From renters to homeowners! - Zach and Brooke

Ashbury’s community is growing by the day with over 1,000 people now calling the estate ‘home’. Soon to be included amongst their number is Health and PE teacher, and first-home owner, Zach Bond.

Currently renting just down the road in Charlemont with his partner, Brooke, and a few friends, Zach purchased land in Stage 14A in July 2020, and started building late last year.

He and his partner hope to move into their new home shortly and he couldn’t be happier about the purchase of his house and land package at the estate!

This month we talk to Zach to discover what made him choose Ashbury.

There are so many factors to consider when purchasing land and building your own house. What made you choose Ashbury?

“When I started looking to buy something, I think I visited pretty much every residential development in and around Geelong! I wanted to live somewhere that was fresh and new, with plenty of amenity, while still being close to everything. Ashbury just seemed to be the perfect location, close to the city, but also just a stone throw away from the beach. Plus, the estate itself is so well presented compared to many of the other estates nearby – it all just felt a little more polished.”

The sales process can sometimes be a pretty overwhelming and daunting process. What were your biggest challenges? And how have the Ashbury Sales Team helped you and supported you along the way?

“As a 25-year-old, I have to admit it was pretty scary at first thinking about building a home by myself. But Sharee from the Ashbury Land Sales Office was amazing. With her help, it was very easy to identify what I could afford to purchase as a first home buyer.

“The biggest challenge, predictably, was money – how would I be able to build a home to the standard I wanted within my budget? At the start I really struggled to understand the difference between building the perfect home and simply getting a foot in the door in the housing market – I have always wanted to have the biggest and best things right off the bat!

“However, I gradually came to realise that my first home is not going to be my forever home; it just needs to be the best home for me right now. So it has been very much a case of working out what I actually need today versus and what can wait until the future i.e. for when I’m starting a family for instance. Sitting down and working through various options with Sharee and my partner, was fantastic and showed me how  building in Ashbury is the perfect way to enter the housing market.”

How did you decide what you wanted to build?

“Well, I really wanted to build a decent-sized 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom house, and for it to be the home I would live in for the next 10 – 15 years. Plus, I wanted a reasonably large backyard. The great thing about Ashbury is that it offered a number of ideally sized blocks to choose from, which would enable me to achieve both of these objectives.”

Who is your builder and how did you select them?

“That ended up being a pretty easy decision! Not only did Sharee let me know early on about the rebate I would get if I built with Dennis Family Homes, after spending a few (long) days visiting various display homes and looking different builders and designs, Dennis Family Homes seemed like the best and most logical option. The company has been great to work with every step of the way and has definitely not disappointed so far!”

Any tips for anyone thinking about building their own home?

“Start looking early! Land prices have risen really quickly over the past couple of years, and across the board it the longer you leave it, the more expensive it is to enter the market – even somewhere like Ashbury which has great house and land packages to cater to plenty of different budgets.

“So, spending time getting to know and looking at what options are available within your budget is great starting point, and will definitely help when you finally decide to take the leap. One of the biggest tips I have for first home builders, especially when they’re relatively young like me and trying to enter the housing market, is to accept that you don't necessarily need all the bells and whistle right now. Get the essentials and a few extras, because for most of us, your first house is really just a foot in the door. You’ll have plenty of time to build up to your forever home; it doesn’t have to happen straight away.”

When do you expect to move into your new home?

“At this stage I’m expected to get the keys in around 6 weeks’ time, to coincide with the start of September school holidays – which is perfect timing for me being a teacher!”

What are you most looking forward to about living at Ashbury?

“Easy. Access to fantastic amenities and facilities! The Master Plan for Ashbury is next level – two football ovals, lots of other sports and recreation facilities, extensive parks, walkways and open spaces, a future primary school, a future community centre and more all coming to the estate. Being some close to the new Armstrong Shopping Centre is also great. Most importantly, overall the estate is beautifully landscaped and laid out, even at this point, which makes it a really warm and inviting place to walk and ride around.”

Would you recommend Ashbury to your friends and family? And if yes, what would you tell them?

“Totally! Since I purchased my block, I’ve told all my friends and family about Ashbury and my experience getting into the housing market. I’ve also encouraged them to check out Ashbury as quickly as possible if they’re serious about doing the same thing, because from what I can see, land here is selling super-fast as anyone worth their salt knows this is the best estate being built in Geelong.”