Welcome back to What I Own – Metro’s property series where we speak to homeowners about getting on the ladder.
The moment 29-year-old Sophie Marshall Clark and her fiancé Ben viewed their cottage up in Leeds in God’s Own County, West Yorkshire, they fell in love with it.
They ended up moving in in 2023, having previously lived in a flat just around the corner. They’d realised that with their combined savings, they’d be able to buy the home, saving themselves huge sums in rent.
The pair fell in love at first knock with the candyfloss pink front door, and since moving in last year, have made the place their own, priding themselves on nurturing a cosy, familiar space.
Here’s what Sophie had to say about their property journey…
Tell us about yourself!
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I live in West Yorkshire with my fiancé, Ben. I’ve freelanced for nine years working in design and innovation. I’ve got a big love for all things decor and design.
Whereabouts is your property? What do you think of the area?
We live just outside of Leeds. We often get comments thinking we live in the countryside, but our house is actually only 15 minutes from the city centre. It feels like we’ve got a good slice of both cottage and city living, with the local area having gorgeous little cafés and a good high street.
When did you move in?
We moved in September 2023.
How much did your property cost?
£320,000.
How much was your deposit?
£32,000.
What is the monthly cost of living here now; both mortgage and bills?
Between the two of us, we pay around £1,800, including our bills.
How did you save up for your deposit?
It was really just years of putting money aside and being quite strict with ourselves. There are no tips other than trying to resist the sneaky treats!
What was the process of getting a mortgage like for you? Did you find any parts challenging?
We had a mortgage advisor who made everything simple. I was pleasantly surprised that they do all the hard work for you, and let you know when and what they need. It was far less complex than I thought it would be.
Can you share details on your mortgage (rate/term)?
Our mortgage rate is 4.1%, fixed for five years, and the mortgage itself is across a total of 30 years.
Where did you live before this – were you renting or living with family?
Ben and I rented a flat just around the corner. We’d been living there for around a year and a half when this property came on the market.
What made you want to buy rather than rent?
It just made sense for where we were in our lives. We knew we wanted to stay in Leeds for some time, and the rent was going up in our flat.
We’d have ended up paying more there for a two-bed flat, so thought why wouldn’t we buy a house instead? It’s also just the nicest thing to be able to decorate your own home as you please.
How did you find this property? What made you choose it?
We used to walk past the house most days and had always said how lovely it was, and how it would be an amazing first home. We called it the ‘little cottage with the pink door’, so when one day we saw the for-sale sign, we thought we needed to go for it.
The viewings were completely booked, so we sent a letter to the owners to snag one, and they were lovely and managed to squeeze us in. The rest is history.
How have you made the property feel like home? What’s the inspiration for your interior decor style?
Growing up, all the women in my life have been very houseproud and had an eye for design. Nostalgia is a big thing for me, and I always wanted my home to feel cosy, familiar and timeless.
Ben and I both just enjoy choosing things we love without overthinking whether it all goes together. I’d describe it as an eclectic and cosy mix of bits and bobs.
What’s your favourite room and why?
Definitely the lounge. We installed the log burner last year and built the alcove units ourselves. It’s been a labour of love and taken the entire year to get sorted, but now it’s the cosiest spot to snuggle up in and watch films with family.
Do you feel like you have enough space?
Just about! We’re lucky that we’ve got a basement and attic so plenty of storage space. Ultimately, it is two bedrooms, so at some point we’ll need to move – but it serves us well for what we need right now.
Do you have any plans to change the property?
No. It’s small but also doesn’t have much land around it, so we’ve not got much ability to build further. We’ll continue to add finishing touches, and we’ve got some gorgeous blinds coming in the new year for the study.
Are there any problems with the property that you have to deal with?
Like any old property, you’re always going to find little things. It’s very wonky, so when we’ve been adding shelving and built-in units, things just take longer. But it is all part of the charm.
What do you want people to know about buying a home?
I don’t think many people tell you that yes, you need the deposit, but you also need a cushion of cash to look after any teething issues and get the basics bought. So, save that little extra so you’re slightly more comfortable moving in and can deal with any issues without too much financial stress.
I’d also say, you’ll be better at DIY than you think! Give anything a go – you can always repaint or rebuild, but we’ve saved so much money just trying it ourselves.
What are your plans for the future in terms of housing? Do you plan to stay here long-term?
We’ll be here for a good while. If we could, we’d never leave! It will end up being a space issue for us, but we’re hoping to get a good five years in this house.
Shall we take a look around?
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