After over a decade of renting together, Alison and Grant recently made the move into home ownership. The two first home buyers are now proud owners of a stylish apartment in centrally located Northcote. Over a coffee at their local favourite Aim High Café, the couple discuss their decision to purchase their own place with Universal Homes. “Everything went well, with no issues,” says Grant. “The team has all been so lovely, and the purchase process was very smooth.”
The search begins
“We have rented for about eleven years together, much further out where we are now,” explains Alison. “The landlord decided to sell the house this year. That sale really put pressure on us, as we had to decide what to do next without much time to house hunt.” The couple looked at renting a range of what they describe as “fairly awful places”, and quickly realised they would miss having creative control when it came to hanging artwork, changing wall colours, or making alterations to outdoor spaces.
Apartment answers
“Initially, our search to find our first home to purchase was a bit dispiriting,” says Grant. “The only houses we could afford were a bit awful and were not in good locations. We wanted to be handy to the CBD, and to public transport options. So, we started taking the idea of purchasing an apartment more seriously.”
Alison describes why purchasing an apartment appealed to them both. “It meant that we could get a brand-new home within our budget, rather than the less than appealing options we had been looking at.”
Buying with Universal
Grant explains, “We decided to search online, and found Universal Homes. We called sales consultant Ling and went to see the Northcote Showhome with her.” Alison adds, “We really liked what we saw at Northcote with Ling and Universal.”
The couple decided to head away and compare these homes with two-bedroom apartments on offer elsewhere. “We saw a lot of apartments, many of them new, but they weren’t in desirable locations. That’s where Universal’s Northcote apartments really stood out for us. The ongoing issue elsewhere was that other homes were all too small, and too far from public transport and bus routes. After that, we knew which one we wanted. This Universal home was the first one we saw – and we came back to it!”
Rooms with a view
Alison describes what initially appealed to the couple about their new home. “It has a great view. Both bedrooms are decent in size, and we love the balcony on the corner.” They enjoy the outlook and the view this offers each day. “We have sun from mid to late morning, until the end of the day. The sunset views are perfect for our end of day drink together on the balcony. You can look across and see kids playing in the park, under the Pohutukawa trees.”
Modern design
Describing what they enjoy the most, the couple explain that they love living in a brand-new home. “We particularly appreciate the double-glazed windows. The place we were renting prior was over 100 years old. It was beautiful, but its age was a major detractor in daily life.”
The couple are enjoying the layout as they settle in. “These homes are so adaptable,” explains Grant. “The interior spaces are really flexible and have good scope to change things around and make each room work for your lifestyle.” Alison adds, “The storage is good. There are corners and alcoves to use for our thousands of books! We also like collecting vintage and op shop finds, and we enjoy having space to display these pieces.”
“From the first viewing, we also like the security of these new homes,” says Alison. “Swipe card access, our location on the third floor, good public space lighting, and a secure front door, are all little things that add up to be amazing for everyday life. If we want to go away, we just simply lock and leave.”
The modern design appealed to the couple in the ease it provides for everyday living. Alison says, “The kitchen appliances are very efficient. It’s so much easier to clean a new kitchen and bathroom! I love how practical the laundry positioning is. Being located behind double cupboard doors is great as it’s easy to access but can be hidden away from daily view and from guests.”
First home buyer support
“No hitches!” This is how Grant describes purchasing with Universal. “Everything went well, with no issues. The team has all been so lovely, and the purchase process was very smooth.” Universal’s unique 12-month defects maintenance promise appealed to the couple, for peace of mind when purchasing.
A central location
The couple are thrilled with their new home’s handy central location and are able to walk to all the shops they need. “It’s so well connected! We have everything around us.” Grant outlines the method the couple used to search for new home locations. “Looking at a map, Northcote is almost as central as Newmarket or Grey Lynn. We just love that.”
Alison and Grant are looking forward to seeing how the development of the new shopping centre progresses around them and enjoying the local new parks and plantings as they mature. “We like all the walks around here, and the close proximity to these beautiful spots. We enjoy walks around Tuff Crater, and Smiths Bush too.”
Akoranga bus station is handily located close by, perfect for a short trip over the Harbour Bridge for Alison’s work. “We don’t need to drive,” says Alison. “We can walk to virtually everything we need: Simply Fresh for fruit and vegetables is just on the corner, with amazing produce. We love Beer Spot for a drink together. It’s only a seven-minute walk from our front door – not that we’ve timed it or anything! We can walk to the supermarket in a few minutes. Our car has mostly been sitting in the carpark.”
Own the New
As one of the largest and oldest residential developers in New Zealand, Universal Homes designs and builds high-quality, competitively priced, and in-demand homes in well-connected, popular locations.
We back the quality and workmanship of our homes, so that you can buy with confidence and enjoy all the benefits of a brand-new Universal Home. Our highly experienced team would love to support you each step of the way, through to move in and beyond.
Want to find out more about the First Home Buyer journey? Head to our handy guide full of helpful tips on where to start and what to consider.
