Buying a new build as a young family
We sat down with brand ambassador and mum of two Kealy Knights, to chat about her experience of living in a Persimmon home with young children.
All images belong to Kealy Knights (@no5alnwick)
For many new home buyers, moving house is about not just choosing the right home for you, but also for your children or any children you might be planning to have in the future. Space, layout, storage, safety, location – the list of considerations can seem overwhelming. Fortunately, with a new build, everything is made simple, explains Kealy, who also runs the Instagram account @no5alnwick.
Hi Kealy, lovely to meet you! Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your family?
Hey! I’m Kealy, I’m 25 years old, and I work in the insurance industry. My other half, Colby, is also 25 and deals with equity release inquiries. We have two beautiful children – our son Bowen who is 2.5 years old, and our daughter Blossom, who we welcomed earlier this year.
When did you buy your Persimmon home?
We decided to buy our first home in June 2020. I knew I wanted a new build, so we viewed a few Persimmon homes. We had rented in the past, but as soon as we reserved our Persimmon Alnwick on 14th June 2020, it felt very different and special that we could finally make a house into a home.
Why did you go for a new build over a traditional home?
We chose a new build because as a growing young family, we needed reassurance like having a warranty and the peace of mind that our home would be ready and waiting for us to move in without having to do any work to it structurally. We wanted a blank canvas that we could start to enjoy as a family straight away after unpacking.
The other main reason we brought a new build is because of the government schemes. We wouldn’t have been able to afford such a lovely home otherwise, and the fact that new builds have so many different options to purchase makes is a lot easier for first time buyers like us to afford a beautiful family home.
What was it that drew you to the Alnwick?
After viewing a few different house styles, I fell in love with the layout of the Persimmon Alnwick. My main priority was having a big enough bedroom for Bowen to grow into and to have a kitchen that had space for a dining area.
The bedrooms in the Alnwick totally surprised me – there are two double-sized bedrooms, both with plenty of room and bedroom one coming with extra storage!
The kitchen was also the perfect size for us. There is plenty of cupboard and counter space as well as enough space for a dining table, plus room for our son’s high chair next to the dining table.
How has your home accommodated for your growing family?
For a two-bedroom house, our Alnwick has so many storage areas. We have two storage cupboards - one under the stairs and one in the front bedroom. The understairs cupboard was the perfect size to store our pram and car seat while they were not in use.
We chose the back bedroom for Bowen as it’s more of a rectangular shape, so we thought it would be best for him to have as much room as possible. When we then decided we’d like another baby, the back bedroom was plenty big enough for two children.
Even with two children sharing, there is still so much floor space for Bowen’s soft play and for him to have room to play with his toy cars and track.
The room set up for two children works perfectly, and if anything, I feel more relaxed knowing my children are in the same bedroom.
Do you feel that new builds are a good choice for families with young children?
Yes, I would definitely recommend buying a new build to anyone expecting or with young children. The buying process was very smooth, the house is ready to move into as soon as you get the keys, and you know that it’s a safe place for children to grow up in.
Is there a sense of community where you live?
There’s definitely a sense of community on our estate. We have such lovely neighbours too and they also have young children. Everyone is always so friendly, and I’ve made some lovely friends here.
The location is perfect for young families, too. The nearest nursery is just a 10-minute walk away, and there’s a school being built right on our development, along with a few shops.
Finally, is there any advice you’d give to anyone buying a new home for their family?
My main advice would be to enjoy your build progress and ask all the questions you want. Also, to go and look at your new home, take a moment to breathe and just admire what you’ve achieved!
You can see more of Kealy’s stunning home on Instagram at @no5alnwick.
Show us your happy place!
Do you live in a Persimmon home with your family? We’d love to see how you make your space work for you and your loved ones. Tag us in your photos on Instagram using #lovemypersimmonhome for a chance to win a £100 Next voucher. Visit our Facebook page for terms and conditions.
