New Home In Elgin Ticks All Boxes For Sam

The past year has been a whirlwind for 27-year-old Sam Fairweather from Elgin. Not only did he get on the property ladder, but he moved in with his partner Lana (30) along with her mini Maltese dog, and welcomed his own four-legged friend to the family – a Golden Retriever puppy named Parker.

It was the realisation of a long-time ambition for Sam, who’d dreamed about owning his own home for years – knowing it went hand in hand with getting a dog. But with a strict checklist, including a well-sized garden, ample space and direct access to country walks, finding the perfect house was a big task.

It was thanks to his mum that Sam found somewhere that ticked all the boxes – the four-bedroom detached ‘Cullen’ within Barratt Homes’ Findrassie development on the edge of Elgin, just a ten-minute drive to Lossiemouth where Sam works as an aircraft mechanic at the RAF base.

Sam said: “I’m originally from Norwich but fell in love with Morayshire after being stationed here for work six years ago. I’m very outdoorsy, so having great beaches, forest walks and mountains close by is perfect for my lifestyle. One of my favourite things about living in Elgin is that I could do the Park Run in the morning, followed by snowboarding in the afternoon! I love the freedom of life here.”

Prior to buying his home, Sam lived on-site at RAF Lossiemouth before moving into Lana’s flat and finally their new Barratt home in April 2022. Opting for the four-bedroom style means that they have room to grow and change the function of the additional rooms when required.

For now, that means a walk-in wardrobe for Lana and a ‘man cave’ for Sam, which he describes as “a relaxed place to play games, chill out and read books. I’ve got my Playstation, a leather vintage sofa and mounted TV and I’ve put my own stamp on the room by decorating it with vintage signs, a dart board and a Thor hammer coming out of the wall, which I couldn’t resist.”

Having two dogs in the house also took a bit of getting used to, with the couple grateful for the private garden where Sam spent many hours training Parker to become a certified good boy.

The open-plan layout and spacious kitchen were clear selling points as they meant Lana and Sam could share their culinary creations with friends and family. Sam said: “I work a half-day on a Friday, so in the afternoon I take the time to prepare a really nice dinner. Having lots of counter space is handy, and it means Lana and I are not in each other’s way when cooking.”

The couple have big ambitions for the garden when the time is right. Plans include a patio extension, a sun shelter and a cherry blossom tree. Sam’s already installed a hammock which he got great use of in the summer months, and Lana has her sights set on a wood-fired hot tub.

In terms of the quality of the home, Sam couldn’t be happier with it. He commented: “Barratt Homes were very responsive and quick to address any snagging. As a fan of DIY I’ve also enjoyed adding extra fixtures and fittings, mounting our large TV and starting various projects.”

The home is also proving to be cost-efficient to run thanks to modern building materials and solar panels installed on the roof. All Barratt homes are designed to be up to 58% more energy-efficient, which could save homeowners up to £3,100 per year on bills, based on the HBF ‘Watt a Save’ report published Feb 2023. In fact, since April, Sam’s gas bill has been less than £400, and he also makes sure to time the running of appliances to take advantage of the energy generated through the solar panels during daylight hours.

All in all, it’s been a lifechanging investment for Sam, who quipped: “I’m so proud of my house that I don’t think I could ever sell it.”

A range of three and four-bedroom homes are currently available at Findrassie, with prices starting from £239,995 - ideal for growing families and those looking to take the next step on the property ladder. A range of incentives are available, including a 5% Armed Forces deposit contribution scheme and a new scheme offering up to £30,000 towards a mortgage, deposit, moving costs or bills plus flooring.

Find out more about Findrassie from Barratt Homes.

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