Welcome back to What I Own – Metro’s property series where we speak to homeowners about getting on the ladder.
When Kaspars first moved to the UK from Latvia, he knew that he wanted security and stability. And so, he decided to start saving for his own home.
By 2025, he’d met his partner, Elina, and they’d managed to save enough to put down a £15,000 deposit on a four-bedroom home in Wakefield.
They’d been through their fair share of landlords and desired a life where they didn’t need to ask permission to get a pet. Now, they have three cats.
Here’s what Kaspars had to say about their property journey…
Tell us about yourself!
My name is Kaspars, I’m 33, and I’m originally from Latvia. I live with my girlfriend Elina, and our three cats – Ula, Rudi and Amber, who are very much part of the family.
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I work as a lorry driver, while my partner works in customer service. We’ve built a life together here, and we’re really enjoying this chapter, especially having a home of our own that suits our lifestyle and gives us stability.
We met online, and we’ve been together for two years now. We’ve both lived in the UK for 10 years.
Where is your property? What do you think of the area?
In November 2025 I purchased a Keepmoat property in South Elmsall, Wakefield, at the Station View development.
It’s a very nice area and extremely convenient. Everything we need is close by, including local shops, schools, doctors and there are great public transport links. It makes day-to-day life much more comfortable.
How much does your property cost?
I bought my four-bedroom house for £250,000.
How much was your deposit?
Our deposit was £15,000.
What’s the monthly cost of living here now, both mortgage and bills?
Our total monthly cost, including the mortgage and household bills, is around £1,500 per month.
How did you save up for your deposit?
We worked extremely hard over the past few years to save up. It required a lot of discipline and commitment, but it was more than worth it in the end.
What was the process of getting a mortgage like for you? Did you find any parts challenging?
Saving for my home wasn’t easy, but it was incredibly rewarding.
The process was very stressful at times, and the most challenging part was making sure all the paperwork was filled in correctly, especially when dealing with solicitors.
Buying a new build made things much less stressful, as there was no chain involved and the process felt more straightforward and reassuring.
Can you share details on your mortgage (rate/term)?
Our mortgage interest rate is 4.7%.
Where did you live before this – were you renting or living with family?
Before buying our home, we were renting in Grimthorpe.
What made you want to buy rather than rent?
Owning a home has always been a dream for my family. Rent has become very expensive, and we also found it restrictive.
In rented properties, you’re not allowed to make changes such as painting walls or changing flooring, and often you aren’t allowed pets.
Previously, everything was controlled, and there were frequent inspections, which made us feel unsettled. We wanted the freedom and security of owning our own home.
How did you find this property? What made you choose it?
We were passing through the area one day and decided to stop and have a look. We immediately liked the location and the feel of the neighbourhood, and that’s what made us decide to buy here.
How have you made the property feel like home?
Although it’s still very much a work in progress, we’ve already begun personalising some areas to match our personal style with different colours and decor, but with three more bedrooms to decorate, there’s still plenty to do.
Over time, we’re looking forward to putting our own stamp on each space and making it truly feel like ours.
Do you feel like you have enough space?
Yes, we definitely feel we have enough space for the family. The house is very spacious!
Are there any problems with the property that you have to deal with?
No, we haven’t experienced any problems; we’re very happy with our new home.
What do you want people to know about buying a home?
One of the most important things is to make sure you choose a good solicitor. Having the right support makes a big difference during the buying process.
What are your plans for the future, in terms of housing? Do you plan to stay here long-term?
Yes, we plan to stay here for a long time. It feels like the right place for us to build our future.
Shall we take a look around?
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Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.