Miejie and James opted for quality and a well-connected location when they were searching for their very own first home. The couple enjoy the location’s great proximity to everything they need for work and weekends, including lots of great local spots to explore with their fur babies Ralph and Luna. It’s been a very busy season for Miejie and James, planning their wedding, including a new dog in their family, and moving into a brand new home at popular West Hills.
Clear and simple purchase process
“Purchasing with Universal was a positive experience the whole way through,” says James. “Everyone in the Universal team was really easy to deal with. Nothing was too much trouble.” The couple found it helpful to have a range of information at their fingertips ahead of move-in day, including the ability to know sizing for their furniture decisions. “The whole purchase process was really good – easy, clear, and simple.”
Miejie adds, “Buying a brand new house and only paying such a small deposit with Universal Homes was a game changer for us. It would have been a deal breaker if that option was not on offer. We could not have done it financially otherwise.” To make their first home purchase, the couple combined their savings and their Kiwisaver withdrawals.
Picking the right home – and service
As the couple were searching for their home, they found the many varying options to view and consider to be a bit overwhelming. “We came across Universal Homes just searching online,” says James. “After the first Universal home we looked at, we fell in love with another one of their houses on a different street.”
“Universal’s New Home Consultant Shelley was awesome to deal with. We saw the house online and called Shelley to discuss the details. We viewed the home that evening with Shelley and signed up for it on the spot! Once we found the right home for us, the whole thing was much quicker than initially planned, or than we had envisaged. It was about six weeks from first contact to settlement. It all moved pretty fast!”
The couple are appreciative of the efficiency with which the Universal Homes team looked after them throughout the purchase process. “Shelley answered our constant first home buyer questions, and went above and beyond,” says Miejie. “Adrienne did the handover and was brilliant! Shelley’s husband even popped by the next day and removed the sign for us. They were all very thorough.”
Terrace home benefits
James explains that affordability was a big part of the decision-making when it came to selecting their new home. “Terrace home living appeals to us, primarily because it is cheaper, without sacrificing on internal space.” He grew up in England, where terrace homes have a long history of popularity. “It all comes down to perception.”
The couple had a few concerns before they moved into their new home, particularly about potential noise from neighbours. James explains how their worries were allayed; “We can’t hear our neighbours. They are a young family, and they aren’t hearable at all. The inter-tenancy walls have that well sorted which is a really good thing when it comes to daily life, privacy, and lack of noise from others intruding.”
A spacious home
“A clever use of space,” is the thing that surprised the couple the most about their new home. James notes, “From the outside on the street, the home doesn’t seem to look that big, but once you are inside it is quite spacious. It really opens up. Even the outdoor patio and garden area is a good size.”
Previously the couple lived in a variety of rentals with less livable room. “We have much more space now! It’s something that has been great about buying a brand new Universal home.”
Miejie and James looked at options across several locations and developers, as they compared homes and considered space and privacy. “Initially it felt a bit scary to commit to a purchase, particularly as a first home buyer,” says James. “But when we looked at the property in person, we were quite amazed at how well spaced out it all is. You aren’t on top of each other in these Universal homes.”
“Everything has been very thoughtfully designed and planned,” says James. “Each home is quite private from the others around it. Some of the other new homes that we looked at by other developers and built by other companies were a lot less private. There was more of a feeling of being sardines, and the layouts were not as well thought out as with Universal’s designs.”
Miejie adds, “Universal maximises the space available and uses it well so that it all counts. An example of the clever use of space that makes a real difference in day-to-day living is the guest powder room downstairs, fitting in under the stairs.”
That brand new feeling
The couple enjoy being the first to live in their brand new home, with all the low maintenance benefits and time savings that a new home entails. “It’s so nice to get that brand new feeling, and be the first people to live in this home,” says James. Among the new home perks the couple lists are less time spent on maintenance, easier cleaning, and the peace of mind afforded by the various new product warranties and guarantees.
“Having a Master Build guarantee with our new home, and all the appliance warranties for everything, made it all a lot easier to decide to purchase when it came to financial decision making,” James comments. Miejie adds, “The welcome pack was really helpful and clear, answering all our questions about changing suppliers for power, internet, and the other things we had not done before as first home buyers.”
Life at West Hills
James and Miejie are enjoying their new lifestyle at West Hills. “We love the location! It’s 12 minutes from Albany and 15 minutes to the CBD off-peak. Owning a brand new three-bedroom home feels so spacious. As well as the indoor living areas, we enjoy the outdoor living area too.” James adds, “Plus, I love that there’s a separate bath included in the bathroom layout!”
The Universal team would like to wish Miejie and James many happy years in their new home.
Trusted by Kiwis for sixty-five years
Three generations of trusted service to Kiwis ensures we understand the constantly changing landscape of New Zealand home purchasing. We design and build homes at varying price points and typologies including apartments, terrace houses, and freestanding homes. As an expert leader for quality, architecturally designed homes, we provide great value and simple buying terms, including no progress payments.
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.
