloor sales advisors have been really good and helped us every step of the way.”
Laura, a retail manager for Next in Ellesmere Port, said: "I love the house. The kitchen is my favourite part. I have always wanted a big kitchen. The area has got a rural feel and is in a really good location with lots of good shops close by.”
Chris and Laura purchased their new home using Help to Buy Wales, a scheme which enables buyers to secure a new property with just a five per cent deposit and 75% mortgage. The remaining 20% is provided by the Welsh Government in the form of an equity loan, interest free for five years.
Chris said: “Without Help to Buy we would not have been able to go for this particular house. It was definitely something we needed.”
Chris revealed he had been planning to propose ever since he and Laura had saved up enough for the deposit back in April, adding: "We've been together for 12 years and I just felt it was the right time. I've been thinking about it ever since we got the deposit and I thought it would be nice to do it on the day we got the keys.
"I had planned in my mind what I was going to say but within a few moments Laura had just started crying her eyes out because she could tell what was coming, so I skipped to the end and she said yes.
"I was absolutely thrilled. I was quite confident of getting the right answer because we have been together for so long, but it was still a huge weight off my shoulders because I had been thinking about it for such a long time and the build up to it had been playing on my mind."
Laura said: "I had a bit of an inkling that Chris was going to propose but I wasn't 100% sure. It was a very emotional moment, especially with it being the same day we moved into our first home together. It was typical of him, as he is a very romantic person."
For more information call 01978 896774 or visit www.bloorhomes.com.