Welcome back to What I Own – Metro’s property series where we speak to homeowners about getting on the ladder.
This week, we’re having a nosy around Kelly and Darren’s two-bedroom flat in Kent.
Having previously lived in a house in Ashford, they realised that they wanted to be closer to family, so downsized when they bought in Ebbsfleet, which they liken to a ‘garden city.’
Now, they’ve put their own spin on the place, including a flamingo-inspired bathroom. Plus, they’re just 20 minutes from London on the train.
Here’s what Kelly had to say about their property journey…
Tell us about yourself!
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We’re Darren and Kelly, and we’re 41 and 44. I’m a hairdresser working in Sevenoaks, and Darren works as an analyst for a medical communications company.
Whereabouts is your property? What do you think of the area?
The property is in Ebbsfleet, which is like its own garden city. Darren remembers when the area was all chalk pits. It’s amazing how it’s changed.
We’re right next to Bluewater Shopping Centre, which is fab. We’re also within walking distance of Ebbsfleet International, so it’s only a 20-minute train journey into London.
When did you move in?
April 2024.
How much does your property cost?
£309,995.
How much was your deposit?
£70,000.
What is the monthly cost of living here now, both mortgage and bills?
Around £2,000. Our mortgage is 28 years at 4.8%.
How did you save up for your deposit?
We received money through inheritance, and we sold our previous property. Since Covid hit, it took us five years to get the Ashford property to a standard where we could make a profit on it. This ultimately meant we could afford a place in Ebbsfleet.
What was the process of getting a mortgage like for you? Did you find any parts challenging?
As the house was a new build, it limited our options as we bought off-plan. The offer would’ve expired prior to the build being completed, so we had to get a longer offer spanning six months.
How smooth was the buying process?
It was smooth. We obviously had to wait for it to be finished. Luckily, the buyers of our previous home were a young couple who lived close to Ashford and had family there.
It’s funny how these things work out, as to them, our old house was perfect due to the location when it was the stumbling block for us.
How have you made the property feel like home? What’s the inspiration for your interior decor style?
I’m fully in charge of décor style! We like bold colours, but mostly enjoy making it feel very welcoming. We have lots of pictures up of friends and family, and we have a feature wall on a corridor wall with lots of black and white prints.
What’s your favourite room and why?
The bathroom, which I decorated with a flamingo wallpaper feature wall and lots of pink. We also love the kitchen/living room, which is bright and spacious.
Do you feel like you have enough space?
As it’s just us (and two small dogs), it’s more than enough. The spare bedroom is great for inviting people over, and that bedroom is the one with the ensuite.
We preferred the size of the other bedroom, and we thought guests would like their own bathroom when staying. We’ve fitted two wardrobes in, alongside the fitted wardrobe the bedroom came with, and it doesn’t feel cramped.
Do you have plans to change the property?
Only very minor things. It’s perfect as it is.
What’s your favourite piece of furniture in the house?
The sofas. When we were in Ashford, we never felt comfortable buying nice furniture, as it was always a bit of a building site. It never felt totally done, so when we moved in here, we treated ourselves to a recliner sofa. It might seem like a silly purchase, but to us, it rubber-stamped us finally being in a home where we could do that.
What are your biggest property non-negotiables when looking?
We wanted it to be bright and comfortable. We knew a flat wouldn’t have the space a house did, so we needed to feel like it was spacious. As it’s a new build, we had to go by the show home, which, to be fair, ended up being very close to what we have.
It also helped a lot that we could choose things such as worktops, appliances, and the locations of the plug sockets. Even before it was finished, it felt like we’d put a stamp on it.
What do you want people to know about buying a home?
Don’t give up because what you thought might be your next move might not be the right one. We originally were going for a property very close to the one we got, and this was when the flats were a building site.
We were set on this first one, but there were factors in the buying process (additional fees) we weren’t happy with, so we walked away. We then enquired when the new build would be finished, and we were lucky to get a ground-floor corner plot.
Even if things fall through, keep at it, because it might lead to an even better property. Don’t be afraid to pull out if you’re not 100% happy.
Do you plan to stay here long-term?
Yes – this is our forever home now.
Shall we take a look around?
