Northamptonshire couple move in together to work their way around Covid restrictions

A couple in Northamptonshire decided to purchase their first home together after not being able to see each other due to lockdown restrictions.

Jacqueline Sugrue, a project manager for a fire safety company, and Ben Harrison, an engineer, were living with their parents during the first lockdown last year and being apart during the pandemic made them realise that now was the time to buy.

The couple, who have both lived in Towcester all their lives, moved into their new three-bedroom home at Bellway South Midlands’ Farriers Court development in November.

Jacqueline said: “Ben and I have known each other since we went to school together and have been in a relationship for the last eight years.

“We had both been living in our parents’ homes and talked about moving in together, but with Covid restrictions meaning we couldn’t see each other, we decided just to go for it.

“It’s so nice to be able to live with each other. Now we are able to live comfortably and we have set up for our future together.”

First-time buyers, Jacqueline, 35, and Ben, 34, were able to take advantage of the Government-backed Help to Buy scheme to buy the home they wanted.

Under the previous Help to Buy scheme, the couple were able to purchase a new-build home with just a five per cent deposit and a 75 per cent mortgage. The remaining 20 per cent was provided in the form of an equity loan, interest-free for the first five years.

The couple knew they wanted a three-bedroom property so they would have all the space they needed, but it was the site’s location that really drew them to Farriers Court.

Jacqueline said: “The Somerby house type was right for us because of the house’s proportions. We love the kitchen/diner – we play a lot of board games so it’s perfect for that.

“Because there are just the two of us living here, we have been able to turn the smaller bedroom into an office and library.

“We both loved that Farriers Court is a nice and small development built on brownfield land, where there were only some old warehouses to be demolished on the site – this was a big plus for us.

“Everything is within walking distance and the town centre is very close, with a good choice of independent shops and bakeries.

“I travel a lot for my work, so the fact that it is located close to the M40 and the M1 means I have easy access to major routes and can get anywhere I want. Milton Keynes train station is only a 25-minute drive away as well, which has services that can take you pretty much anywhere.”

With this being the first time either Jacqueline or Ben had bought a home, they were very happy with the customer service they received from Bellway.

Jacqueline said: “The Bellway staff were brilliant. We didn’t have any snags and the site manager was on top of everything. He even helped us clear all the rubbish from when our furniture was delivered. You could not ask for a better service.”

Bellway is currently selling a range of three and four-bedroom homes at Farriers Court, with prices starting from £275,000 for a Somerby house type.

A Somerby showhome is also open for visitors to explore on an appointment only basis, in line with coronavirus restrictions.

For more information, visit bellway.co.uk or call the site on 01327 272831.