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For years, Fiona devoted her life to caring for others in the social care sector before qualifying as a nurse two years ago, but when it came to her own living situation, she longed for something better.
Raising her seven-year-old twins in a small, rented two-bedroom flat was tough work. The lack of space, the absence of a garden and the reality of her children sharing a bedroom made her dream of homeownership feel distant. That is, until she discovered Shared Ownership through Plumlife.
Where it all began
Fiona’s journey began in a modest flat that had once been just enough for her and her twins. When they first moved in, her children were just two years old, but as they grew, so did their need for space. The small rooms that once felt cosy now felt restrictive and the absence of an outdoor area for her twins to play weighed heavily on her heart. She knew it was time for a change, but buying a home on the open market felt like an unattainable goal, as it does to most of us!
That all changed when a friend told her about Shared Ownership. Until then, Fiona had never heard of the scheme but once she learned that it required a lower deposit and made homeownership more affordable, she felt a renewed sense of hope. Determined to find a way forward, she started her search and soon came across Plumlife.
She said: “My friend had bought a Shared Ownership property, so I had spoken to her, and she had talked to me about how low the deposits were. “Then, when I looked further into shared ownership, came across Plumlife and Calico Grove, which was in my area. It wasn’t too far from where I was renting a property before. “I really wanted to be on the property ladder and realise that on the open market the deposit is really high.”
Fiona’s dream home
When Fiona found the perfect home, she knew it was meant to be. The house had everything she had ever dreamed of—a spacious layout, a beautiful back garden, and most importantly, separate bedrooms for her twins. For the first time, she saw a future where her children could grow up in a home they truly loved.
For Fiona, the difference was gigantic. “Sometimes I just come downstairs and smile because it’s my home, and I’m happy to be here,” she said. “We have our forever home, we’ve got space, and I feel so grateful every single day.”
The affordability of the scheme was a game-changer. “I absolutely would recommend Shared Ownership for affordability and space. It’s given me my dream home,” she shared. Without the lower deposit requirement, she would have struggled to get on the property ladder.
What is Shared Ownership?
Shared Ownership is a way to buy a share in a home now with the option to buy more of it in the future. You pay a rent on the share of the home that you don’t own. Initially, you can buy the share of a home that you can afford, usually between 25-75% and then you’ll pay rent on the other share. Sometimes, this can be as low as a 10 per cent share.
Now, Fiona is a passionate advocate for Shared Ownership. “Shared Ownership has given me that foothold onto the property ladder, so I would recommend it to anybody and everybody. In fact, I actually do!” she said enthusiastically.
She wishes more people knew about the scheme, just as she once wished for a way to own a home, saying: “I’d never even heard of Shared Ownership and now we own our own home thanks to it.”
If you would like to find out more about Shared Ownership to see whether you can find your perfect new home, you can view all of our Shared Ownership developments here.
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